The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) accounting and reporting methodology, marking a significant step towards the launch of the IATA SAF Registry in April 2025. The registry aims to facilitate a global market for SAF.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economist, stated, “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.”
Key features of the methodology include purchase-based emissions calculations aligned with ICAO’s CORSIA approach, optional tank-to-wake or well-to-wake emissions factors, and guidance for per-passenger and per-shipment calculations. The core principles emphasize a level playing field, prevention of double-counting, integrity in claims, and transparent data.