CoSAFA intensifies aviation sustainability efforts

This is an incredibly exciting time for sustainability in aviation. Last week’s announcement of the establishment of the Council on Sustainable Aviation Fuels Accountability (CoSAFA) is a massive step-up in the aviation industry’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions. The goal of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative is to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050 and ensure carbon-neutral growth going forward. And this Tuesday, EBAA hosted its first European Business Aviation Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Summit to bring regulators, operators, and OEMs together to discuss the nitty-gritty of achieving these ambitious decarbonization goals.

It’s hoped that business aviation can pioneer a great awareness of, and ultimately, demand for SAF. The reality is that sustainable aviation fuels are available but not in widespread production, therefore not as widely available as traditional jet fuels. But the industry is united to ensure it does all it can to make SAF as accessible as possible, so operators can choose it without being concerned about getting their hands on a ready supply.

Complementing the work of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) which gives credit to aircraft operators for their use of SAF, CoSAFA answers the need for a system to efficiently match SAF supplies with demand, track chain of custody and use, and ensure consistency with environmental and sustainability criteria. Representing the entire aviation industry, CoSAFA will provide a structure supporting transactional transparency and accurate accounting practices for multi-party transactions so data is consistently reported, auditable, and traceable.

CoSAFA will be led by an expert Board of Directors with members of Airlines for America (A4A), European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). I have no doubt that it will be successful and encourage all my aviation peers to support its crucial work.

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