While the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, the aviation industry faces substantial challenges to decarbonization. One innovation that will be crucial in transforming the historically emissions-intensive industry is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is forecast to contribute to 65% of the total carbon mitigation needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions in air transportation by 2050. Recognizing its importance, the IATA has begun developing a registry to accelerate the use of SAF by creating a traceable, trusted and transparent framework for SAF purchase and use. Multiple giants in the aviation industry have already thrown their weight behind the initiative, including Airbus, Air France-KLM, American Airlines, Boeing, Emirates, GE Aerospace, Qatar Airways and United Airlines. When the registry launches, it will allow airlines to purchase SAF regardless where it is produced, and track the environmental attributes of products through the standardized transfer of production data.
Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, emphasized the reciprocity of the registry, commenting “the Registry will help create a global SAF market by ensuring that airlines have access to SAF wherever it is produced, and that SAF producers have access to airlines regardless of their location”. Increasing access to and traceability of SAF is unlikely to provide a cure-all for emissions reduction in the aviation industry – which will also depend on improvements in operation efficiency, the development of new propulsion technology and more – the IATA’s registry could be a significant step forward for sustainability in the sector. On a wider scale, the decarbonization of the aviation industry will be essential to enabling firms to reduce their Scope 3.6 business travel emissions without relying on carbon offsets.
