Social sustainability of biojet fuel for net zero aviation

Biojet fuel, also known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), is the only viable carbon neutral option for the aviation sector to become net zero by 2050 as of now considering the progress, development, and success of all the decarbonization routes. Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (ELCA) studies have also supported the fact that biojet fuel is superior over fossil jet fuel in mitigating climate change and protecting certain elements of the ecosphere. However, social sustainability of biojet fuel, characterized by elements and indicators like gender and social equity, food security, health & safety, employment, community engagement, organizational behavior & values, are hardly researched by the scientific community in adequate amount. This paper synthesized a detailed summary of the above-mentioned social sustainability elements and indicators, by reviewing a wide range of literature on social sustainability of bioenergy. The study found that commercialization of socially sustainable biojet fuel is achievable in very near future, however, integration and cooperation of all stakeholders and social stages at local, national, and international levels are aggressively required to achieve this goal. The study also recommends use of Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA) tool to further strengthen R&D and economic policy support for biojet fuel for net zero aviation by 2050. •This paper assesses social elements and indicators of biojet fuel.•Social security is a prime indicator of biojet fuel sustainability.•Further R&D on social life cycle assessment of biojet fuel is necessary.•Socially viable and acceptable biojet fuel can contribute to several SDGs.