Enabling Credible and Transparent Claims
Current supply chain certification systems cover sustainability, GHG emissions reductions, and traceability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from feedstock production to airport delivery. Until recently, there have been limited systems available to secure traceability and credibility of claims once SAF has been delivered to the airport.
This presents a challenge for organisations seeking to reduce their emissions footprint from air travel and transportation. To close this gap, we have developed the ISCC Credit Transfer System. Through integration with the ISCC Registry, a secure online database, the transfer of sustainability claims for SAF throughout the downstream value chain becomes possible. This solution enables SAF suppliers, aircraft operators, logistics providers, and end-customers to confidently track and allocate sustainability benefits associated with SAF use, supporting their voluntary climate disclosures.
Why does SAF matter on the pathway to net-zero?
One of the greatest challenges of our time is the fight against climate change. The urgent need to lower greenhouse gas emissions has also been recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the aviation industry. ICAO Member States have set ambitious targets to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from air transportation, including a collective long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. With aviation generally considered a ‘hard-to-abate’ sector, widespread adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) is recognised as a key lever to achieving ambitious emission reduction goals.
SAF, a liquid fuel used in commercial aviation, is produced from renewable sources such as biomass, waste oils and fats, or green hydrogen, and reduces CO2 by up to 80%. The chemical and physical characteristics of SAF are nearly identical to those of conventional jet fuel, and they can be safely mixed with the latter to varying degrees, using the same supply infrastructure, and do not require the adaptation of aircraft or engines. For SAF to be deemed ‘sustainable’ it must meet a range of sustainability criteria, including a reduction in GHG emissions and ensuring feedstocks for production are not cultivated on high carbon stock lands.
To accelerate the aviation sector’s transition towards net-zero, a rapid ramp-up of SAF deployment is needed. International agreements such as the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) CORSIA, and regional SAF policies such as the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation will play a major role, in addition to voluntary SAF purchases beyond SAF emissions reduction trajectories already mandated by governmental policies.
How Does the ISCC Credit Transfer System Work?
SAF Delivery to the Airport
The SAF supplier delivers sustainably certified SAF to the airport.
Register Credits in the ISCC Registry
The SAF supplier registers SAF credits in the ISCC Registry, corresponding to the quantity of SAF delivered. Each metric ton of SAF creates both a Scope 1 and Scope 3 credit, in line with GHG accounting principles defined by the GHG Protocol.
Transfer Credits in the ISCC Registry
The SAF supplier transfers SAF credits in the ISCC Registry to organisations in its downstream value chain, including aircraft operators, logistics providers and end-customers.
Retire Credits in the ISCC Registry
Organisations retire credits available in their account. The ISCC Registry automatically issues a retirement declaration.
Claim SAF Credits
The retirement declaration includes information for the organisation to claim the sustainability characteristics associated with the retired credits towards their voluntary climate disclosures.
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Benefits of the ISCC Credit Transfer System
SAF Suppliers
- “Plug-and-play” system that complements existing supply chain certification systems
- Simple integration into existing (ISCC) trader certification via add-on audit as part of regular audits
Aircraft Operators
- Practical and straightforward way of recording emissions reductions from SAF use
- Allocation of SAF benefits to end-customers, integration into corporate traveler programs possible
The ISCC Registry
A secure and standardised database for digitally tracking all SAF credit transactions
How to Get Involved:
Is the ISCC Credit Transfer System the Right Fit for You?
If you are a SAF supplier*, aircraft operator, logistics provider or end-customer looking to credibly reduce GHG emissions from air travel or transport, then yes! Make sure to establish commercial business relationship with partner organisations, outside the ISCC registry.
*SAF suppliers must hold valid trader certification in order to register credits and participate in the ISCC Credit Transfer System.
Trader certification can be achieved to any of the following certification schemes
- A sustainability certification scheme (SCS) recognised by ICAO under CORSIA, including ISCC CORSIA
- A voluntary scheme (VS) recognised by the European Commission under the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), including ISCC EU
- ISCC PLUS
Become familiar with the ISCC Credit Transfer System
Review the System Document to learn more about the principles, requirements, and capabilities of the system.
Choose a Primary Contact Person
This person will be the main contact person for ISCC and be responsible for all transactions, communications and updates of the system.
Sign up for the ISCC Registry
Please register here on the website of the ISCC Registry. We will review your request and get back to you as soon as possible. Please note that SAF suppliers must undergo a trader certification add-on under ISCC.
Start transacting
Congratulations, you are on your way to transacting SAF credits and making credible claims!
What ISCC Stakeholders Say:
System Document “ISCC Credit Transfer System”
The System Document explains the background and motivation for establishing the system, lays out its guiding principles, and details the general functioning of the system, including the handling of credits within the ISCC Registry (i.e., registration, transfer, and retirement of credits). Furthermore, it includes requirements for auditing and verification. Lastly, it features provisions and recommendations on how GHG emissions reductions from SAF credits retired through the ISCC Registry should be accounted for and claimed in companies’ GHG inventories.