Advancing development, adoption of SAF through a pragmatic, inclusive, collective global framework

Chee (Photo: Singapore's Ministry of Transport)

Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s acting minister for transport, attended the third International Civil Aviation Organization Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nov. 20-21 where he delivered a high-level statement on advancing the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through a feasible global framework that is pragmatic, collaborative and inclusive.

CAAF is one of ICAO’s primary platforms for member states, industry bodies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss the decarbonization of international aviation, particularly through the use of SAF.

The third edition of the conference, CAAF/3, aims to review the 2050 ICAO Vision for SAF and define a global framework for cleaner energy in aviation.

In his statement, Chee outlined the importance of a global framework that signals the aviation industry’s commitment to decarbonization, provides demand certainty to fuel producers and financing institutions, and mobilizes innovation, investments and financing to scale up global SAF development.

He said the global aviation sector should establish a quantified goal for SAF, but this should be done via a pragmatic and realistic approach.

Singapore proposed adopting a range for the quantified goal, with a pragmatic and credible lower bound, and a realistic yet ambitious upper bound to reflect the collective aspirations of member states, which ICAO and the international aviation community could adopt to spur SAF production and investments.

Chee highlighted that the framework should be fuel, feedstock and technology neutral, and should adopt an approach that is backed by scientific evidence, recognizing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation sustainability criteria as a single global standard for determining feedstock and fuel acceptability.

Singapore is open to collaborate and partner with other states to accelerate the reduction of aviation’s carbon emissions.

Singapore is also committed to actively supporting ICAO in international aviation sustainability and climate action for the sustainable growth of aviation.

Chee also participated in a ministerial high-level panel on the importance of cleaner energy for the future of aviation.

He stressed the importance of taking a balanced approach, promoting collaboration, focusing on action-oriented outcomes, and remaining inclusive so that no country is left behind in the transition.

On the sidelines of CAAF/3, Chee met with ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano.

Chee and Sciacchitano had a fruitful exchange on ways to advance the production and use of SAF in support of ICAO’s long-term aspirational goal.

Chee also met with his counterparts from other nations as well.