Virgin Australia and The Boeing Company recently released a study by independent consultants Pollination, which provides insight into the policy challenges and potential opportunities of the ‘Book and Claim’ model of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) accounting. The report was published at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The report was launched at an industry event at the UNSW Centre for Decarbonization Innovation.
“The Book and Claim system allows airlines to account for carbon reductions by purchasing their environmental benefits without actually transporting SAFs, thereby reducing logistics costs and avoiding additional emissions. This flexible accounting mechanism is seen as an important tool to drive global aviation decarbonization, especially as SAF capacity is unevenly distributed.
For resource-rich Australia, this mechanism presents significant opportunities. With its abundant biomass and renewable energy resources, Australia could become a key player in the export of SAF production and environmental benefits to regions with limited capacity. At the same time, it can also integrate local and international market demand and promote local economic growth.
However, Australia’s current greenhouse gas accounting system does not yet have a mechanism for recording and recognizing the benefits of emissions reductions from SAFs purchased and used by domestic airlines overseas. The report calls on policymakers to improve the accounting framework for SAF cross-border claims as soon as possible to help Australia play a greater role in global aviation decarbonization.
