In a recent webinar hosted by EcoEngineers on September 10^th, experts from EcoEngineers and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) focused on the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the opportunities for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). CORSIA is a global program that helps airlines reduce carbon emissions by using lower-carbon fuels, such as SAF, or purchasing carbon credits. SAF is made from renewable sources and must meet sustainability standards. Most airlines currently use credits, but SAF’s role is growing.

As EcoEngineers’ Managing Director Kristine Klavers said during the webinar, “SAF is the best-known lever we have to decarbonize aviation.” The goal is to make flying more sustainable.

The session concluded with a Q&A addressing various technical and regulatory aspects of CORSIA SAF and lower-carbon aviation fuel (LCAF). Below is a brief FAQ from the presentation. You can watch the webinar on demand here. Additionally, a more detailed look at the questions asked during the webinar will be published in the coming weeks.

1. What is CORSIA?

   CORSIA is a global market-based mechanism developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to achieve carbon-neutral growth in the aviation industry.

2. What is the main objective of CORSIA?

   The primary objective of CORSIA is to achieve carbon-neutral growth within the aviation industry based on a baseline set according to the sector’s 2019 emissions.

3. How does CORSIA work?

   CORSIA works by setting a baseline for emissions and requiring airlines to offset emissions that exceed this baseline through the purchase of offsetting credits or the use of CORSIA-eligible fuels.

4. Which countries participate in CORSIA?

   CORSIA is implemented by member states of ICAO, which include 193 countries. Participation is voluntary until 2027, after which it becomes mandatory for certain states.

5. What happens if an airline does not comply with CORSIA?

   Penalties for non-compliance are determined by the member states that implement CORSIA within their respective legal frameworks. These penalties can vary by country.

6. How are offsetting requirements calculated under CORSIA?

   Offsetting requirements are calculated based on the emissions that fall within the scope of CORSIA for a given year, multiplied by the sectoral growth factor for that year.

7. What are CORSIA-eligible fuels?

   CORSIA-eligible fuels include SAF and LCAF. These fuels must meet specific sustainability criteria and achieve a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 10% compared to conventional aviation fuels.

8. What is the difference between SAF and LCAF?

   SAF is made from renewable or waste-derived sources, while LCAF is fossil-based but produced with processes that reduce its life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10%. Both must meet ICAO CORSIA sustainability criteria and be certified by approved schemes. The key difference is that SAF is renewable, whereas LCAF is an improved fossil fuel with stricter requirements due to its origin.

9. How is SAF certified under CORSIA?

   SAF must be certified by sustainability certification schemes approved by ICAO, such as the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), and ClassNK. The certification process ensures that the fuel meets the sustainability criteria and achieves the required emissions reductions.

10. What is the role of SAF registries?

    SAF registries track the production and use of SAF to ensure traceability and prevent double-counting of emissions reductions. The CORSIA registry operated by the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO) supports both regulatory and voluntary frameworks.

11. How is life-cycle analysis (LCA) conducted for CORSIA-eligible fuels?

    LCA for CORSIA-eligible fuels is conducted using a specific methodology prescribed by ICAO. The analysis calculates the greenhouse gas emissions reductions on a life-cycle basis, considering all stages of the fuel’s production and use.

12. Can new feedstocks be introduced into the CORSIA system?

    Yes, new feedstocks can be introduced into the CORSIA system if they meet the sustainability criteria and achieve the required emissions reductions. Entities can apply for default values for new feedstocks through a procedure available on the ICAO website.

For more information about EcoEngineers, SAF, LCAF, and Renewable Diesel, contact:

Kristine Klavers, Managing Director of Low-Carbon Petroleum fuels at kklavers@ecoengineers.us.