“From the kitchen to the skies” pushes Thailand’s Low-Carbon Aviation Hub – Nation Thailand

Project Report: “From the kitchen to the skies” Initiative

1.0 Project Overview

• Project Title: “From the kitchen to the skies”
• Lead Partners: Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI); PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC)
• Launch Date: November 14, 2025
• Primary Objective: To expand the collection network for Used Cooking Oil (UCO) within higher education institutions. The project aims to convert this waste stream into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), thereby promoting youth participation in achieving a low-carbon society and advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2.0 Pilot Phase Performance (August – October 2025)

A successful pilot project preceded the national launch, providing key performance indicators and demonstrating the viability of the model. The outcomes directly support several SDGs.

1. UCO Collected: 7.09 tons
2. SAF Produced: 1.75 tons
3. Community Economic Benefit: THB 215,000 in revenue generated
4. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: 5,654.98 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2e)

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The initiative makes significant contributions to the global sustainability agenda through its direct and indirect impacts on the following SDGs:

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The project directly supports Target 7.2 by increasing the share of renewable energy. The production of SAF from UCO provides a cleaner, sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuel.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By establishing a formal collection system for UCO, the initiative improves municipal waste management (Target 11.6) and reduces the environmental impact of cities.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The project is a clear example of circular economy principles, promoting the reduction of waste through recycling and reuse (Target 12.5). It transforms a post-consumption waste product into a valuable resource.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The quantifiable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is a direct contribution to climate change mitigation efforts, aligning with the core objective of SDG 13 to combat climate change and its impacts.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The collaboration between a government ministry (MHESI), a private corporation (GC), and a network of over 22 community partners exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships (Target 17.17) essential for achieving the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article focuses on the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is a form of clean and renewable energy intended to reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation industry.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The initiative represents an innovation in the chemical industry by converting a waste product (Used Cooking Oil) into a high-value, environmentally sound product (SAF). This promotes sustainable industrial processes and resource-use efficiency.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project addresses waste management within communities by establishing collection points for Used Cooking Oil (UCO). It also provides economic benefits, as the article mentions that the pilot project generated over THB 215,000 in revenue for the community.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The core of the project is a circular economy model. It encourages the recycling and reuse of a waste material (UCO), thereby reducing waste generation and promoting sustainable production patterns.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  A primary goal of the project is to create a “low-carbon society.” The article explicitly states that the conversion of UCO to SAF helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions, directly contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The project is a multi-stakeholder partnership involving a government body (Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation), a private company (PTT Global Chemical), and a network of over 22 other partners, including community waste management centers.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The production of SAF from UCO directly contributes to increasing the share of renewable energy in the aviation sector.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. The project implements a clean technology to convert waste into fuel, making the chemical and aviation industries more sustainable.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The organized collection of UCO is a direct improvement in municipal waste management.

4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The project is centered on recycling UCO, a waste product, into a new usable product.

5. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education (MHESI) shows an integration of climate action (promoting a low-carbon society) into national-level planning and initiatives.

6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The project is a clear example of a public-private partnership between MHESI and GC, along with other community partners.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

   • Indicator: The amount of renewable fuel produced. The article states that 1.75 tons of SAF were produced, which is a direct measure of the increase in renewable energy supply.

2. For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) & SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Indicator: Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The article provides a precise figure: a reduction of 5,654.98 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. This measures the environmental soundness of the new industrial process.

3. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) & SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

   • Indicator: The amount of waste collected and recycled. The article specifies that 7.09 tons of UCO were successfully collected during the pilot phase, indicating progress in waste management and recycling rates.
   • Indicator: Revenue generated for the community from waste management activities. The article mentions that the project generated over THB 215,000 in revenue for the community.

4. For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

   • Indicator: The number and type of partners involved in the initiative. The article explicitly mentions the partnership between a government ministry (MHESI), a private company (GC), and a network of over 22 partners, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder collaboration.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nationthailand.com