The new SAF Sustainability Certificate (CS-SAF) emerges as an essential tool to drive sustainable aviation in Brazil, enabling decarbonization targets and new markets.
Starting next year, the domestic airline sector will face strict requirements to reduce its carbon footprint. The energy transition in aviation heavily depends on the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), an input currently facing barriers such as limited supply and high prices in both global and local markets.
In this scenario of transformation, the CS-SAF acts as an indispensable regulatory and economic instrument. The document will serve as official proof that companies in the sector have met the mandatory pollutant mitigation targets established by Brazilian legislation.
The ProBioQAV rules and the emissions reduction schedule
The legal framework governing this change is anchored in the recently sanctioned Fuel of the Future Law and the National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Program (ProBioQAV). The official schedule requires companies to cut pollutant gases by 1% starting in 2027, gradually increasing the rate to reach a 10% reduction by 2037.
To make these targets viable, SAF can be synthesized from various renewable inputs, such as agricultural residues, vegetable oils, ethanol, and organic waste. Currently, Petrobras stands out as the only company in the country with large-scale commercial production, utilizing the coprocessing technological route at its refineries.
Each batch of commercialized biofuel will come with a CS-SAF detailing its environmental footprint. Issuance will be handled by producers and distributors validated by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), while the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) will oversee the ‘retirement’ of the certificate after target compliance is proven.
The potential of the book and claim system
One of the major differentiators of the system is the application of the book and claim concept. This dynamic separates the green attribute from the physical product, allowing credits to be traded without the need to transport the renewable fuel to unsupplied airports.
Regarding the operational advantages of the model, the regulatory sector points out:
The mechanism allows the environmental attribute to be traded separately, resolving logistical bottlenecks and preventing the double counting of ecological benefits.
To gain international liquidity and attract foreign investment, the CS-SAF will need to be aligned with global standards, such as those of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). However, experts point out that the model still requires regulatory adjustments, especially regarding the passing on of costs to corporate clients and clear guidelines for credit exports.
The consolidation of this green market promises to transform Brazil into an exporting hub for decarbonization credits. The success of the endeavor, however, will depend on the agility of regulatory agencies in unlocking the logistical and financial hurdles that still surround the energy transition in the skies.
