The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the creation of the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO), an independent entity tasked with overseeing the IATA-developed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry upon its launch.
“CADO will play a pivotal role in accelerating the launch of the SAF Registry, managing it as a separate entity from IATA. Its mandate is to provide an open, global, and transparent framework that fosters the trust and scrutiny necessary to gain the confidence of all stakeholders. Importantly, CADO is open to participation from any entity within the SAF value chain, including governments. This inclusive approach will also promote harmonizing principles for SAF registries worldwide,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economist.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, emphasized the significance of the SAF Registry: “The SAF Registry is a cornerstone of market infrastructure, essential for establishing a transparent, liquid, and global market for SAF. The aviation industry’s commitment to creating this registry and forming CADO should encourage governments, fossil fuel producers, and investors to engage vigorously in the SAF market. Increasing SAF production is the shared objective, and the structure we’re implementing through CADO represents a vital step in advancing the decarbonization of aviation.”
CADO is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in Canada, with its headquarters located in Montreal. IATA is the founding member of CADO and will continue to provide ongoing technical support and operational assistance. Membership in CADO is open to:
Organizations involved directly in the SAF value chain or that represent associations and groups within the SAF industry.
Governments and quasi-state entities with a vested interest in the operation and benefits of the SAF Registry.
The SAF Registry is a global, transparent system under development by IATA that will track SAF transactions in a standardized manner. The registry will ensure that the environmental benefits of SAF are traceable throughout the SAF value chain and enable airlines and corporate customers to claim these benefits against regulatory obligations and voluntary programs.
The SAF Registry will also address the challenge of limited SAF supply, which is currently scarce and produced in only a few locations globally. By connecting airlines with SAF producers and suppliers, regardless of geographic location, the registry will facilitate a more efficient and global distribution of SAF. Additionally, it will provide airlines and corporate customers with access to in-sector emissions reductions and enable firms to co-finance decarbonization efforts.
Participation in the SAF Registry will be free of charge until April 2027, after which it will transition to a cost-recovery model.
