Study: Standardization critical to unlocking credible SAF certificate market

123Carbon, a leading independent platform for carbon insetting, has released a report, “Comparative Analysis of Scope 3 SAF Certificates,” which examines how sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) certificates are currently structured and used by airlines and fuel providers.

The analysis finds significant disparities in the quality, completeness and transparency of certificate data, creating uncertainty for airlines, freight forwarders and corporate customers seeking to integrate SAF into their climate strategies. 

Aviation remains one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonize, contributing roughly 4 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions when non-CO2 effects are included.  

While new propulsion technologies such as hydrogen and electric aircraft remain years from large-scale viability, SAF is widely recognized as the most practical near-term solution for reducing aviation emissions. 

The sector also faces a long-standing “chicken-and-egg” dynamic, with fuel producers requiring strong demand signals before investing in large-scale production, while airlines and corporate buyers hesitate to commit without clear accounting frameworks and credible emissions claims. 

Scope 3 SAF environmental attribute certificates (EAC)—supported through established book-and-claim systems—have emerged as a potential solution to accelerating the adoption and development of SAF, allowing companies to support SAF deployment and claim-associated emissions reductions.  

Their effectiveness, however, depends on transparent data, standardized accounting rules and robust verification. 

To assess the current state of the market, the study analyzed seven SAF certificates issued by five airlines and two fuel suppliers across Europe, North America and Asia.  

Evaluated against the Smart Freight Centre’s market-based measures framework, the certificates showed major inconsistencies.  

Of the 22 key data points assessed, only three were consistently included across all certificates, while six were missing entirely.  

None of the certificates reviewed included a statement of additionality, and clear verification protocols to prevent double counting were largely absent. 

“Credible SAF EACs are a critical mechanism for scaling sustainable aviation fuel, but the market will only grow if stakeholders can trust the integrity of the system,” said Jeroen van Heiningen, CEO and founder of 123Carbon. “Our analysis shows that current certificates vary significantly in the quality and completeness of their data, and in many cases lack the verification protocols needed to prevent double counting. Establishing standardized data structures, transparent registries and robust verification processes is essential if SAF certificates are to provide the confidence airlines, shippers and corporate buyers need to invest in aviation decarbonization at scale.” 

Christoph Wolff, CEO of Smart Freight Centre, added, “SFC supports the further strengthening of transparency and standardization of book and claim in aviation. This is one of the most powerful levers we have available to us to better connect supply to demand. Through our work in the market-based measures framework we seek to further strengthen trust and integrity of the certificates that are becoming an accepted market practice. The analysis conducted is a valuable contribution, ensuring we close the gap from the framework to practice.”  

Nicolas Duchêne, the president and CEO of Normec Verifavia, said, “Normec Verifavia has been verifying SAF programs since the early days. As volumes scale, so does the risk of inconsistency and double counting. The solution isn’t complicated—standardize what goes into a certificate, standardize how it gets verified and make registries talk to each other. Transparent interoperable registries, harmonized documentation and independent assurance are essential to strengthen the credibility of aviation’s decarbonization trajectory.”  

The report concludes that stronger industry collaboration will be required to develop interoperable registries, standardized certificate formats and consistent verification processes to ensure SAF certificates can effectively support aviation’s path to net zero. 

The full report can be found here.