BEYOND NEUTRAL

Level Three requires a 5% direct emission reduction.

Carbon offsetting is designed to help us in the short-run, but we need to continue work to reduce emissions in the long-run. Emissions reductions can be achieved through operational changes, buying new aircraft, or most prominently through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

SAF is jet fuel that is made from sustainable, non-fossil sources. It is blended with fossil jet fuel and certified under the same standard, ASTM D1655, which makes it a drop in solution — this means no modifications to transportation, storage, or aircraft are needed to use it. The largest “feedstock” is currently waste oils like used cooking oil or grease. In a life-cycle analysis, this source can reduce emissions by as much as 90%, depending on the feedstock.

As a result of limited commercial quantities of SAF available, a book and claim solution has been introduced to allow one person to use SAF, while another claims the benefit.

Book and Claim

Book and claim works like a renewable energy credit by introducing sustainable fuel into the fuel stream in one location while elsewhere someone is able to purchase and claim the attribute (a SAF credit or “SAFc”) of the emissions reduction. Through a registry, gallon renewable ID numbers and carbon intensities prevent double counting and ensure accurate emissions reductions are claimed. This system facilitates the development and deployment of SAF while maximizing emissions reductions and minimizing transportation.

Under 4AIR’s program, 4AIR can facilitate direct uplift or acquisition and retirement of SAFc through book and claim.