There are many developments happening around SAF policies and reporting. On this page, you can read through the progress being made within key reporting groups.
SABA SAFc Registry
Between 10-28 July it is possible to test the beta version of the SABA* SAFc Registry. This registry will make it possible to track SAF claims within one database. SkyNRG has been involved in the design process and is looking forward to testing the system.
We encourage everyone that has access to test the system and provide their feedback, to make sure the system is fit for purpose. The target date for the Registry to be operational is (end of) Q3 this year.
*SABA: Sustainable Aviation Buyer’s Alliance
Greenhouse Gas Protocol
At the end of 2022, GHGP* made 4 surveys available, with the goal to inventorize the need for updates to the Scope 1, 2 and 3 standards as well as Market-Based Measures. These surveys were due mid-March 2023, and received many responses according to GHGP.
Based on GHGP’s latest update on the surveys, the updated standards would be ready for implementation in Q1 of 2025. In the interim period SkyNRG will remain active in advocating for integration of Book & Claim (for SAF) as a suitable solution to reduce emissions.
*GHGP: The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is a comprehensive global standardised framework for accounting and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this field, the GHG Protocol establishes the most widely used standards in the world.
UK mandate
The UK government has taken further steps to realize a SAF mandate. Up until end of June, the UK SAF mandate for fuel suppliers was up for consultation.
The UK has proposed ambitious goals with a 10 % SAF mandate in combination with a cap on HEFA based SAF. The result will be that the UK market has to be supplied with innovative methodologies to produce SAF. The risk exists that not enough SAF will be available.
Green Claims Directive
The European Commission has come with a proposal to tackle green washing through the Green Claims Directive. The proposed directive sets a series of measures on environmental claims through an amendment in the Unfair Common Practices Directive, which now disallows deceiving through environmental claims or social impact claims. Furthermore, four practices are regarded as unfair:
- Displaying a sustainability label which is not based on a certification scheme or not established by public authorities.
- Making a generic environmental claim for which the trader is not able to demonstrate recognized excellent environmental performance relevant to the claim.
- Making an environmental claim about the entire product when it concerns only a certain aspect of the product.
- Presenting requirements imposed by law on all products in the relevant product category on the Union market as a distinctive feature of the trader’s offer.
The proposal on empowering consumers for the green transition thus addresses a wide range of practices, products and sales methods in a more generalized way. It provides important safeguards to protect consumers from misleading environmental claims and unreliable labels.
Furthermore, the proposal requires that the substantiation of explicit environmental claims shall be based on an assessment that meets the selected minimum criteria to prevent claims from being misleading.
RED II and ReFuel EU
The update to the RED II, the RED III, is finally moving forward after weeks of discussions and reopening of files (mainly by France), even after the trilogue had ended. Council representatives agreed on a corrected version of RED III on 16 June. This means this file is now back in the normal legislative track and expected to be approved by the Parliament in September.
RED II Delegated Acts (Art. 27 and 28) on what constitutes renewable hydrogen and the GHG calculation rules are now final. This provides the much needed certainty around the GHG profile and business case of hydrogen-based fuels.
ReFuel EU
ReFuelEU* discussions in the EU have reached a breakthrough in Q2, with a provisional deal having been reached on 25 April between the European Council and Parliament. RED III talks have stalled final adoption. The European Parliament has already adopted the deal, and Council is expected to follow over Summer.
*ReFuelEU: This initiative aims to boost the supply and demand for sustainable aviation fuels in the EU.