The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have announced an enhanced cooperation framework to advance transparency and integrity in tracking the progress of sustainable aviation fuels. Aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), this alliance was unveiled during ICAO Aviation Climate Week.
A Strategic Alliance for Transparent SAF Tracking
The close collaboration between the aviation industry and Member States, backed by robust systems and high-quality data, primarily aims to enable transparent and credible monitoring of clean aviation energy sources.
Through this joint effort, both organizations seek to accurately measure the contribution of these fuels toward the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, aligning with the strategic ambitions and commitments of both IATA and ICAO.
Integration of Data Systems and Registries
As part of the agreement, both entities will explore how SAF registries and the data they collect can be integrated into global regulatory frameworks. The key focus areas of this evaluation include:
- Supporting LMR Methodology: Evaluating how the collected data will support the implementation of ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) Monitoring and Reporting (LMR) methodology.
- Fuel Accounting: Assessing the design and optimization of fuel accounting systems for international aviation.
Statements from Industry Leaders
“Credible tracking is necessary to determine the emissions reductions delivered by SAF. The data collected by the IATA SAF Registry, among others, has the potential to meet this need. By working with ICAO to strengthen how progress in SAF usage is measured and reported, we can accelerate deployment, build trust among stakeholders, and keep aviation on track toward net-zero by 2050.”
— Willie Walsh, IATA Director General.
International civil aviation authorities also emphasized the critical need for a collaborative transformation across the sector:
“Achieving ICAO’s vision of net-zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050 will require unprecedented levels of transparency and cooperation across the entire sector. This agreement will support the strengthening of ICAO’s leadership as we assist States and the industry in scaling up sustainable aviation fuels and other clean aviation energies.”
— Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary General.
Consolidating Global Accounting Systems
The conclusion of this agreement marks a definitive step toward enhancing global monitoring capabilities and increasing visibility into SAF production, distribution, and off-take. Armed with these tools, the aviation sector aims to guarantee the integrity of global fuel accounting systems, ensuring that climate investments are recognized consistently and transparently under established ICAO frameworks.
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