The aviation industry is entering a decisive decade in its journey toward decarbonisation. India, with its vast agricultural resources and growing energy innovation, is taking significant steps to align with global sustainability frameworks. A recent collaboration between the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) signals a pivotal shift.
This partnership is focused on developing capacity across sugarcane-producing states to support the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). By embedding internationally recognised certification standards, India is preparing its supply chains to meet the environmental and traceability demands of modern aviation.
Why Sugarcane Matters for SAF
Sugarcane has long been central to India’s rural economy. Now it is also emerging as a key contributor to cleaner skies. Ethanol derived from sugarcane can be upgraded into SAF, reducing reliance on fossil-based jet fuel.
By focusing on Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, the country’s top sugarcane producers, the initiative aims to connect local agricultural strengths with global aviation’s urgent need for low-carbon fuels. This approach also offers new opportunities for rural communities to participate in the bioeconomy.
Building Capacity with Certification
At the heart of this initiative is the RSB ICAO CORSIA Certification. This globally respected framework ensures that SAF is not only produced but also sourced and tracked responsibly across the supply chain.
The certification guarantees three crucial outcomes:
- Responsible feedstock sourcing to avoid environmental harm
- Full supply chain traceability to build trust in the fuel’s origins
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that aligns with international aviation goals
By adopting these standards, India is laying the foundation for a credible and future-ready SAF ecosystem.
Empowering Farmers and Local Enterprises
Beyond technical compliance, the collaboration places strong emphasis on education and outreach. Workshops tailored to regional contexts will train farmers, mill workers, and small enterprises.
This knowledge-sharing effort is especially valuable for smallholder farmers, who often face challenges in adopting new technologies. With the right tools and training, they can become active contributors to a greener aviation future.
Such empowerment also strengthens rural livelihoods, ensuring that sustainability does not come at the expense of equity.
Grassroots Leadership for a Global Goal
The success of this programme rests not only on technology but also on the people who drive it. By building grassroots leadership within sugarcane supply chains, the initiative ensures that SAF adoption is deeply rooted in local realities.
This creates a model where sustainability, economic inclusion, and technological advancement move together. India’s sugar-based bioenergy sector thus becomes more than just a producer of fuel—it evolves into a driver of social progress.
India’s Role in the Global SAF Landscape
India has already established itself as a founding member of the Global Biofuels Alliance, showing its commitment to leadership in sustainable energy. The new partnership between ISMA and RSB strengthens this position by creating practical pathways for SAF development.
With abundant feedstock potential, strong policy direction, and international cooperation, India is well-positioned to influence the global aviation industry’s transition to low-carbon fuels.
A Balanced Approach to Energy Transition
The SAF Horizon project, supported by Boeing, reflects a holistic vision. It recognises that environmental responsibility must go hand in hand with economic resilience. By balancing sustainability with social equity, the initiative sets a precedent for what a just energy transition should look like.
This balance also mirrors the broader goals of sustainability consultancies worldwide, ensuring that every technological leap is matched with responsibility toward people and the planet.
Conclusion
India’s sustainable aviation fuel journey is no longer a distant ambition. With the ISMA–RSB partnership, the country is creating a framework where sugarcane producers, local enterprises, and global aviation stakeholders collaborate toward a shared goal.
The project illustrates how local agricultural strengths can be harnessed to solve global challenges. It also shows that sustainability is not only about reducing emissions but about creating inclusive opportunities and building resilient systems.
As India continues to invest in SAF capacity-building, it is shaping a future where cleaner skies, stronger rural communities, and international cooperation come together seamlessly.
Be part of the global conversation on decarbonising flight.
Aviation Carbon 2025 registration is open – reserve your spot now.