IATA publishes SAF Accounting and Reporting Methodology

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its methodology for accounting and reporting the emissions reduction associated with the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by airlines.
The methodology will support the preparation of the IATA SAF Registry which is scheduled to launch in April 2025. The registry has already been backed seventeen airlines, one airline group, six national authorities, three original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and one fuel producer.
The goal with the registry is to ensure that the sector’s agreed SAF accounting and reporting principles are adhered to and fully in alignment with international protocols and industry best practices.
“The IATA methodology will provide a consistent approach to accounting for the environmental benefits of SAF purchases, regardless of location,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s SVP Sustainability and Chief Economist.
“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.”
The association said the methodology will feature: purchase-based emissions calculations, irrespective of chain-of-custody used and SAF uplift locations, aligning with ICAO’s CORSIA approach; optional tank-to-wake (TTW) or well-to-wake (WTW) emissions factors to meet varying regulatory and voluntary requirements; a consistent accounting approach to address regulatory and voluntary compliance needs; no pre-judgement of additionality decisions by the claiming party, as long as no double counting occurs in the accounting of SAF emissions reduction; and guidance for SAF emissions reduction in per-passenger and per-shipment calculations.
The IATA said the methodology will ensure a level playing field, prevent double-counting, ensure integrity in environmental and reporting claims and transparent, verifiable data.
The methodology can be accessed here.