IATA Introduces Global Sustainable Aviation Fuel Registry to Support Net Zero Ambitions

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) officially launched its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry, transferring its operation to the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO). Live now, the Registry is meant to facilitate the development of an international SAF market, which is expected to accelerate aviation's path to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Ensuring Transparency and Preventing Double Counting

The new SAF Registry will serve as a secure, transparent platform to document the environmental credentials of SAF transactions. By providing an immutable record of SAF purchases, the Registry will prevent double counting and ensure that airlines worldwide can verify their SAF use for climate compliance.

In addition to airlines, corporate clients, fuel manufacturers, regulators, and related entities will be able to log and monitor SAF transactions within this global system.

Marie Owens Thomsen, the Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economist at IATA, stated that aviation's decarbonization is a collaborative effort. She explained that the release of the SAF Registry to CADO for launch is a crucial platform that benefits all stakeholders. It ensures that airlines worldwide have access to SAF, and their SAF purchases can be claimed against climate-related obligations.

The Registry will securely record the environmental attributes of SAF purchases, preventing double counting. She emphasized that airlines, corporate customers, fuel producers, regulatory bodies, and related organizations will be able to record and account for SAF transactions in a global market.

While acknowledging the significance of this advancement, Thomsen noted that the Registry is just one step toward establishing a mature, transparent, and liquid global SAF market. She further pointed out that the Registry alone cannot produce miracles, but without it, no progress can be made.

Also read: IATA Reports Slower-than-Expected Growth in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

Thomsen stressed that further progress requires active policy support to ramp up renewable energy production, including SAF. She called for governments to reallocate support previously given to fossil fuel producers in favor of renewable energy production. Drawing from the precedents set by the wind and solar energy markets, she urged that this transition should happen without delay.