Dubai – In a significant move to accelerate the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the upcoming launch of the SAF Registry. Scheduled to go live in the first quarter of 2025, the Registry aims to enhance transparency, accuracy, and compliance in the reporting of emissions reductions from SAF usage.
The SAF Registry is a collaborative effort, already garnering support from 17 airlines, one airline group, six national authorities, three Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and one fuel producer. This broad coalition underscores the aviation industry’s commitment to sustainability and the critical role SAF is expected to play in achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. SAF is projected to contribute up to 65% of the carbon mitigation required to meet this ambitious target.
“SAF is key to aviation’s decarbonization. Airlines want more SAF and stand ready to use every drop of it,” stated Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “The SAF Registry will meet the critical needs of all stakeholders as part of the global effort to ramp up SAF production. Governments need a trusted system to track the quality and quantities of SAF used. SAF producers need to accurately account for what has been delivered and effectively decarbonized. Corporate customers must be able to transparently account for their Scope 3 emissions. And airlines must have certainty that they can claim the environmental benefits of the SAF they purchased.”
The Registry promises a wide geographic scope, allowing airlines to purchase SAF regardless of its production location. Certified environmental attributes of each batch can be tracked and assigned to the purchasing airline, ensuring accurate emissions reduction reporting. This capability aligns with various reporting obligations and international standards, providing a trusted system for stakeholders.
A key feature of the Registry is its neutrality concerning regulations, SAF types, and jurisdictional specifics. This broad application makes it versatile and user-friendly for various stakeholders. IATA is working closely with certification organizations and fuel producers to standardize data, ensuring efficient processing and compliance with international protocols and best practices.
Compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme will be facilitated by the Registry. This will ensure that airlines meet SAF mandates and provide transparency to authorities regarding emissions reductions. The Registry will also guard against double counting and double claiming, maintaining the integrity of emissions data.
Independent governance will ensure the system’s impartiality and robustness, while a cost-recovery participation model aims to prevent unnecessary financial barriers to SAF adoption.
Development of the Registry involves consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including airlines, government authorities, international organizations, OEMs, fuel producers, suppliers, airports, and corporate travel management companies. Government participation is particularly noteworthy, as it will help ensure compliance with civil aviation authorities’ requirements and international standards, such as those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
As the aviation industry continues its journey toward sustainability, the SAF Registry represents a pivotal development in standardizing and scaling the use of sustainable fuels. By fostering greater transparency and accuracy in emissions reporting, the Registry is poised to play a key role in the global effort to decarbonize air travel.
