“Feasibility study on Tobacco based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for Pakistan”
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UMT, Lahore
Abstract
Purpose – There has been relatively very little study on production and use of the Sustainable
Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Pakistan. There are multiple sources for obtaining SAF and one of them
is tobacco. This study aims to find out how feasible is the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
from Tobacco in Pakistan and what are the practices adopted around the world for the use of
Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Methodology – This research is a mix method using both primary and secondary data
regarding the tobacco growth in Pakistan, Annual fuel consumption of aviation fuel in Pakistan,
Processes involved in the production of fuel from tobacco and different environmental
initiatives in the aviation industry was collected through different online sources like websites
of ICAO, IATA, reputed journal articles and official reports from OGRA, Government of
Pakistan etc. This data was analysed with the current policies of the aviation industry in
Pakistan. Interviews of farmers were also recorded in this study.
Findings – Tobacco can be used as Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Aviation Fuel. Stems and leaves
have been analysed for sugar contents and they have sufficient quantity of sugar to produce
bioethanol on commercial scale. According to estimates 143,100 thousand tons of SAF can be
produced in Pakistan which accounts for 17% of the total aviation fuel used in Pakistan. So,
tobacco in Pakistan is sufficient for 5% of blending in the initial stage. This will also provide
tobacco farmers an alternative as they are under pressure from health authorities. This will help
Pakistan in import substitution of fuel. Aviation industry aims to achieve Net Zero Carbon by
2050. For this reason, ICAO has devised a plan named Carbon Offsetting and Reduction
Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The three staged program aims to reduce
emissions. Pakistan is not a member of carbon offsetting initiative.
Research Limitations - Due to access restrictions it was not permitted to visit the biodiesel
plants near Lahore. On the other hand, due to lack of time and technical support different
varieties of tobacco in Pakistan could not be tested. PCAA, Airlines and Airport’s perspective
could not be obtained due to time limitation.
Originality - Till date no such study has been done on the production of sustainable aviation
fuel from tobacco in Pakistan. This study is based on the data available from various online
sources.