Rodrigo Lima Verde Leal

Perspectives for Sustainable Aviation Biofuels in Brazil

The aviation industry has set ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions in coming decades. The strategy involves the use of sustainable biofuels, aiming to achieve benefits from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. In this context, Brazilian conditions are favorable, with a mature agroindustry that regularly produces automotive biofuel largely adopted by Brazilian road vehicles, while air transportation has been growing at an accelerating pace and a modern aircraft industry is in place. This paper presents the main conclusions and recommendations from a broad assessment of the technological, economic, and sustainability challenges and opportunities associated with the development of drop-in aviation biofuels in Brazil. It was written by a research team that prepared the initial reports and conducted eight workshops with the active participation of more than 30 stakeholders encompassing the private sector, government institutions, NGOs, and academia. The main outcome was a set of guidelines for establishing a new biofuels industry, including recommendations for (a) filling the identified research and development knowledge gaps in the production of sustainable feedstock; (b) overcoming the barriers in conversion technology, including scaling-up issues; (c) promoting greater involvement and interaction between private and government stakeholders; and (d) creating a national strategy to promote the development of aviation biofuels.

Roadmap to a Sustainable Aviation Biofuel: A Brazilian Case Study

Abstract In 2013, the International Air Transport Association, in agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organization, approved a resolution setting out ambitious targets for addressing carbon emission reduction entitled ‘Aviation Carbon-Neutral Growth Strategy (CNG2020)’. The strategy involves the use of sustainable biofuels (drop-in), aiming to achieve benefits from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. In this context, Brazilian conditions are favourable, with a mature agroindustry that regularly produces large amounts of grains and cereals, and automotive biofuel largely adopted by all Brazilian road vehicles. At the same time, air transportation has been growing at an accelerating pace and a modern aircraft industry is in place. In order to identify the main opportunities, and the main gaps and barriers to developing a modern and sustainable aviation industry in Brazil, a roadmapping methodology was implemented involving stakeholders and players in the biofuels and aeronautics industries. The process was carried out using a workshop setting to stimulate discussions on the following topics: Feedstock, Refining Technologies, Sustainability, Policy and Incentives, Logistics & Support, Research & Development, and Commercialization Gaps. The effort involved an active participation of more than 30 stakeholders encompassing the private sector, government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and academia, and a full report was published (Roadmap for Sustainable Aviation Biofuels for Brazil: A Flightpath to Aviation Biofuels in Brazil). Aiming to present the main outcomes, in the following topics relevant aspects concerning feedstocks, land availability, sustainability, and refining processes are discussed. The conclusion gives a summary of limiting factors and policy recommendations.