SAF Certificates: Why Building Trust is as Important as Building Supply

SAF certificates offer a powerful way to decarbonize aviation—without the need for physical fuel delivery. But to unlock their full potential, producers must build not just supply, but trust through transparency, standardization, and buyer support.

By Ashwin Jadhav

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The demand for decarbonized flight is growing fast—and as a producer of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Twelve is experiencing this shift firsthand. Airlines, corporate travel programs, freight shippers, and even financial institutions are seeking credible, scalable ways to reduce their aviation emissions.

Yet despite this enthusiasm, one thing is clear: there are still significant barriers to purchasing SAF, even when physical delivery isn’t required.

Enter the SAF certificate—also known as "book-and-claim." These certificates allow organizations to invest in verified SAF production, claim the associated emissions reductions, and accelerate aviation’s transition to net zero without relying on the physical logistics of fuel delivery.

But while SAF certificates are a practical bridge solution, buying them isn’t always straightforward. As producers, we’re in the middle of these conversations every day—and we understand the friction buyers are feeling. Here’s what’s holding back this market—and how we, as producers, can help clear the runway.

1. Standardization is Still Catching Up

One of the biggest pain points buyers face is the lack of harmonized standards across SAF certificate programs. The market is fragmented—different players use different methodologies for carbon accounting, sustainability criteria, and certificate issuance.

We often get questions like:

• "How is your SAF verified?"

• "Will my sustainability report accept this reduction?"

• "Is there risk of double counting?"

  
  

These are fair concerns. As producers, we’re working closely with certification bodies (like RSB and ISCC), book-and-claim platforms, and emerging consortia like Clean Skies for Tomorrow to help shape consistent and trusted standards. But there’s still work to do.

2. Transparency and Trust Are Mission-Critical

Buyers want to know exactly what they’re paying for. That means full visibility into:

• The feedstocks used

• The production pathway

• The location and timing of SAF production

• The carbon intensity and lifecycle emissions calculations

  
  

We’re committed to providing this transparency—because trust is everything in a market built on environmental claims. We also support independent, third-party verification of every certificate issued.

Still, the level of transparency varies across the market. It’s our responsibility to set a high bar.

3. SAF is Scarce—And That’s the Point

There is not enough SAF on the market today. Global SAF production in 2024 was less than 1% of total jet fuel consumption. And producing SAF isn’t cheap—it requires certified feedstocks, advanced biorefineries, and regulatory compliance.

So yes, SAF certificates carry a premium. But every purchase helps us scale production, invest in infrastructure, and bring costs down over time.

When buyers choose to support SAF—even via certificates—they’re not just offsetting emissions. They’re directly investing in the transition to clean aviation.

4. Emissions Reporting Needs to Catch Up

We hear it all the time: “Can I count this toward my Scope 3 targets?” or “Will this be accepted under the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)?”

The answer is “yes”. The emissions accounting frameworks are continuously being aligned with global compliance requirements such as SBTi. Buyers now have clearer guidance on how to incorporate SAF certificates into ESG reporting without risking accusations of greenwashing.

We advocate for consistent, science-based rules that:

• Recognize book-and-claim SAF in Scope 3 travel emissions

• Differentiate SAF from traditional carbon offsets

• Encourage corporate climate action that drives real decarbonization

  
  

Until then, we help buyers navigate these questions—and provide them with the resources needed to navigate through SAF claims.

5. The Buying Process Still Feels Complex

We get it—purchasing SAF certificates is not yet a plug-and-play process.

Whether you're an airline buying at scale or a company purchasing SAF to decarbonize business travel, the procurement experience still involves:

• Contract negotiations

• Verification documentation

• Coordination across sustainability, procurement, and legal teams

  
  

That’s why we’re working to make the process smoother. We’re building partnerships with certificate platforms, travel providers, and ESG consultants to reduce complexity for the buyer—because frictionless access means faster adoption.

Why We’re Optimistic

Despite these challenges, we’re seeing real momentum. More corporate buyers, such as Microsoft, Shopify and BCG, are stepping up. More standards are emerging. And most importantly, every SAF certificate purchased helps send a signal to the market: there is demand for clean aviation fuel.

The SAF certificate market is not a perfect solution—but it is a powerful one. As producers, we’re not just here to sell fuel. We’re here to co-create a system that buyers can trust—one that brings real transparency, real climate impact, and real momentum toward net zero flight.

We’re building more than fuel.We’re building confidence in a decarbonized future.

Made from air, not oil.