In this blog, we summarize key insights shared by Russell Dyk, ACT’s Head of Sales in the Americas, and Milena Lopez, ACT’s Head of Research and Development in the Americas, who both attended the event and provided their reflections on the main themes of the symposium. 

SAF Production and the Path to Scaling 

A key takeaway from the symposium was the critical need to accelerate SAF production, a point emphasized by industry leaders such as Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. Despite the potential for SAF to fuel the current global fleet of 24,000 aircraft, production is limited, especially in regions like Latin America. Both Milena and Russell echoed the urgency surrounding this issue, noting that airlines are eager to increase SAF adoption, but the limited supply and higher costs make it difficult. 

Milena highlighted that airlines outside the U.S. and Europe, particularly in Latin America, face significant challenges in accessing SAF due to production constraints. “Airlines want to decarbonize, but without adequate supply of SAF, especially in emerging markets, they are struggling to meet their emissions goals,” she noted. “It’s clear that we need government incentives to drive investment in SAF production if we are to scale quickly enough to meet the 2050 net-zero target.” 

CORSIA Compliance: Beyond SAF 

The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) was another key focus of discussions. Airlines can meet their CORSIA obligations by purchasing CORSIA-eligible carbon credits and investing in SAF. However, as Russell pointed out, there is a significant lag in demand for carbon credits, despite their availability. Airlines seem more focused on SAF, even though carbon credits are a more cost-effective compliance strategy. 

“While CORSIA-eligible carbon credits provide an immediate solution to decarbonization, airlines are hesitant to engage in this market,” Russell observed. “The focus at WSS was largely on SAF, but the reality is that carbon credits, particularly CORSIA-labeled carbon credits, are a valuable tool that airlines can leverage now, while SAF production scales.” 

Public-Private Partnerships and Policy Support 

Government support and financial incentives were a recurring theme at WSS, with industry leaders advocating for global rather than regional solutions to the SAF supply challenge. “We need to harmonize regulations, particularly around SAF production and lifecycle assessments, to drive the aviation sector’s decarbonization efforts,” Russell noted. Governments must create a supportive policy environment to encourage investments in SAF production hubs globally 

As the industry grapples with scaling SAF production and meeting CORSIA targets, collaboration between the private sector and governments will be key. Milena pointed out the importance of public-private partnerships, especially in countries like Brazil, where the upcoming SAF mandate will set the stage for sustainable fuel production. “Brazil’s push for a SAF mandate, along with its experience in  biofuels under the RenovaBio program, offers valuable lessons for scaling sustainable fuels globally,” she said. 

Looking Forward: Actions and Opportunities 

While the aviation industry’s decarbonization efforts are underway, there is much more progress to be made. Events like WSS provide valuable roadmaps to move from setting ambitious goals to implementing actionable strategies. As the focus shifts towards practical solutions, it’s clear that both SAF and carbon credits are critical in helping the industry meet its emissions targets. 

Milena and Russell both emphasized that ACT’s expertise in facilitating corporate sustainability engagement with the aviation sector, combined with its global reach, positions it as a key player in helping airlines and businesses achieve their decarbonization targets. “Whether through book-and-claim SAF Certificate (SAFc) transactions or high-quality, CORSIA-eligible carbon credits, ACT has the tools and expertise to support the industry’s transition to a net-zero future,” Russell concluded. 

Lastly, ACT provides guidance to airlines, especially small and medium-sized carriers, on CORSIA strategy and SAF procurement. This ensures that airlines of all sizes can navigate the complexities of compliance and leverage SAF to meet their decarbonization goals efficiently.