Summary
Details
- Global
Companies that join the alliance are expected to disclose aviation emissions and participate in SAF procurement programmes.
Participation in SABA is voluntary.
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What’s Required
The Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance was launched in 2021 by the Rocky Mountain Institute and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). The initiative aims to accelerate the commercial development of sustainable aviation fuel markets by mobilising corporate demand.
Sustainable aviation fuel is a lower-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel produced from renewable feedstocks such as waste oils, agricultural residues, or synthetic fuels generated using renewable electricity.
Companies joining SABA commit to purchasing SAF environmental attributes through a market mechanism known as book-and-claim accounting. Under this system, companies purchase certificates representing emissions reductions associated with SAF production, even if the fuel itself is used by airlines on different routes.
Corporate participants must quantify aviation emissions associated with their business travel and logistics operations. These emissions serve as the baseline for SAF procurement commitments.
Members commit to purchasing SAF certificates equivalent to a portion of their aviation emissions footprint. This procurement helps finance the production of sustainable aviation fuel while allowing companies to account for associated emissions reductions.
The initiative aggregates demand from multiple companies to negotiate large-scale SAF supply contracts with fuel producers and airlines.
Participating companies must disclose SAF procurement volumes and emissions reductions achieved through the programme. This reporting helps demonstrate progress toward corporate climate commitments.
SABA also works with policymakers and aviation stakeholders to develop accounting frameworks that ensure the environmental integrity of SAF certificate systems.
Important Deadlines
Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance launch: 2021
Corporate SAF procurement commitments typically align with corporate net-zero timelines and aviation decarbonization targets between 2030 and 2050.
Annual reporting of SAF procurement volumes is expected.
Current Status
SABA includes multinational corporations from sectors such as technology, finance, and manufacturing.
The initiative supports the development of new sustainable aviation fuel production facilities and supply chains.
Corporate demand aggregation through SABA is helping to reduce market risk for SAF producers and attract investment in low-carbon aviation fuel technologies.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
There are no formal legal penalties for failing to meet procurement commitments.
However, companies that fail to demonstrate credible SAF procurement may face reputational scrutiny from investors and climate stakeholders.
Examples of Known Violations
Common challenges include:
uncertainty in lifecycle emissions accounting for sustainable aviation fuels.
limited global supply of SAF relative to aviation demand.
high production costs compared with conventional jet fuel.
lack of consistent regulatory frameworks governing SAF certificate systems-
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