IATA releases SAF accounting, reporting methodology

The International Air Transport Association released Jan. 31 its methodology for accounting and reporting the emissions reduction associated with the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by airlines.

SAF is an essential component of airline plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The IATA methodology fulfills the critical need to ensure that SAF’s contribution to aviation’s decarbonization is accurately, consistently and transparently accounted.

The publication of the IATA SAF accounting and reporting methodology is a critical step in the preparation of the IATA SAF Registry, which is scheduled to launch in April.

The IATA SAF Registry is expected to play a key role in creating a functioning global SAF market.

“The IATA methodology will provide a consistent approach to accounting for the environmental benefits of SAF purchases, regardless of location,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president of sustainability and chief economist. “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.”

Key features:

• Purchase-based emissions calculations, irrespective of chain-of-custody used and SAF uplift locations, aligning with the International Civil Aviation Organization’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 prejudgment of additionality* decisions by the claiming party, as long as no double-counting occurs in the accounting of SAF emission reductions.

• Guidance for SAF emissions reduction in per-passenger and per-shipment calculations.

• Core principles:

  
  
  
  

  • A level playing field.

  
  
  
  

  • Prevention of double-counting.

  
  
  
  

  • Integrity in environmental and reporting claims.

  
  
  
  

  • Transparent, verifiable data.

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.

Moreover, the methodology complements existing international frameworks and reinforces consistency without duplicating efforts.

For more information on the IATA SAF accounting and reporting methodology, click here.

*Additionality is typically defined as accounting principles that can drive emissions reduction more significantly than what is required by regulations or what is considered business-as-usual activities. Additionality can be perceived differently with different levels of stringencies. The IATA methodology does not prejudge additionality decisions by parties claiming the emissions reduction from SAF but rather emphasize in transparency on what has been claimed.