Scheme launched to provide independent verification of SAF traceability in the UK

The absence of a consistent mechanism to verify sustainable aviation fuel traceability has limited the ability of airline operators to demonstrate GHG emissions reductions under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and of fuel suppliers to provide robust evidence of SAF sustainability credentials to customers. So claims the not-for-profit Zemo Partnership, which has launched RFAS Aviation, a new voluntary assurance scheme designed to provide independent verification of SAF across the UK supply chain. The initiative builds on the established Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS), which Zemo, formerly Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, says is widely used in the road transport sector and has approved 58 companies across the UK and Europe. Valero Energy is the first SAF supplier to be approved under RFAS Aviation.

Zemo says the scheme introduces a mechanism for verifying the traceability of SAF from the point of blending with conventional aviation fuel and then across the UK distribution network to the airport. Zemo has developed a standardised SAF Declaration, enabling fuel suppliers to provide verified SAF production pathway, feedstock and lifecycle GHG emissions data.

“This SAF Declaration serves a trusted, auditable record that can be used by airline operators to support emissions reduction claims under the UK ETS, while also enhancing transparency and confidence across the aviation fuel supply chain,” says Zemo.

Gloria Esposito, Director of Sustainable Business, said Zemo Partnership had closely collaborated with the Environment Agency, one of the UK regulators for the UK ETS, to ensure SAF Declarations aligned with UK ETS requirements and supported credible emission reduction claims.

Open to companies supplying SAF to the UK aviation sectors, RFAS Aviation aims to enable consistent and credible communication of SAF attributes to customers and strengthen transparency as SAF volumes increase in the UK fuel mix, adds Zemo. It is also designed to prevent cross-market attribution to aviation claims by ensuring kerosene supplied for other uses, such as heating, is excluded.

Zemo’s membership includes representatives of automotive and fuel supply chains, vehicle users, academics and environment groups.

Photo: US-headquartered Valero Energy’s UK refinery in Pembroke

Christopher Surgenor
Editor