IATA net zero policy urges international SAF cooperation
September 25, 2024
In its newly-updated Net Zero emissions roadmap policy, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has emphasised the importance of multi-national strategic policy strengthening, including the creation of a global SAF accounting framework, as it seeks to promote increasing production and adoption of the fuel at volume.
This would ensure transparency and prevent double counting of SAF’s environmental benefits, stated IATA, adding that immediate action is needed to unlock the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs) and prioritise SAF in the product mix at refineries.
As such, IATA lists its immediate policy objectives (until the end of 2025) as including the unlocking of “sufficient quantities” of EEUs, increasing the share of SAF production in the mix of existing renewable fuel production, building a SAF accounting framework, and ensuring the environmental integrity of offsetting credits.
From 2026-2030, priorities shift towards the ramping up of SAF production from non-biological feedstocks – although in the short term, IATA reiterated that as the “overwhelming majority of the SAF volume over the next five years will be derived from HEFA… governments should refrain from capping the HEFA pathway under a SAF mandate to allow airlines to take full advantage of the immediate readiness of HEFA SAF production”.
However, IATA added that as “technology-push policy instruments are needed to accelerate the development and commercial viability of new solutions,” mandates should not be imposed in isolation. Such policies could include state-funded R&D programmes, public-private R&D partnerships, ensuring free access to public R&D facilities; all of which will enhance ongoing efforts “pertaining to novel carbon dioxide removal technologies” – defined as one of three core actions needed to meet net zero by 2050 (alongside adopting zero-carbon fuel and the reduction of fuel use outright).
