As companies expand their climate strategies beyond Scope 1 and 2, aviation emissions are increasingly coming into focus. For many organisations, business travel and air freight sit within Scope 3 and can represent a continuing and material, yet difficult to address, part of their footprint.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates (SAFc) are emerging as a practical way to act today on Scope 3 emissions. They offer a simple, flexible entry point for companies looking to address their aviation emissions without needing to directly procure or manage physical fuel supply.
Where SAFc fits in a Scope 3 strategy
Much like Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) for renewable electricity, SAFc separate the environmental attributes of low carbon fuel from the physical product itself. This allows companies to support and claim emissions reduction contributions linked to batches of Sustainable Aviation Fuels without being directly connected to where that fuel is used.
In practice, SAFc sit within a broader aviation ecosystem where both airlines and corporates play a role:
- Airlines typically purchase SAF (accompanied by Scope 1 SAFc certificates) for their own fuel use, to meet various global mandates put upon them
- Corporates can purchase Scope 3 SAFc (from additional SAF production) to address their emissions from business travel and logistics
- Both types of certificates originate from SAF entering the supply chain, but are tracked and allocated separately
This structure enables companies to take responsibility for their share of aviation emissions, while supporting the scale up of low carbon fuels.
Understanding mandated vs additional SAF
A key distinction in the SAFc model is the difference between mandated SAF and additional SAF.
Mandated SAF
SAF produced to meet government blending mandates. Mandated SAF use generates Scope 1 SAFc, whose use are tied to regulatory compliance.
Additional SAF
SAF produced and used beyond mandated requirements. This usage can generate additional Scope 3 SAFc. This is where voluntary corporate action plays a major role; corporate’s purchases of Scope 3 SAFc create the market to drive SAF production above and beyond the mandated level.
For corporates, the distinction between mandated and additional SAFc is important. It ensures that purchased SAFc are linked to SAF that goes beyond compliance requirements, supporting genuine SAF market growth rather than business as usual.
Our approach is aligned to this principle, with Scope 3 SAFc guaranteed to be generated from SAF that is additional to mandated requirements.
A simple, practical process for using SAFc
One of the strengths of SAFc is that the process is quite straightforward and familiar for teams already working with market-based instruments:
- Define the ambition: Quantify aviation emissions from business travel or freight and define a target for reduction.
- Source SAFc: Purchase Scope 3 SAF certificates linked to verified volumes of additional SAF used in flights.
- Track and retire: SAFc are accredited in accordance with leading global sustainability certification schemes, then issued and managed through registries, verifying the environmental and social integrity of the SAF, and ensuring traceability from production through to final retirement.
- Report and disclose: Use detailed retirement documentation to support internal reporting and external disclosures.
This mirrors the simplicity that has made EACs widely adopted in renewable electricity markets, offering a clear entry point without the complexity of long-term fuel agreements or direct investment.
Frameworks and claims - keeping it practical
Accounting for SAFc is still evolving, with ongoing work across industry initiatives and standard setters. What is already clear is that SAFc:
- Follow a book and claim model
- Are supported by registries, leading global sustainability certification schemes, and auditable documentation
- Are being developed to align with frameworks such as the GHG Protocol and SBTi
In practice, these frameworks play distinct but complementary roles:
The GHG Protocol provides the foundation for how aviation emissions are measured and reported within Scope 3.
SBTi sets expectations on how companies reduce those emissions over time, prioritising direct decarbonisation while recognising the role of market-based mechanisms in supporting system transition.
Recent developments in both the GHG Protocol and SBTi Net Zero Standard will outline how SAFc can be recognised for achieving reductions in aviation-related emissions. This is part of the new Actions and Market Instruments Standard from the GHG Protocol which will be finalised in 2028.
At the same time, under SBTi, they are best understood as a complement to, rather than a substitute for, absolute emissions reductions within a company’s value chain. For clients, the key point is not the technical detail, but that SAFc enable credible action today, supporting the scale-up of Sustainable Aviation Fuel while aligning with the direction of travel of both accounting and target-setting frameworks.
Climate Impact Partners' role in supporting SAFc strategies
As the SAF market develops, execution and clarity are critical. We support clients across the full process:
- Identifying the right starting point based on their aviation footprint
- Sourcing high-quality SAFc linked to additional SAF
- Managing certificate retirement through registries
- Providing clear, audit ready documentation for reporting
We act as the bridge between a complex emerging market and a simple, actionable solution for clients.
SAF Webinar
Rewatch our Intro to SAF webinar to learn about Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates (SAFc)
