The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published its methodology for accounting and reporting emission reductions associated with the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The publication of IATA’s SAF accounting and reporting methodology was an important step ahead of the launch of the IATA SAF Registry in April, the association said on 31 January.
“The IATA methodology will provide a consistent approach to accounting for the environmental benefits of SAF purchases, regardless of location,” IATA’s senior vice president of Sustainability and chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen said.
“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 would give confidence that the registry is robust and fair, with no double-counting, Thomsen added.
“This is essential in creating a functioning global SAF market,” she said.
Key features of IATA’s SAF accounting and reporting methodology included a consistent accounting approach to address regulatory and voluntary compliance needs and guidance for SAF emissions reduction in per-passenger and per-shipment calculations.
IATA said its SAF accounting and reporting methodology had been developed in collaboration with more than 40 airline experts worldwide.
IATA represents 340 airlines comprising over 80% of global air traffic.
