Why We Need Sustainable Aviation Fuel To Help Industry, The Environment, And Rural Communities

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is one of the leading sustainability initiatives of the aviation sector. Jet fuel emits a tremendous amount of CO2 and other greenhouse chemicals yearly. Moreover, inefficient airport practices and in-flight navigation burn more fuel than necessary. SAF helps mitigate some environmental impacts while still fulfilling the power requirements. And there are other benefits. This article looks at how SAF production can help society at large but offers even more benefits to rural communities.

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Sustainable Aviation Fuel Is Helping Curb Emissions

SAF is comparable to traditional jet fuel in terms of its qualities but leaves a reduced carbon footprint. Compared to traditional jet fuel, SAF may, based on the feedstock and technology used to create it, cut life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by a significant amount. Moreover, some developing SAF approaches have a net-negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

The reduced carbon emissions of SAFs make them an essential answer for decreasing aviation GHGs, which, according to the US EPA, account for about 9%–12% of the country's total emissions of greenhouse gases from transportation.

SAF Demands An Enormous Amount of Feedstocks

The US DOE has estimated that one billion dry tons of biomass may be harvested sustainably in the United States each year. This amount of biomass is sufficient to create fifty to sixty billion gallons of low-carbon biofuels. The industry term for biomass as a precursor to sustainable fuels is "feedstocks."

Common feedstocks for SAF in the US are:

• Agricultural waste
• Wood mill byproducts
• Forest detritus
• Municipal solid waste
• Manure and treatment plant refuse
• Corn and vegetable oil seeds
• Fats, oils, and greases
• Biofuel crops
• Algae

This list of feedstocks represents an enormous source of energy. It is enough to satisfy the anticipated fuel demand in the US aviation industry. Moreover, these resources can generate additional amounts of low-carbon fuel for other vehicles. Finally, there is enough available to sustainably make essential bioproducts and renewable chemicals.

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Biofuel Crops Can Benefit The Industry, Environment, And Economy

While lowering GHGs is the primary impetus behind developing SAFs, other noteworthy benefits exist. For example, cultivating, collecting, and manufacturing SAFs from sustainable waste materials will result in a performance boost for jets and an environmental and economic bonus for rural areas.

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Aircraft Pollute Less

Because many SAFs have a lower percentage of aromatic compounds, they can be burned in airplane engines more cleanly. This improved combustion results in reduced discharges of hazardous substances into the local atmosphere near airports during takeoff and landing operations. Aromatic chemicals can also be the foundations of contrails, which can make the effects of global warming even worse.

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More Biodiversity And Carbon Sequestration, Less Erosion And Waste

Farmers can reduce erosion and improve the quantity and quality of water via biomass cultivation. In addition, biofuel crops have the potential to strengthen biodiversity and raise the amount of carbon contained in the soil. Both of these phenomena can potentially benefit any farmer that aims for sustainability.  

In addition, using biofuel feedstocks as cover crops can reduce nutrient losses from erosion. Moreover, the presence of such crops can even improve the soil quality, helping the farm maintain high productivity levels.

Moreover, the knock-on environmental and economic effects benefit the entire region. For example, producing SAF from refuse like manure and wastewater not only lessens the burden of pollution on waterways, but it also prevents the emission of the potent greenhouse gas methane, which is one of the primary contributors to global warming.

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Rural Communities See More Jobs, And The Effect Spreads

Farmers in the United States have the opportunity to increase their income in the off seasons by supplying feedstocks to a newly developing SAF industry. However, the economic impact does not stop there. Since the US is the world's largest supplier of biofuels, this dedication to sustainability helps our national economy, generates new employment opportunities, and lowers our carbon emissions.

Suppose we encourage more rural cultivation of SAF feedstocks. In that case, it will help maintain the vigor of our biofuel sector and forge new economic opportunities - generating and guaranteeing career options all throughout the country. Such job opportunities include:

• Farm employment and other roles that support agriculture
• Construction for biorefineries
• Manufacturing for biorefineries
• The whole aviation industry

Rural communities stand to benefit hugely from an increase in SAF consumption. However, the perks don't end with farmers. They carry over to the rest of society, improving the economy wherever the aviation sector has a presence.  

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SAF Builds Aviation Sustainability From The Ground Up – Starting With Rural Communities

It may seem counterintuitive that hi-tech aviation fuel can help the rural ecosystem and deliver economic prosperity to rural communities. However, SAF demands an enormous amount of feedstocks, and therein lies the opportunity. Biocrops can operate as cover crops, preventing erosion and maintaining the soil's nutrient profile. Moreover, they can deliver reliable employment to areas that have struggled over the past several decades. In the final analysis, SAF offers a win-win scenario for the aviation industry, rural communities, and the environment.

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Key Takeaways  

• Support Sustainable Businesses – You can do this at home or abroad. Check out the sustainability statements (if available) on the websites of airlines, hotels, and other travel-related companies. Your money is a powerful incentive to get on board.
• Support Local Farms – Another tip for vacation or staycation. Sourcing food locally shortens the supply chain and stimulates the local economy, whether it's your local butcher or a small Vietnamese restauranteur. 
• Conserve Resources – It's wonderful that SAF can be engineered from waste. However, it's also great not to produce waste at all. When you travel, avoid single-use plastics and be mindful of unnecessary energy consumption.