India aims carbon emissions reporting for international flight amid 2027 SAF push

India's aviation regulator plans to introduce a mandate requiring aircraft operators on international routes to report data covering a minimum of 90% of their annual carbon emissions from operations involving all international airports in India, as the country prepares to meet a 1% sustainable aviation fuel blending target by 2027 under the global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is expected to require both Indian and foreign carriers operating on international routes to comply with the emissions reporting mandate, aimed at ensuring a level playing field and avoiding economic distortion among operators,according to local media reports on Aug. 6.

The move comes as India advances preparations to meet CORSIA requirements, with refineries in advanced stages of readiness for SAF production and the government seeking greater private-sector participation in manufacturing, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said following a high-level stakeholder consultation on SAF held in late July.

CORSIA compliance timeline

India has agreed to the CORSIA mandate of 1% SAF blending in aviation turbine fuel for international flights by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030, Naidu said.

CORSIA's mandatory phase begins Jan. 1, 2027, requiring participating countries to offset emissions from international aviation through a combination of carbon credits and SAF use.

The 1% SAF blending requirement in 2027 represents the initial step in a progressive mandate that increases to 5% by 2030, creating significant demand for domestic SAF production capacity.

Emissions tracking framework

The proposed 90% emissions reporting requirement would establish a comprehensive tracking framework for carbon emissions from international aviation operations in India, providing data necessary for CORSIA compliance and enabling verification of SAF blending claims.

The emissions reporting mandate would apply to operations involving all international airports in India, ensuring consistent data collection across the country's aviation network. The 90% threshold is designed to capture the vast majority of emissions while allowing for operational flexibility in data collection.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed sustainable aviation fuel HEFA-SPK FOB Straits at $2,495/metric ton on Aug. 5, down $45/mt week over week.