IATA Enhances Its CO2 Emissions Calculation Tool
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has improved its IATA CO2 Connect emissions calculator to account for carbon emission reductions resulting from the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
This update follows IATA’s recent publication of its SAF calculation and reporting methodology, which includes specific rules and practices on how SAF should be incorporated into CO2 emissions data per passenger. Initially, CO2 Connect will apply equal emissions reductions per passenger across an airline’s entire network, meaning all flights will benefit from the same percentage reduction based on total SAF purchases. In the future, there will be an option to allocate SAF emission reductions per passenger on specific routes.
What is SAF – Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) refers to an alternative type of fuel produced from renewable sources such as vegetable oils, organic waste, animal fats, or other sustainable feedstocks. This fuel is designed to reduce carbon emissions from air transport and contribute to the aviation industry’s sustainability goals.
What is the SAF Methodology and Why is it Important?
IATA has developed a SAF Accounting and Reporting Methodology, which provides a general framework establishing clear rules for reporting CO2 emissions reductions when airlines use SAF. This methodology ensures accurate, consistent, and transparent accounting of the climate benefits of this fuel.
“Corporations and individual travelers want to clearly understand how sustainable their flying is. And, particularly if they have invested in SAF, they want to know what impact it is having. By enhancing CO2 Connect with the IATA SAF Accounting and Reporting Methodology we are providing the transparency and accuracy that individuals and corporates demand,” said Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services.
Growing Participation in CO2 Connect
IATA CO2 Connect uses real operational data, such as fuel consumption specific to each aircraft type, provided directly by airlines. This approach differs from other calculators, which mainly rely on estimated averages.
With the recent inclusion of airlines such as Air India, Air Astana, Air Europa, Amelia, Clic Air, Corsair, Hi Fly, Oman Air, Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas, and Royal Air Maroc, approximately 60 airlines now contribute data to CO2 Connect. With each new airline participant, the accuracy and transparency of IATA’s CO2 Connect calculations improve—for both individual travelers and companies.
“With the strong support of all our participating airlines and the new ability to accurately account for SAF in the calculation, IATA CO2 Connect is going from strength to strength. It is a powerful tool to support aviation’s decarbonization powered by global standard methodologies and high-quality data,” added Leger.