Taking flight to a
sustainable future
Aviation
If the aviation sector was a nation, it would be among the top 10 greenhouse gas emitters in the world. Demand for air travel and transport is projected to continue growing at a rapid pace in the coming decades, creating increased urgency for technologies that can quickly reduce emissions from this sector. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is available today as a drop-in replacement for traditional jet fuel and offers significant reductions in carbon intensity, but limited supply and distribution make it difficult for aviation customers to access.
GMA’s team, in partnership with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and RMI, pioneered a series of collective procurements for sustainable aviation fuel on behalf of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA), an initiative that leveraged a book and claim approach in combination with aggregated demand from its members. These efforts allowed climate-conscious air travel and freight purchasers to address their Scope 3 emissions through environmental attribute certificates, known as SAF certificates (SAFc), purchased through bi-lateral contracts with suppliers. The certificate model allows the environmental attributes, principally CO2 reductions, to be separated from the physical fuel, allowing buyers a more flexible pathway to decarbonize their Scope 3 emissions from flight.
Engagement through SABA
Today, SABA continues to accelerate the path to net zero air transport by driving investment into high quality SAF, catalyzing new SAF production and technological innovation, and supporting member engagement in policymaking.
SABA is the most established of the programs within GMA’s work. Its RFPs to date have culminated in historic agreements to purchase SAF certificates, channeling close to $200 million of investment into the SAF market. Today, SABA is helping organizations reduce their aviation emissions through three different procurement tracks:
- On May 6, 2025, SABA launched its third RFP which is focused on advanced, next-generation SAF procurement.
- On May 25, 2025, SABA launched SAFc Connect, a first of its kind platform to connect buyers and sellers of commercially available SAF certificates.
- On September 22, 2025, SABA launched a new initiative: the COP30 SAF platform. It enables COP attendees to calculate and address their aviation-related emissions by supporting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that meets SABA’s world leading sustainability criteria. Learn more here.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Education Resources
SABA maintains an array of education materials, guides and other SAF resources, freely available through the SABA Resources page.
SABA Membership
To become a SABA member or learn more, email info@flysaba.org.
If aviation were a nation, it would be in the top 10 largest emitters
Air transport emissions are expected to double by 2050
On average, SAF purchased through SABA offers above an 80% reduction in carbon intensity
Member benefits
1
Participation in SABA’s aggregated procurements, including rigorous vetting that ensures high-integrity SAF, access to preferential deal terms, and comprehensive contracting support.
2
Policy updates, market insights and other educational materials that can specify how purchasing environmental attributes can support credible emissions reductions and how to account for them in your inventory.
3
Ability to help shape SABA’s sustainability framework, accounting guidance, and SAFc registry updates and have your voice heard by leading standard-setting organizations like GHG Protocol and SBTi.
4
Opportunity to demonstrate your company’s ambitions and actions at the forefront of aviation decarbonization by being featured in SABA press materials, external panels, and through connecting with fellow members and influential stakeholders at virtual and in-person SABA member events.
Our Partners in Sustainable Aviation
Testimonials
Claire Kiely
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