Sustainable aviation fuels in Southeast Asia: A regional perspective on bio-based solutions

This report provides an overview and perspectives on the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Southeast Asia. It estimates the potential volume of SAF that can be produced from sustainable feedstock in the region, and assesses opportunities for energy crop production on under-utilised low carbon land. It also offers an economic assessment of various ICAO-approved pathways through techno-economic analysis in selected countries with planned SAF projects.

Policy frameworks and investment activities within the region are also reviewed, and strategies offered based on to respective countries’ resources. Finally, future perspectives regarding SAF in the context of energy transition, the aviation sector and SAF development within the region are presented, having been discussed and reviewed by country representatives and industrial experts via a series of workshops and interviews.

The findings of this report emphasise the urgency of accelerating the sustainable scale-up of biofuel supply chains in Southeast Asia. In the near term, biofuels remain the most viable option for significantly reducing aviation emissions. However, securing feedstock, especially from energy crops, is not something that can be achieved overnight; rather, it requires strategic planning, infrastructure and investment. Yet, careful planning, with due consideration of social dynamics, should begin as soon as possible to minimise the risk of unintended environmental impacts.