SAF Book and Claim: Sustainable Aviation Fuel & Claim Explained

In the dynamic aviation landscape, sustainability is a paramount goal aimed at reducing the industry’s environmental footprint. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has emerged as an advanced and eco-friendly alternative to traditional aviation fuels. However, efficiently and sustainably distributing SAF presents a unique challenge. To address this challenge, the aviation industry has introduced the innovative Book and Claim system.

This article explains how the SAF Book and Claim system works, why it is critical for scaling SAF globally, and how certified chain-of-custody models support emissions reporting. It also compares Book and Claim with mass balance systems and highlights real-world adoption across business aviation.

Keypoints

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Book and Claim enables carbon emission reductions without physical fuel delivery.
• The system relies on certified registries, traceable certificates, and retirement mechanisms to avoid double counting.
• Book and Claim supports ICAO CORSIA objectives and accelerates SAF adoption in business aviation.

What is The SAF Book and Claim System & How Does it Function?

Book and claim is a chain of custody model that enables the transfer of SAF attributes, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, from the producer to the end-user, without requiring a physical link between them. The producer of SAF registers the amount and characteristics of the fuel in a dedicated registry, and issues certificates that represent the environmental benefits of the fuel.

The buyer of SAF purchases these certificates from the producer or a third-party intermediary, and claims the emission reductions for their own flights, regardless of the actual fuel they use. The certificates are then retired from the registry to avoid double counting.

Book and claim is similar to the system used for renewable electricity, where consumers can buy renewable energy certificates (RECs) to support the generation of green power, even if they do not receive the actual electricity from renewable sources.

Why is Book and Claim Important?

Book and claim offers several advantages for scaling up the production and consumption of SAF, especially for business aviation operators who face challenges in accessing the physical fuel. Some of these advantages are:

• It reduces the logistical and operational complexity and costs of transporting and storing SAF from the production site to the airport, and of ensuring the quality and integrity of the fuel along the supply chain.
• It increases the flexibility and choice for SAF buyers, who can purchase SAF attributes from any producer, regardless of their location, feedstock, or technology, and claim them for any flight, regardless of the origin, destination, or availability of SAF at the airport.
• It creates a global market for SAF, where supply and demand can be matched more efficiently, and where price signals can incentivize the development of new production capacity and innovation in SAF technologies and feedstocks.
• It supports the achievement of emission reduction goals for business aviation, such as the ones set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), or by the Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF Coalition), which aims to reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.

What is The Book and Claim Chain of Custody System?

The book and claim chain of custody system consists of four main steps:

1. Production

The SAF producer converts the feedstock into SAF, and blends it with fossil jet fuel according to the applicable standards and regulations. The SAF producer measures and verifies the amount and characteristics of the SAF, such as the GHG emission reductions, the feedstock origin, and the production technology, using a recognized certification scheme, such as the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) or the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).

2. Registration

The SAF producer registers the SAF in a dedicated registry, and receives certificates that represent the SAF attributes. Each certificate corresponds to a certain volume of SAF, such as one liter, and contains information on the GHG emission reductions, the feedstock origin, the production technology, and the certification scheme. The certificates are valid for a certain period of time, such as one year, and can be traded or transferred among different actors in the registry.

3. Claim

The SAF buyer purchases the certificates from the SAF producer or a third-party intermediary, such as a broker or a platform, and pays a premium price that reflects the environmental value of the SAF. The SAF buyer claims the emission reductions for their own flights, regardless of the actual fuel they use, and reports them to the relevant authorities or organizations, such as ICAO or the SAF Coalition.

The SAF buyer can also communicate their SAF purchase to their customers and stakeholders, and demonstrate their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and supporting the SAF industry.

4. Retirement

The SAF buyer retires the certificates from the registry, to avoid double counting or fraud. The retirement of the certificates is verified by the registry operator and the certification scheme, and is recorded in a public database, such as the ICAO CORSIA Eligible Emissions Unit Database or the RSB Certificate Database.

What Measurable Benefits Does Book & Claim Deliver for SAF Deployment?

Given that SAF fuel is currently produced in limited volumes and a select few global locations, optimizing the sustainability of its supply chain is paramount. By integrating SAF fuel aviation into the fuel system at airports near production facilities, the supply chain’s greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced.

A comprehensive optimization analysis demonstrates that introducing SAF at airports within 100 kilometers of production facilities reduces supply chain emissions by an average of 30% compared to long-distance transportation methods. SAF production near airports can reduce supply chain emissions by upping traditional aviation fuels. However, the Book and Claim sustainable aviation fuel proves its worth by:

• Cost Savings: Avoiding the establishment of a separate supply chain for SAF saves significant infrastructure costs. Building a separate SAF supply chain would require a multi-billion-dollar investment. However, implementing the Book and Claim system results in cost savings of up to $2 per liter of SAF, making it economically viable.
• Affordability: By avoiding extensive logistical expenses, SAF prices remain competitive, fostering its adoption in the aviation sector.
• Airline and Location Independence: Corporate buyers can source SAIF claims based on their total aviation footprint in a single transaction. This eliminates the need to negotiate separate agreements with individual airlines or locations.
• Customized Reduction: Buyers have the liberty to procure any volume of SAF, whether it’s for covering 100% of their fuel needs or achieving a carbon-neutral scenario. Unlike other methods, the Book and Claim system has no technical limitations, such as blending restrictions.

How Much Can SAF Reduce Aviation Emissions by 2050?

