The International Air Transport Association (IATA) published detailed methodology for accounting and reporting emissions reductions achieved by sustainable aviation fuel to the international market. The more transparency and consistency there is in the progress toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the better for the airline industry. The IATA SAF (Sustainable Aviation and Fuel) accounting and reporting methodology responded to an immediate need for standardisation in quantifying the environmental performance of SAF.
Ensuring Transparency and Accuracy in SAF Reporting
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economist, shared :
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.
Main Attribute of the IATA SAF Methodology
The methodology is developed to be compatible with ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and the Reduction Scheme for International Aviation while meeting various regulatory and voluntary compliance requirements. Key components of the new methodology include:
- Calculations of emissions based on purchases, despite of the chain-of-custody and the locations of SAF uplift, in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation’s CORSIA approach.
- Emissions factors for covering all the various regulatory and voluntary requirements.
- A harmonised accounting and reporting structure to support various regulatory and voluntary regimes.
- Avoidance of double-counting to ensure valid emissions reduction claims.
- Guidance on the calculation of per passenger and per-shipment SAF emissions reduction.
CORSIA is a global-market which rates a carbon capability and reduction scheme that aims to reduce CO₂ emissions on international flights. The methodology retains key values like emissions reduction, fair competition, data integrity, transparent reporting, and verifiability. 
© Jose Lebron
Strengthening the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Market
As airlines increase investments in SAF as part of meeting aviation sustainability objectives, the structure of IATA should be supportive of emissions reporting and also the adoption of low-carbon fuel alternatives. It allows for appropriate and accurate accounting so that aviation can make its full contribution toward long-term decarbonisation. The release of the IATA SAF registry in April will be an important step toward scaling up the global market for SAF and reinforcing the aviation industry’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and helping sustainable air transport.
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