The Case for Book-and-Claim in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Distribution
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and a coalition of stakeholders, including aircraft manufacturers, operators, airports, and fuel producers, call for a clear plan to implement a book-and-claim system under the ReFuelEU regulations. Their goal is to facilitate the widespread use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Europe, overcoming logistical and economic barriers currently hindering adoption.
Book-and-claim is an innovative accounting mechanism that enables organizations to purchase SAF without requiring its physical delivery to a specific airport. Instead, the emissions reductions associated with the fuel are credited to the buyer, allowing airlines and operators to support SAF production even when direct access is unavailable. This model has already been successfully used in other sectors, such as renewable energy certificates, and could significantly accelerate the aviation industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.
Why a Flexible Approach is Needed
The aviation industry faces multiple challenges in scaling up SAF adoption, ranging from production bottlenecks to cost concerns. SAF is currently priced between 1.5 to 10 times higher than conventional jet fuel, creating economic disincentives for its widespread use. Additionally, physical supply constraints mean that many European airports will not have direct access to SAF in the short to medium term.
The coalition argues that a book-and-claim system would allow for more equitable SAF distribution, preventing structural imbalances and reducing overall costs across the EU market. By decoupling physical supply from emissions accounting, the system ensures that investment in SAF continues even in regions where production and delivery logistics remain challenging.
The Role of Policy in Driving SAF Expansion
Regulatory frameworks play a critical role in the adoption of cleaner fuels. The European Commission’s current ReFuelEU Aviation proposal mandates fuel suppliers to provide physical SAF supplies at major European airports. However, without additional flexibility, this requirement may be difficult to implement in practice, given the uneven availability of SAF production facilities.
By integrating book-and-claim into ReFuelEU, the EU could stimulate SAF demand while supporting the scaling of production infrastructure. A clear regulatory pathway would provide certainty to investors, fostering further development of SAF technologies and feedstock supply chains.
Industry Commitment and the Path Forward
The aviation industry has demonstrated a growing commitment to sustainability through initiatives such as the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), and voluntary environmental reporting through CDP. Book-and-claim complements these efforts by offering a verified, transparent mechanism to account for SAF usage without the constraints of direct physical supply.
VURDHAAN actively supports aviation stakeholders in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and implementing effective sustainability strategies. By leveraging expertise in emissions accounting and compliance, VURDHAAN assists airlines and operators in aligning with SAF mandates while optimizing their sustainability performance.
Conclusion: A Market-Driven, Scalable SAF Solution
The book-and-claim system presents a pragmatic solution to accelerate SAF adoption across Europe. By reducing logistical constraints and making SAF investment more accessible, this mechanism can play a crucial role in meeting aviation decarbonization targets. A coordinated approach between industry players and policymakers will be essential to ensuring the system’s successful implementation, paving the way for a more sustainable aviation sector.