A Regional Alliance for Climate-Smart Aviation
Aviation in the Asia-Pacific region stands at a strategic crossroads. With travel demand rising and climate challenges intensifying, the sector must reimagine how it fuels its growth. Enter Green Fuel Forward—a regional initiative jointly launched by the World Economic Forum and GenZero. This program is not just another climate commitment. It represents a shift in how the aviation ecosystem across Asia-Pacific views its role in the energy transition.
Revealed at the GenZero Climate Summit 2025 in Singapore, Green Fuel Forward aims to build practical, scalable solutions to accelerate the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel across the region. In doing so, it responds to the urgent need for strong and credible market signals that support the emergence of low-carbon jet fuel supply chains.
A Practical Framework with Global Relevance
Green Fuel Forward is not a broad pledge or high-level statement. Instead, it is a structured program that offers technical tools, learning platforms, and operational frameworks to guide stakeholders through the emerging landscape of sustainable aviation fuel. These include support for book and claim systems, emissions reporting methodologies, and environmental integrity assessments.
The initiative opens doors not only for leading aviation brands but also for companies from various sectors that influence or depend on air travel. Participants already include Singapore Airlines, Qantas Group, Air New Zealand, Boeing, DHL, DBS Bank, and UOB. These stakeholders reflect a growing understanding that decarbonising aviation is not only an airline issue—it is a shared challenge and opportunity.
Why Sustainable Aviation Fuel Deserves Urgent Attention
Sustainable aviation fuel has gained global recognition for its ability to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to traditional jet fuel. However, global supply remains limited and expensive, and uptake varies widely between regions. This is where Asia-Pacific has a chance to lead rather than follow.
The region benefits from multiple advantages. It has access to a diverse range of biomass feedstocks, an expanding air travel market, and a policy environment that is increasingly aligning with long-term climate objectives. Initiatives like the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint offer a blueprint for how governments can provide stability and guidance to emerging SAF markets.
Building Knowledge Through Action
One of the most powerful features of Green Fuel Forward is its emphasis on real-world learning. Through regional workshops and pilot purchases of SAF and SAF certificates, participants can gain first-hand insights into the logistics, pricing, and regulatory nuances of clean jet fuel markets.
This practical focus is critical. By demystifying technical terms and aligning business incentives with sustainability goals, Green Fuel Forward removes many of the barriers that have previously slowed SAF adoption. It does not simply tell stakeholders what to do. It shows them how to do it and offers a space to learn from peers facing similar challenges.
Aligning Local Action with Global Ambitions
Green Fuel Forward contributes directly to global climate goals, most notably the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s target of a five percent reduction in jet fuel carbon intensity by 2030. While this goal is ambitious, it is attainable—provided the right tools, partnerships, and demand mechanisms are in place.
The Asia-Pacific region can play a leadership role in this effort. Its influence stems not only from its size and growth but also from its diversity. With a mixture of mature and emerging markets, regional innovations have the potential to scale globally and inform international best practices.
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Market Readiness
Despite growing awareness of sustainable aviation fuel, many companies still struggle to translate that awareness into action. Uncertainty around certification, supply reliability, and regulatory compliance can hinder even well-intentioned organisations from making meaningful progress.
Green Fuel Forward addresses this by offering tailored guidance to stakeholders across the aviation value chain. From procurement teams to sustainability officers, participants receive support to align internal processes with external expectations. This includes ensuring that SAF-related claims are credible and verifiable, a crucial factor for corporate reporting and stakeholder trust.
The Business Case for Collective Action
As more companies seek to align with climate and ESG goals, there is growing interest in shared platforms that reduce risk and enable experimentation. Green Fuel Forward meets this need by creating a trusted space where technical and commercial knowledge can be exchanged.
This format also helps to de-risk early-stage investments. As more buyers signal consistent interest in SAF, producers can plan with greater confidence. This in turn can improve cost structures, drive innovation, and create a virtuous cycle that benefits the entire ecosystem.
Energy Resilience and Technological Innovation
While most conversations about sustainable aviation fuel focus on emissions, there is another dimension worth highlighting—resilience. By reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels and diversifying energy inputs, SAF can enhance regional energy security. This is particularly relevant in the Asia-Pacific region, where fuel imports often dominate aviation costs.
Moreover, scaling SAF will likely stimulate research and development in low-carbon technologies across sectors. From feedstock cultivation to refining methods, each stage of the SAF supply chain presents an opportunity for innovation and job creation.
A Broad Invitation for Participation
Green Fuel Forward does not restrict membership to large corporations or major carriers. Its design is intentionally inclusive, inviting all aviation-linked companies across Asia-Pacific to engage in shaping the region’s clean jet fuel future. Whether a firm is procuring air travel services, managing logistics, or financing infrastructure, its involvement can help move the needle.
This broad approach is not just equitable—it is strategic. Decarbonising aviation requires engagement across sectors, and the success of SAF adoption depends on the alignment of buyers, producers, regulators, and financiers.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for a Balanced Future
Green Fuel Forward is more than a regional program. It is a blueprint for how aviation can evolve—without losing sight of growth, safety, or commercial performance. By focusing on education, collaboration, and evidence-based action, the initiative stands out as a practical model for climate-aligned progress.
The journey toward sustainable aviation fuel is just beginning, but the foundation is being laid with care and clarity. Asia-Pacific is not waiting for others to set the pace. Through Green Fuel Forward, it is writing its own roadmap, grounded in regional strengths and global aspirations.
As the world watches how aviation will adapt in the face of climate urgency, initiatives like this will serve as essential proof points. They show that progress is not only possible—it is already underway.