A joint statement issued by President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minster KISHIDA Fumio on April 10 outlines the intentions of the two countries to cooperate on expanding the availability sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), including SAF made from ethanol. 

Kishida last week made an official visit to the White House, where he and Biden celebrated a new era of U.S.-Japanese strategic cooperation. The statement outlines cooperation initiatives in the areas of defense and security; space exploration; innovation, economic security and climate action; global diplomacy and development; and fortifying people-to-people ties. 

Regarding actions in innovation, economic security and climate action, Biden and Kishida discussed efforts to cooperate on the development and deployment of next generation clean technologies, including SAF. 

“We intend to advance widespread adoption of innovative new clean energy technologies, and seek to increase the globally available supply of sustainable aviation fuel or feedstock, including those that are ethanol-based, that show promise in reducing emissions,” they said in the joint statement. 

A fact sheet released by the White House indicates the U.S. and Japan have reaffirmed their joint aim of decarbonizing the aviation industry, including the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The two countries also recognize the importance of realizing the U.S. Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge 2030 goal of 3 billion gallons of SAF. Similarly, Japan has set a goal to replace 10% of the fuel consumed by Japanese airlines with SAF by 2030.

“To support achieving these goals, the United States pledges to seek to support the increase of globally available supplies of SAFs or feedstocks, including those that are ethanol-based, and commit to working in ICAO to identify solutions that accurately measure and actively reduce the carbon intensity of global SAF feedstocks and products,” the White House said in the fact sheet. “Simultaneously, Japan commits to advancing R&D efforts to develop and commercialize SAF technologies, including Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), through support measures by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.”

The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the U.S. Grains Council on April 16 issued a joint statement expressing gratitude that the two countries are recognizing the importance of ethanol as a SAF feedstock.

“Our organizations appreciate the dedication and support of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the U.S. Trade Representative and other U.S. government agencies advocating for grain-based ethanol in their international discussions,” the ethanol groups said in their statement. “These U.S. officials continue to highlight that ethanol is a readily available, low-carbon solution that can be used immediately as a carbon mitigation tool for the on-road, aviation, maritime and biochemical sectors.

“We thank the Biden Administration for its ongoing assistance in promoting U.S. ethanol abroad. Through our continued joint efforts to showcase U.S. ethanol benefits to the global community, we are collectively leading the transition to a low-carbon economy and supporting international climate commitments for a net-zero future.”