By Eva Richardson | Published on April 4, 2025
In a defining moment for aviation’s decarbonisation journey, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has officially launched its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry, a critical new platform designed to bring transparency, accountability, and accessibility to the global SAF market.
Developed in collaboration with airlines, governments, fuel producers, and corporate buyers, the SAF Registry aims to standardize SAF transactions, track environmental benefits, and support emissions claims for both regulatory and voluntary schemes — positioning the aviation industry closer to its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The registry, now managed by the newly formed Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO) — a non-profit entity headquartered in Montreal — will be free to use until April 2027, after which it will operate on a cost-recovery basis. More than 30 early adopters are already in the onboarding process.
A Global SAF Market, Connected and Credible
As SAF remains in limited supply and unevenly distributed, the registry is a response to one of aviation’s most pressing bottlenecks: how to scale SAF adoption globally and track its environmental impact with integrity.
“Aviation’s decarbonisation is a team effort,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s SVP of Sustainability and Chief Economist. “By launching this registry, we’ve provided a platform that ensures all airlines — regardless of geography — can access SAF and confidently claim its benefits against their climate-related obligations.”
Key features of the registry include:
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Immutable tracking of SAF environmental attributes, preventing double-counting and reinforcing data integrity;
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Technology- and feedstock-neutral design to promote SAF diversity;
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Compatibility with global regulations, while fostering harmonization across borders;
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Interoperability with other registries, ensuring open markets and competitive SAF sourcing;
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Integration of corporate customers, allowing them to co-finance SAF and claim in-sector emissions reductions.
This last element is particularly notable, as it enables corporate climate leadership through direct investment in SAF — a growing demand among multinationals seeking scope 3 emissions reductions through sustainable travel and logistics.
A Foundation for the Future of Decarbonisation
The registry’s development and launch were driven by consultation with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and fuel suppliers to government agencies and corporate travel managers.
With CADO now taking over day-to-day operations — and IATA continuing to provide technical and operational support — the registry is envisioned as a long-term infrastructure that can evolve alongside the industry’s decarbonisation ambitions.
“The registry cannot produce miracles on its own, but without it, no miracles can be produced,” Thomsen noted. “It is a historic advance — one that builds the trust, structure, and incentives needed to transition toward a liquid, global SAF market.”
Next Steps: Building Momentum
As global regulators sharpen their focus on emissions accountability and carbon markets, the SAF Registry is set to play a pivotal role in how aviation aligns with climate frameworks like CORSIA, the EU ETS, and other regional mandates.
Moreover, the transparent, standardized data it provides will help de-risk SAF investments, encourage new production pathways, and help connect supply with demand, irrespective of geography — a feature especially critical for developing SAF hubs in emerging markets.
For now, IATA’s priority is to scale participation and demonstrate the registry’s value in real-world use cases. With over 30 organizations already onboard and growing momentum for climate-aligned air travel, the registry may soon become a cornerstone of aviation’s decarbonisation playbook.
