IATA’s Methodology to Ensure Sustainable Aviation Fuel by Airlines

The International Air Transport Association released its methodology for accounting and reporting the emissions reduction associated with the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel by airlines.

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its methodology for accounting and reporting the emissions reduction associated with the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by airlines.

“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,” says Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s SVP sustainability and chief economist.  

 

Key takeaways:

  • SAF is an essential component of airline plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The IATA methodology fulfils the critical need to ensure that SAF’s contribution to aviation’s decarbonization is accurately, consistently, and transparently accounted.
  • The methodology includes purchase-based emissions calculations, irrespective of chain of custody used and SAF uplift locations, aligning with ICAO’s CORSIA approach.
  • Other features include optional tank-to-wake or well-to-wake emissions factors to meet varying regulatory and voluntary requirements, along with a consistent accounting approach to address regulatory and voluntary compliance needs.
  • Additional features entail no pre-judgement of additionality decisions by the claiming party, and guidance for SAF emissions reduction in per-passenger and per-shipment calculations.        
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