The Board of Investments (BOI) will collaborate with global aviation pioneer Airbus to enhance sustainability in the aviation supply chain and promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for a net-zero carbon emission aerospace industry by 2050.
“The collaborative efforts between the BOI and Airbus underscore a shared vision for advancing sustainable practices in the aerospace industry and solidifying the role of the Philippines as a key player in the global aviation landscape,” BOI said in a statement.
The Airbus delegation from France, Singapore, and Malaysia visited the country from Nov. 6 to Nov. 10 to support the development of SAF and map out supply chain development and investment opportunities.
The BOI met with the Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines (AIAP), and Airbus in a roundtable discussion last Nov. 10 at the BOI Main Office in Makati City, to discuss advancing sustainable supply chain development in the Philippines.
Airbus, which operates in the commercial aircraft, helicopters, defense, and space sector, highlighted the country's significant role in its Asia Pacific supply network to decarbonize aviation through sustainable supply chain solutions,
BOI reported that Airbus is targeting to achieve certification of 100 percent SAF by 2030, as part of its full commitment to Net Zero 2050.
This initiative of promoting the use of SAF is aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Currently, all Airbus aircraft are certified to operate on up to a 50 percent blend of SAF mixed with kerosene only. With 100 percent SAF, it will reduce life cycle CO2 emissions by up to 85 percent.
Airbus is planning to utilize biomass as the primary feedstock option for SAF technologies. Biomass is derived from renewable sources like plants, animals, and wastes, including used fat, oil, grease, agricultural and forestry waste, and residues.
Prior to the meeting, Airbus executives held a two-day roundtable meeting on its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) advocacy last Nov. 8-10 with the BOI, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Paris, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
The visit also included meetings with PATTS College of Aeronautics and UP Diliman to foster industry-academe collaboration and to pursue partnerships with startup incubators such as QBO Innovation Hub.