WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — The United States is preparing to oppose a recommendation from the UN aviation council on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) certification, a decision revealed on June 17, 2025, that could reshape global aviation decarbonization efforts. The objection centers on the council’s proposed certification framework, which U.S. officials argue favors Brazilian corn ethanol producers, potentially sidelining American producers reliant on corn and soybean-based feedstocks. This stance risks fragmenting international SAF standards, a critical component for achieving the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) CORSIA carbon offset scheme and net-zero goals by 2050.
SAF, capable of reducing lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, relies on standardized certification to ensure environmental integrity and market acceptance. The UN recommendation, part of ongoing ICAO discussions, aims to harmonize certification across 193 member states, addressing feedstock sustainability, production processes, and lifecycle emissions. However, the U.S. contends that the framework disproportionately benefits Brazil’s ethanol industry, which leverages sugarcane and corn, over U.S. producers who face stricter domestic regulations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This disparity has sparked trade tensions, with the U.S. pushing for a review to ensure equitable treatment.
“A fragmented approach undermines the credibility of international standards, which are essential for scaling SAF adoption,” said a representative from Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).
Brazilian stakeholders, including industry groups and government officials, have expressed alarm, warning that U.S. opposition could erode global confidence in SAF certification. “A fragmented approach undermines the credibility of international standards, which are essential for scaling SAF adoption,” said a representative from Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). The concern is amplified by SAF’s current production of 1.3 billion liters in 2024, representing just 0.3% of global jet fuel, where uniform standards are vital to attract investment and airline commitments.
For the aviation sector, this development poses strategic challenges. Airlines, bound by CORSIA to use SAF or offsets, may face supply chain disruptions if certification varies by region. U.S. producers could lose market share to Brazilian competitors, while European airlines, adhering to ReFuelEU’s 6% SAF mandate by 2030, might prioritize certified Brazilian fuel, per IATA data. The U.S. objection also signals a potential push for bilateral SAF agreements, bypassing UN frameworks, which could complicate global supply logistics estimated at 44 billion liters by 2030 (SkyNRG).
Stakeholders must adapt. Producers should diversify feedstocks—beyond corn—to mitigate certification risks, with municipal waste and algae gaining traction. Airlines should secure multi-source contracts to hedge against regional disparities, while policymakers need to align domestic and international standards. The U.S. move, if sustained, could prompt ICAO to revise its approach, though resolution may hinge on negotiations at the next council meeting in September 2025.
This trade dispute underscores the delicate balance of economic interests and environmental goals in SAF’s evolution. As aviation targets net-zero, the outcome will test the industry’s ability to maintain a unified front against fragmentation.
Source: Reuters, “U.S. to Object to UN Aviation Council’s SAF Certification Recommendation,” June 17, 2025.
