Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Corporate purchases of Environmental Attribute Certificates (EAc) could support the production of between 1 million and 1.9 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) annually by 2030, up from an estimated 323,000 tonnes in 2024, according to a study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airbus and Accenture.
The findings are based on a study of the SAF EAc market reported by IATA. The authors said this potential could be realised if barriers to corporate participation were addressed, including unclear accounting rules, high prices and complicated purchasing procedures.
Global SAF production is forecast to reach just 2.4 million tonnes in 2026, equivalent to 0.8% of total aviation fuel consumption. SAF currently costs two to three times as much as conventional jet fuel.
Environmental Attribute Certificates allow companies to account for emissions reductions associated with business travel and air freight under Scope 3 emissions. This approach can distribute part of the additional cost of SAF across a wider range of participants in the aviation value chain.
Achieving this requires a reliable book-and-claim system, under which companies can claim emissions reductions regardless of where the fuel is supplied and consumed.
Certificates currently cost between US$150 and US$500 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions reduced, while companies say they are willing to pay around US$300 per tonne.
Airlines remain the main source of certificates for corporate buyers, accounting for approximately 53% of sales.
The study identifies three priorities for expanding corporate demand. The first is establishing clear, consistent accounting rules to ensure that purchased emissions reductions are recognised. The second is developing transparent, interoperable tracking systems to prevent double counting. The third is simplifying purchases through greater price transparency, lower minimum purchase volumes and shorter contract terms.
“SAF is a critical tool for decarbonising aviation, but airlines cannot bear the cost of scaling it up alone,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist.
“Corporate buyers have a unique opportunity to help shape the SAF market, contribute to aviation’s energy transition and secure recognised Scope 3 emissions reductions,” she added.
However, corporate participation alone will not provide the volumes of SAF required by the aviation sector, Owens Thomsen said. Government support, effective incentives and a substantial expansion of production capacity remain necessary.
Jesko Neuenburg, Accenture’s lead for sustainability in aviation and travel, said only around 15% of companies surveyed currently purchase SAF.
“Most are waiting for lower prices, established carbon accounting rules and a simpler purchasing process,” he said.
Julien Manhes, Airbus Vice President for Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Carbon Dioxide Removal, said a book-and-claim system that provides corporate buyers with certainty over emissions accounting could turn companies’ interest in supporting SAF into firm financial commitments.
