Energy Web Foundation and its co-founder RMI are building a blockchain-based SAFc registry for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) certificates. The objective is to increase transparency and promote the use of more sustainable fuels. Current SAF production levels are insufficient for companies that want their staff to fly more sustainably.

The work is part of a project for the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA), founded by numerous big names: Bank of America, Boston Consulting Group, Boeing, Deloitte, Meta, JP Morgan, McKinsey & Co, Microsoft, Netflix and Salesforce.

Sustainable aviation fuel is made from renewable sources, such as plant or animal material, used cooking oil, and waste. Regarding CO2 emissions, it can be up to 80% less polluting than conventional fuels. And since SAF is not that different from conventional fuels, it can be mixed with them and used without modifying engines. However, SAF currently represents a fraction of 1% of total fuel use.

“The development of the SAFc registry represents the first major milestone for the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance, delivering on our promise to remove barriers and create the tools necessary to decarbonise the aviation sector,” said Kim Carnahan, Director of the Secretariat and General Director of SABA. Director of Net Zero Fuels at Engie Impact.

Because SAF is so scarce, there is a small accounting challenge. What if a traveler’s employer pays for the SAF fuel, but that particular flight doesn’t use the fuel? That is where SAFc will help. Because even though a different flight may use the SAF fuel, the passenger on the conventionally fueled flight will pay for it. In some ways, this is not that different from electricity from renewable energy, which is mixed with conventional sources.

The registry is intended to be operational by mid-2023.

Energy Web participates in another SAF project with Accenture, Amex and Shell called Avelia. The goal is to sign up some of Amex Global Business Travel’s 19,000 corporate clients.