S1E108: Plane speaking: Is sustainable aviation fuel really green?

Can sustainable aviation fuel help airlines rein in growing greenhouse gas emissions? Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Most of us enjoy flying, especially for that much-needed holiday break. But most of us also know that flying produces lots of greenhouse gas emissions and that taking plane trips can be the single biggest component of our carbon footprint each year.  Plane and engine manufacturers have been pretty good at achieving efficiency gains over the years. But international aviation is growing quickly. Without strong action, emissions from the sector will double or even triple by 2050. One immediate solution being offered is sustainable aviation fuel or SAF for short. But how green is it? In this episode, ST's climate editor David Fogarty chats with Mr Sami Jauhiainen, regional vice-president for renewable aviation at Neste, a Finnish refining company. It has recently expanded its operations in Singapore and is now a major producer of SAF.  Highlights (click/tap above): 1:11 What is sustainable aviation fuel and how is it made? 4:14 Does Neste use any food crops to produce the fuel? 9:07 Current global demand for SAF 11:59 Environmental benefits and emissions reductions from using SAF 18:07 The current cost of SAF? How will the costs fall?  Produced by: David Fogarty ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang Edited by:  Hadyu Rahim Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6EV  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow David Fogarty on X: https://str.sg/JLM6 Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu --- Discover more ST podcast channels: COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #greenpulseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.