As the aviation industry charts a course towards sustainability, SAF claims it is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing emissions. Numerical projections underscore its significance:

• Emissions Reduction Potential: Experts estimate that SAF could contribute to as much as 65% of the emissions reductions required by the aviation industry by 2050.
• Production Growth: To meet this ambitious target, SAF production must undergo substantial growth. Currently, SAF claims accounts for a mere 1% of global jet fuel production, but this figure is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades.
• Cost Competitiveness: The greatest surge in SAF adoption is anticipated in the 2030s, when it is expected to become economically competitive with traditional kerosene.

How Does Book and Claim Differ from Mass Balance?

Mass balance is another chain of custody model that allows the physical commingling of SAF with conventional jet fuel across the supply chain, but requires a proportional allocation of the SAF attributes to the end-user. For example, if a producer blends 10% of SAF with 90% of fossil jet fuel, and sells the mixture to an airport, the airport can only claim 10% of SAF for the fuel it delivers to the aircraft.

Mass balance has some benefits, such as ensuring the physical delivery of SAF to the airport and the aircraft, and providing a quality assurance for the fuel. However, it also has some limitations, such as:

• It requires a robust tracking and verification system to avoid double counting or fraud along the supply chain, which can increase the administrative and operational costs and complexity for the SAF producers and buyers.
• It limits the availability and choice of SAF for the end-user, who can only claim the SAF that is physically delivered to the airport where they operate, and who may face regional or seasonal variations in the supply and price of SAF.
• It does not fully reflect the environmental performance of SAF, as the GHG emission reductions depend on the feedstock and technology used to produce SAF, not on the blending ratio with fossil jet fuel.

Book and claim, on the other hand, does not require a physical link between the SAF producer and the end-user, and allows the full claim of the SAF attributes, regardless of the blending ratio or the location of the fuel. This gives more flexibility and transparency to the SAF buyers, who can choose the SAF producer that best suits their environmental and economic preferences, and claim the emission reductions for any flight they operate.

Examples of Book and Claim Initiatives in the Business Aviation Industry

Several business aviation stakeholders have already adopted the Book and Claim system for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), proving that it works in real operational environments. The examples below show how different approaches support emission reductions even when physical SAF is not available at the airport.

Book and Claim Registry Integrated with Flight Planning Platforms (2020)

In 2020, an aviation fuel provider introduced a Book and Claim registry to improve access to SAF for business and general aviation operators. This system allows operators to reduce emissions even when SAF cannot be physically supplied at their departure or destination airports.

The SAF used in this program is produced from waste-based feedstocks such as used cooking oil and animal fat and is certified under ISCC sustainability standards. Through integration with flight planning and fuel management platforms, customers can purchase SAF certificates online and receive digital confirmation along with a detailed sustainability report. The program has been used by fractional ownership operators, business aviation service providers, and on-demand charter operators.

Global SAF Supplier Book and Claim Program (2019)

In 2019, a SAF pioneer launched a Book and Claim program designed for corporate and business aviation customers seeking flexible emission reduction solutions. The program enables customers to purchase SAF attributes from a global supply network rather than relying on physical fuel availability.

SAF within this system is produced from a variety of certified feedstocks, including used cooking oil, forestry residues, and municipal solid waste, and is verified under RSB certification schemes. Customers can select the SAF volume, feedstock type, and production location, receiving formal certificates and sustainability documentation. This approach has been adopted by business aviation operators, corporate biofuel programs, and multinational corporations.

Producer-Led Book and Claim Access Model (2020)

In 2020, a leading SAF producer introduced a Book and Claim solution aimed at business aviation operators unable to access SAF locally. This model allows customers to purchase SAF certificates through partner networks such as fuel distributors and airport operators.

The SAF used in this program is certified under ISCC and produced from sustainable waste-based feedstocks. Upon purchase, customers receive verified certificates and sustainability reports confirming the environmental benefits. The program has supported emission reduction efforts for aircraft manufacturers, business jet operators, and private jet management companies.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does SAF Book and Claim mean in aviation?

SAF Book and Claim allows operators to purchase verified emission reduction certificates without physically refueling SAF at their departure airport.

2. Is Book and Claim accepted under ICAO CORSIA?

Yes. When supported by approved certification schemes and registries, Book and Claim aligns with ICAO CORSIA sustainability principles.

3. Does Book and Claim involve double counting risks?

No. Certificates are retired in recognized registries, ensuring each SAF attribute is claimed only once.

4. How is SAF Book and Claim different from carbon offsets?

Book and Claim represents in-sector emission reductions tied directly to SAF production, unlike offsets that compensate emissions externally.

5. Can business aviation operators use Book and Claim globally?

Yes. The system is location-independent, allowing operators to claim SAF benefits regardless of airport availability.

6. Who certifies SAF used in Book and Claim systems?

Certification bodies such as ISCC and RSB verify feedstocks, lifecycle emissions, and sustainability compliance.

At Just Aviation, our commitment to sustainability fuels our mission. As we conclude this exploration into the realm of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the transformative Book and Claim system, we stand at the forefront of aviation innovation. Our journey towards greener skies continues, driven by technology, eco-consciousness, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Sources

• IATA – Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
• Sustainable Alternative Fuel (SAF) | IBAC
• https://aviationbenefits.org/environmental-efficiency/climate-action/sustainable-aviation-fuel/what-makes-an-aviation-fuel-sustainable/
• https://sustainable.mit.edu/sustainablefuel/
• https://www.iata.org/contentassets/d13875e9ed784f75bac90f000760e998/saf-policy-2023.pdf