In a significant step toward scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in India, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has signed a collaborative agreement with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) to build capacity across major sugarcane producing states in India, mainly Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka amongst others, to implement RSB ICAO CORSIA Certification. Stakeholders will be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to produce SAF that is sustainably sourced, effectively tracked across supply chains, and eligible under the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) programme.
RSB’s ICAO CORSIA scheme offers a robust, science-based system that enables organisations across the SAF industry to credibly demonstrate compliance with CORSIA’s, as well as RSB’s sustainability and traceability requirements. Grounded in RSB’s globally recognised sustainability framework, the RSB ICAO CORSIA certification ensures full traceability and responsible sourcing of feedstocks, supports significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and contributes to the global decarbonisation of aviation.
RSB will deliver training materials and tools that will enable the capacity building of farmers, sugar mill workers, and small-scale enterprises in India. By delivering workshops, regionally tailored outreach, and developing training tools adapted to the local context, this project will build knowledge about bioeconomy, SAF and sustainability certification among sugarcane supply chains across India, with a particular focus on smallholder farmers.
Through the implementation of the capacity building activities under the framework of this project ISMA and RSB aim to cultivate strong leadership at the grassroots level, unlocking India’s sugar-based bioenergy sector and supporting national efforts to decarbonise the aviation at a national and global scale. By committing to sustainability at the farm and mill level through the implementation of RSB standards, ISMA aims to ensure that India’s aviation energy transition is not only technologically advanced but also socially just and environmentally credible.
“We are proud to lead India’s SAF capacity-building movement. This partnership with RSB places ISMA at the forefront of shaping a resilient, inclusive, and globally aligned SAF value chain rooted in our sugar sector.” – Deepak Ballani, Director General, ISMA
“India plays a critical role in the global SAF landscape, with abundant feedstock potential and strong policy momentum. Through this partnership, we aim to equip sugarcane producers with the tools and knowledge to meet the sustainability demands of the SAF economy, ensuring that both feedstock and fuel production align with RSB’s globally trusted sustainability standards.” – Arianna Baldo, Programme Director
The launch of this project is part of the SAF Horizon: Building Capacity for a Just and Sustainable Energy Transition (2025–2026) project, led by RSB and supported by Boeing. It signals a new era of stakeholder-inclusive energy transition in the country where technology, sustainability, and rural livelihoods converge. And through RSB and ISMA’s collaboration, India, which is a founding member of the Global Biofuels Alliance, now has actionable frameworks and international cooperation to support its SAF ambitions.
