IATA Unveils SAF Registry to Boost Sustainable Aviation Fuel Use

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the creation of the SAF Registry, aimed at expediting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) by authoritatively accounting for and reporting emissions reductions. This initiative is supported by 17 airlines, one airline group, six national authorities, three Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and one fuel producer. The Registry's launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.

SAF is expected to contribute up to 65% of the total carbon mitigation required to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in air transportation by 2050. "SAF is key to aviation’s decarbonization. Airlines want more SAF and stand ready to use every drop of it. The SAF Registry will help meet the critical needs of all stakeholders as part of the global effort to ramp-up SAF production," said Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA.

The SAF Registry will provide a comprehensive system to ensure accurate tracking and reporting of SAF usage. This system will help airlines purchase SAF from any location, as each batch's certified environmental attributes can be tracked and assigned to the purchasing airline. By ensuring that these attributes of SAF are properly recorded and transferred, airlines and their customers can accurately report emissions reductions, aligning with reporting obligations and international standards.

The Registry will be neutral regarding regulations, types of SAF, and other specificities under relevant jurisdictions and frameworks. IATA is collaborating with certification organizations and fuel producers to standardize data for efficient processing. This will help airlines meet regulations such as the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

The project is being developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including airlines, government authorities, international organizations, OEMs, fuel producers and suppliers, airports, and corporate travel management companies. Key to the project’s stakeholders is the participation of governments, ensuring compliance with civil aviation authorities’ requirements. Relevant authorities will be able to validate and approve claims, update national emission inventories, and align actions with international standards, such as those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)is the latest to announce its collaboration with IATA to develop the SAF Registry. This collaboration aligns with Singapore’s plan to make SAF usage mandatory for flights departing from Singapore starting in 2026. The plan, launched by CAAS in February 2024, aims for an initial increase of 1% SAF, with a centralized SAF procurement system to aggregate demand from both mandatory targets and voluntary corporate demands.

"This registry will be a fundamental facilitator for implementing Singapore’s national SAF target from 2026,” said Han Kok Juan, Director General, CAAS.

In May, the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) released a report stating that SAF implementations might be a greenwashing tactic due to the ambiguous goals of its use, the technological hurdles of its production, and the environmental trade-offs.