The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) has launched a 60-day public consultation on a draft guidance document outlining how book-and-claim systems could be applied within sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) markets.
The proposed guidance establishes a framework for managing sustainability attributes associated with SAF, including requirements for their creation, transfer, allocation, verification, and retirement. The document also addresses the use of digital registries and mass balance accounting systems to maintain traceability and support credible sustainability claims.
According to ISCC, the consultation process is intended to gather feedback from a broad range of stakeholders to ensure the framework remains transparent, practical, and reflective of the complexities of global supply chains.
As airlines, fuel suppliers, and policymakers work toward aviation decarbonization goals, interest in book-and-claim mechanisms has continued to grow. These systems offer a pathway for organizations to support SAF deployment even in locations where physical access to the fuel remains limited.
Under a book-and-claim model, airlines can purchase verified environmental attributes linked to SAF independently from the physical fuel itself. Supporters of the approach argue that it can help accelerate market growth while preserving traceability and preventing double counting of emissions reductions.
ISCC’s draft proposal is designed to provide a consistent and credible structure for the generation, transfer, and retirement of SAF-related sustainability claims. The framework also seeks to align with existing certification requirements and established greenhouse gas accounting standards.
ISCC noted that global SAF production remains limited and is often concentrated in specific geographic regions. Because greenhouse gas emissions affect the global climate regardless of where they occur, the organization emphasized that replacing conventional jet fuel with SAF provides climate benefits regardless of where the fuel is produced or ultimately consumed.
In addition to outlining sustainability claim requirements, the draft guidance defines responsibilities for registry operators and supply chain participants, with provisions covering transparency, auditing procedures, and data integrity safeguards.
The consultation follows a February collaboration between ISCC, OMV, and Airbus focused on advancing sustainable aviation book-and-claim systems while ensuring transparency and credibility within the marketplace.
Recognized as one of the world’s leading sustainability certification systems, ISCC verifies that biofuels and their feedstocks meet rigorous sustainability, traceability, and greenhouse gas reduction criteria.
The public consultation period will remain open until July 18, 2026.