Australia is positioning itself to become a significant exporter of biofuels, leveraging its comparative advantage to support the production of this sustainable resource. This effort is underscored by a partnership between aviation experts from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and their Chinese counterparts to develop a sustainable biofuel industry in both countries.
The collaboration builds on the Australian government’s commitment of $1.7 billion to prioritize renewable fuels for the aviation sector over the next decade. According to the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (ATIC), Australia’s goal is to become a major player in the biofuels market, driven by the country’s unique ability to support biofuel production.
UniSA Aviation professor Shane Zhang emphasized the importance of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in reducing carbon emissions, with the potential to cut emissions by up to 80% and contribute to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 in Australia. Zhang highlighted the untapped potential for producing SAFs in both Australia and China, given the abundance of bio feedstock in both countries.
The Albanese government has allocated $18.5 billion over four years to develop a certification scheme for sustainable aviation fuels and renewable diesel. Additionally, a $1.5 million investment will be made towards analyzing the costs and benefits of introducing mandates for these fuels.
Efforts to support the growth of SAFs and biofuels in Australia are viewed as a positive step towards achieving net-zero emissions. SAFs, derived from renewable resources like biomass, have the potential to propel Australia towards its emission reduction goals while creating new industries and employment opportunities.
The partnership between UniSA and Chinese experts aims to organize events in both countries to explore commercializing sustainable aviation fuels for future use. Despite being in the early stages, SAFs are expected to see increased demand globally as countries seek to address climate change through sustainable fuel options.
In line with this, biofuel firms are investing in building China’s first plant to convert wasted cooking oil into aviation fuel for both export and local consumption. The collaboration between UniSA and Chinese experts is poised to drive the production of sustainable aviation fuels in both countries, tapping into their abundant bio feedstock and resources.
While Australia is supportive of transitioning to SAFs, there is currently no mandate in place. However, the growing demand for SAFs from corporate Australia, as seen through initiatives like Qantas’ sustainable aviation program, indicates a positive trend towards embracing biofuels in the aviation sector.
Source link
