Global aviation body IATA has released its methodology for accounting and reporting the emissions reduction associated with the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel by airlines.
IATA said the methodology will help to ensure that the aviation sector contribution to the decarbonisation of travel is “accurately, consistently, and transparently accounted”.
SAF is considered a key component in the efforts airlines will have to make if they are to meet ambitious net zero carbon emissions targets by 2050.
IATA said the publication of its SAF accounting and reporting methodology is “a critical step in the preparation of the IATA SAF Registry which is scheduled to launch in April 2025”.
The IATA SAF Registry will play a key role in creating a functioning global SAF market.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA senior vice president of sustainability and chief economist, said:
“The IATA methodology will provide a consistent approach to accounting for the environmental benefits of SAF purchases, regardless of location.
“This is an essential component of the soon-to-be launched IATA SAF Registry which will enable airlines to claim SAF benefits against their regulatory and voluntary obligations, irrespective of where SAF was uplifted.
“The transparency of a published global standard methodology will give confidence that the Registry is robust and fair, with no double-counting. This is essential in creating a functioning global SAF market.”
The IATA SAF accounting and reporting methodology was developed in collaboration with more than 40 airline experts worldwide.
It is feedstock-agnostic and technology-neutral and complements existing international frameworks and reinforces consistency without duplicating efforts
Key principles of the methodology:
• Purchase-based emissions calculations, irrespective of chain-of-custody used and SAF uplift locations, aligning with ICAO’s CORSIA approach.
• Optional tank-to-wake (TTW) or well-to-wake (WTW) emissions factors to meet varying regulatory and voluntary requirements.
• A consistent accounting approach to address regulatory and voluntary compliance needs.
• No pre-judgement of additionality decisions by the claiming party, as long as no double counting occurs in the accounting of SAF emissions reduction.
• Guidance for SAF emissions reduction in per-passenger and per-shipment calculations.
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