Decarbonizing Aviation: The Low-Carbon Footprint and Strategic Potential of Colombian Palm Oil for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

David Arturo Munar-Flórez, Nidia Elizabeth Ramírez-Contreras (), Jorge Alberto Albarracín-Arias, Phanor Arias-Camayo, Víctor Rincón-Romero, Jesús Alberto García-Núñez, Camilo Ardila-Badillo and Mónica Cuéllar-Sánchez
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David Arturo Munar-Flórez: Biorefinery and Sustainability Area, Cenipalma, Bogotá, Colombia
Nidia Elizabeth Ramírez-Contreras: Biorefinery and Sustainability Area, Cenipalma, Bogotá, Colombia
Jorge Alberto Albarracín-Arias: New Business Development Area, Fedepalma (Until December 2022), Bogotá, Colombia
Phanor Arias-Camayo: Research Results Validation Area, Cenipalma, Bogotá, Colombia
Víctor Rincón-Romero: Geomatic Area, Cenipalma, Bogotá, Colombia
Jesús Alberto García-Núñez: Processing Program, Cenipalma, Bogotá, Colombia
Camilo Ardila-Badillo: Research Results Validation Area, Cenipalma, Bogotá, Colombia
Mónica Cuéllar-Sánchez: New Business Development Area, Fedepalma, Bogotá, Colombia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-25

Abstract: The global energy transition is pushing the development of advanced biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the aviation industry. This study thoroughly evaluates the potential of the Colombian crude palm oil (CPO) sector to support sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Extensive primary data from 53 palm oil mills and 269 palm plantations were examined. The methodology included a carbon footprint analysis of SAF produced from Colombian CPO through the HEFA pathway, an economic aspects analysis, a review of renewable fuel standards, and an assessment of market access for low-CO 2 -emitting feedstocks. The results show that the carbon footprint of the Colombian palm oil-SAF is 16.11 g CO 2 eq MJ −1 SAF, which is significantly lower than the 89.2 g CO 2 eq MJ −1 reference value for traditional jet fuel. This figure considers current direct Land Use-Change (DLUC) emissions and existing methane capture practices within the Colombian palm oil agro-industry. A sensitivity analysis indicated that this SAF’s carbon footprint could decrease to negative values of −4.58 g CO 2 eq MJ −1 if all surveyed palm oil mills implement methane capture. Conversely, excluding DLUC emissions from the assessment raised the values to 47.46 g CO 2 eq MJ −1 , highlighting Colombia’s favorable DLUC profile as a major factor in its low overall CPO carbon footprint. These findings also emphasize that methane capture is a key low-carbon practice for reducing the environmental impact of sustainable fuel production, as outlined by the CORSIA methodology. Based on the economic analysis, investing in Colombian CPO-based SAF production is a financially sound decision. However, the project’s profitability is highly susceptible to the volatility of SAF sales prices and raw material costs, underscoring the need for meticulous risk management. Overall, these results demonstrate the strong potential of Colombian palm oil for producing sustainable aviation fuels that comply with CORSIA requirements.

Keywords: LUC; sustainable production; biofuels; GHG emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:18:p:4978-:d:1753199

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