An Expert Review Meeting was held, on 6 November 2025, in a hybrid format in the Ministry of Trade Building, Jakarta to review and gather crucial feedback on the draft “Inspector Manual for Non-Standard Coconut”, a document aiming to establish a harmonized global standard for sorting non-edible coconuts to be used as feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production rather than going to waste. If adopted, this initiative is expected to utilise coconut waste, supporting both the coconut sector's sustainability and global decarbonisation efforts.
The manual was developed by Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in collaboration with Indonesia-Japan Business Network (IJBNet), Green Power Development Corporation of Japan (GPDJ), and ICC. The meeting's objective was to discuss expert insights, address critical feedback, and achieve a collective agreement on the final Inspector manual before proposing it to the ICC Technical Working Group for endorsement and eventual submission to the ICC session. The event represents a significant step towards both industry sustainability and global decarbonisation goals.
Advancing Sustainability and Economic Opportunity
ICC Director General, Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, delivered the welcome address and objectives of the meeting. She stressed the meeting’s objective of achieving a collective agreement on the manual and recognised the importance of considering local expertise in coconut classification, proposing a flexible global baseline standard with regional annexes.
The initiative focuses on diverting non-standard coconuts—estimated to represent up to 25% of annual production in major producing countries—from waste streams into a high-value commodity, SAF, which has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and provides strategic economic advantages by diversifying energy sources and creating jobs in rural communities. “SAF is not only a climate solution, but also an economic opportunity, one that can future-proof both our environment and our industries,” she underlined.
In his presentation, Dr. Suyoto Rais, Chairman, IJBNet, highlighted that this feedstock has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% compared to traditional jet fuel. He presented an initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation industry by using non-standard coconuts as a biomass feedstock. He noted that Indonesia alone has approximately 25% of its coconuts classified as non-standard, which can be converted into SAF production. The proposal is supported by the similar carbon composition to palm oil and its potential to reduce emissions by up to 70%. Dr. Suyoto also emphasised the need to develop a robust certification and traceability system to detect and classify non-standard coconuts.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Anugerah Widiyanto, B. Sc., M. Eng., Acting Deputy Chairman for Development Policy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), focused his presentation on finalizing the document for utilizing non-standard coconuts as a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock. Led by the IJBNet, Green Power Development Japan, in collaboration with the BRIN, the initiative aims to establish a framework that diversifies coconut sources and ensures sector sustainability. He explained that the meeting’s primary goal was to validate the draft manual, gather technical feedback, and align it with member countries' needs and international sustainability standards.
Indonesia's Support and Focus on Food Security
Ministry of Trade of Indonesia, represented by Ms. Riska Adelia Pakpahan, First Trade Analyst, Directorate General of International Trade Negotiation, the Ministry of Trade of Indonesia, acknowledged the ICC Secretariat and the team for drafting the manual. She stated that Indonesia believes this is a forward-looking initiative as it promotes the global utilisation of non-standard coconuts that would otherwise go to waste.
Crucially, she noted that the manual is vital to ensure that components used for SAF are genuinely non-standard and do not disrupt the supply of standard components for food and other uses. She also mentioned the importance of a harmonized and evidence-based reference due to the stagnant production and commoditizing demand of coconuts.
Dr. Teguh Pribadi Adinugroho, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), presented a manual for sorting non-standard coconuts, aimed at improving economic and environmental sustainability in the coconut industry. Developed through collaboration with Japanese and Indonesian partners, the manual identifies four key criteria for non-standard coconuts: too small, sprouted, cracked, and rotten. The project, conducted across three Indonesian regions and involving nine companies, ran from January to August, intending to create a global reference for coconut sorting. The manual emphasizes practicality, voluntary adoption, and supports the sustainable agriculture production (SAP) approach, potentially benefiting local economies by utilizing approximately 30% of coconut production that would otherwise be considered waste. The presentation emphasized creating a practical, voluntary standard that supports sustainability and traceability in the coconut supply chain.
During the review, experts from countries including India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Jamaica provided constructive feedback, particularly concerning the need for flexibility. A key recommendation was to shift from a single, rigid global standard for size and weight (e.g., criteria for "too small" coconuts) to region-specific thresholds.
Furthermore, the revised “Inspector Manual for Non-Standard Coconut” will be presented to the ICC Technical Working Group on November 14 for further review and eventual formal adoption at the ICC Session and Ministerial Meeting. Should this manual be adopted at the ICC Session meeting in Bangkok, the ICC Secretariat is also planning a training program to facilitate its implementation across member countries next year.
The adoption of this manual is crucial to unlock the massive potential of the coconut sector in contributing to the world’s transition to green energy.