But did you know that the same humble coconut that quenches your thirst could be used to power jets?

If you answer no, the International Coconut Community (ICC) has a bold vision to share—one where the coconut is not just a “tropical treat” but a climate solution that nourishes people, captures carbon, and, as it turns out, may even help power your next flight. 

For centuries, the coconut has been revered as the “tree of life,” offering everything from food and fuel to shelter and shade. According to data from the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization, nearly 90 per cent of the world’s coconut production takes place in Asia and the Pacific, with Indonesia, the Philippines and India the three major producing countries.

At a side event to the ESCAP Commission session in Bangkok in April, the ICC had invited three experts to share their insights into some of the advantages of coconuts. Dr. Fabian Dayrit from the ICC Scientific Advisory Committee for Health exalted the extraordinary nutritional benefits of coconut meat, which is low in carbohydrates and sugar, packed with dietary fibre and entirely free of cholesterol. It also provides all nine essential amino acids.

At the same time, coconut milk is gaining popularity as a dairy-free alternative with a smaller environmental footprint than dairy milk as well as higher calcium content. Coconut flour and oil are also becoming pantry staples as healthy, sustainable alternatives to processed foods and dairy, lionizing traditional, local food systems. 

Beyond nutrition, coconut trees can also be leveraged in the fight against climate change. These trees are surprisingly effective carbon sinks—absorbing an average of 15 to 25 tons of CO? per hectare annually, explains Dr. K Balachandra Hebbar, Director of ICAR - Central Plantation Crops Research Institute in India.

When scaled across 12 million hectares, that is more than 200 million tons of CO? captured – a significant contribution to climate action. Moreover, as perennial crops, coconut trees are more resilient than annuals to impacts such as droughts, high winds and floods. Organic farming and intercropping – growing coconut trees amid other crops – also supports soil health and enhances biodiversity.

Countries are now experimenting with monetizing coconut plantations through global carbon markets through new projects like the Pollachi Fresh Air initiative in India, where farmers are attempting to establish a large carbon sequestration belt, or Vanuatu’s small island carbon credit pilots.

“Carbon credit initiatives in coconut farming present a viable opportunity for farmers to generate additional income while contributing to climate change mitigation,” Hebbar explains. “Engaging in such programmes can enhance sustainability and provide financial benefits.”

However, many hurdles remain, such as lengthy certification processes, delayed payments and complex data collection. These make the carbon credit world a challenging, albeit hopeful, terrain for small farmers.

Even further away from the traditional uses of coconuts, a renewable energy power generation company from Japan is proposing a novel idea: making Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from non-standard coconuts.

In 2022, SAF accounted for less than 0.1 per cent of the global jet fuel supply. The Green Power Development Corporation of Japan wants to change that by using off-spec coconuts, which are considered unsuitable for food markets because they are too small, cracked, sprouted or rotten. 

The process of creating SAF involves sourcing, sorting and tracing the coconuts from producer countries, drying, compressing and then extracting the oil before shipping it to a processing plant where it is converted into a high-quality fuel called “neat SAF”. This uses a specially developed, low-hydrogen process tailored to coconut oil’s unique carbon structure. The company hopes to realize the commercialization of SAF in Japan by 2030.

The impact? Up to 80 per cent lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional jet fuel – and no competition with food crops due to the use of off-spec coconuts. 

The coconut is clearly no longer just a kitchen staple. It is a versatile, renewable resource with positive impacts for our health, energy supply and the environment. While it hides in plain sight, the right research, policies, partnerships and investments can transform it into a superfruit that helps us build a more sustainable future.

So, the next time you sip on coconut water or apply some coconut oil to your hair, imagine this: that same fruit could one day help save the planet and carry you across the sky.