SINGAPORE — The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced the establishment of the Asia Pacific Sustainable Aviation Centre (APSAC) on July 10, 2025, a pioneering initiative to advance sustainable aviation in the Asia-Pacific region. Led by founding CEO Philip Goh, a former Singapore Airlines and IATA executive, and chaired by CAAS Director-General Han Kok Juan, APSAC will focus on policy research, industry collaboration, and capacity building to support the region’s sustainability goals. The centre’s advisory council includes senior executives from Airbus, Boeing, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Neste, IATA, and Singapore’s GenZero, reflecting strong industry commitment.

“Asia Pacific States want both growth and sustainability, not one at the expense of the other,” said Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS and Chairman of APSAC.

APSAC addresses the dual challenge of tripling air travel demand in Asia-Pacific over the next 20 years while supporting the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The centre will conduct policy research on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), carbon accounting, carbon markets, and green financing, aiming to develop tailored policy options for regional states. With SAF production in Asia-Pacific lagging at less than 10% of the global 2 million tons forecasted for 2025, APSAC’s collaboration with industry giants could drive investment in regional facilities, particularly for waste-based feedstocks like used cooking oil.

The centre’s first-year priorities include engaging Asia-Pacific states to align sustainability plans, fostering partnerships with private sector and academia, launching joint projects, and delivering training programs. On July 14, 2025, CAAS, APSAC, and its advisory council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Global Aviation and Maritime Symposium, attended by ICAO Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar and over 20 regional civil aviation directors. This MOU formalizes collaboration to support sustainable aviation initiatives.

Stakeholders should leverage APSAC’s platform to advocate for incentives like tax credits, similar to those driving U.S. SAF growth, and invest in feedstock diversification to reduce reliance on imports. Challenges include competition for feedstocks and the high cost of SAF (2-5 times conventional jet fuel), which could hinder scalability without coordinated policies. APSAC’s role in facilitating regional dialogue and research positions it to influence SAF mandates in countries like Japan and China, ensuring alignment with CORSIA’s emissions accounting standards.

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, “Singapore Sets Up Centre to Advance Sustainable Aviation in the Asia-Pacific Region,” July 10, 2025