The International Air Transport Association (IATA), Airbus and Accenture released aSAF Environmental Attribute Certificate (EAc) Market study which estimates that corporate purchases could support between 1.0 million and 1.9 million tonnes of SAF by 2030, up from an estimated 323,000 tonnes in 2024. This is a strong demand signal for more SAF production, provided factors limiting corporate participation, such as unclear accounting rules, high prices, and purchasing complexity, are addressed.
SAF can significantly reduce aviation emissions compared with conventional jet fuel, but global production in 2026 is expected to be just 2.4 million tonnes or 0.8% of total jet fuel use and it remains two to three times more expensive than conventional jet fuel.
Enabling corporates to meet scope 3 emissions objectives (for business travel and air cargo shipments) through SAF EAc purchases would help co-share the SAF cost by expanding the market to more participants in the value chain. This would require a robust and effective book-and-claim system that enables the claim of the SAF emissions reduction benefits by corporates regardless of where the fuel is delivered and ultimately consumed.
“SAF is aviation’s most important decarbonization lever, but airlines cannot shoulder the cost of scaling it up alone. Corporate buyers have a unique opportunity to help build the SAF market, contribute to the cost of air transport’s energy transition, and benefit from recognized scope 3 emissions reductions in the process. The potential is substantial, but it will only be realized if companies can participate with confidence, knowing that their contributions will count and that the process is simple and credible. Getting these foundations right will help unlock investment, grow the market, and accelerate SAF production,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.
