Zemo Partnership Launches UK Scheme for SAF Traceability Verification

A new voluntary assurance program, the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS) Aviation, has been launched in the United Kingdom to provide independent verification of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) traceability. The initiative, led by the Zemo Partnership, is designed to give airlines, suppliers, and regulators confidence in the sustainability claims associated with SAF and to support compliance with national environmental regulations.

The RFAS Aviation scheme provides a standardized framework for auditing the entire SAF supply chain, from production to the point of delivery at UK airports. This robust traceability is critical for airlines seeking to claim emissions reductions under the UK's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). By using SAF verified under the scheme, carriers can reduce their obligation to surrender carbon allowances, creating a direct financial incentive for decarbonization. The first fuel supplier to receive approval under the new program is Valero Energy.

Gloria Esposito, Director of Sustainable Business at Zemo Partnership, stated that the scheme provides the independent verification necessary to build trust in the nascent SAF market. She highlighted that close collaboration with the UK's Environment Agency ensures that the SAF Declarations generated by the scheme align with the requirements of the UK ETS, supporting credible and auditable emission reduction claims.

Regulatory and Industry Impact

The launch of RFAS Aviation is directly tied to the implementation of the UK SAF Mandate, which came into force on January 1, 2025. According to the UK Department for Transport, this regulation legally obligates fuel suppliers to ensure that 2% of all jet fuel supplied in the UK is SAF in 2025. The mandate's targets are set to increase significantly, rising to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040. The government projects these measures will deliver Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reductions of up to 2.7 MtCO2e in 2030.

This new verification framework has distinct impacts on key industry stakeholders:

• Airline Operators: Carriers gain access to a standardized and auditable SAF Declaration. This documentation is essential for claiming Emissions Reduction Claims (ERCs) under the UK ETS, which helps to lower their overall carbon compliance costs.
• SAF Suppliers: Companies like Valero Energy must undergo independent audits to gain RFAS Aviation approval. While this adds a layer of scrutiny, it also provides a competitive advantage by offering a certified, high-integrity product to airline customers who require it for regulatory reporting.
• Regulators: The UK ETS Authority and the Environment Agency benefit from receiving standardized, verified data. This simplifies the process of auditing airline emissions claims and reduces the administrative burden associated with ensuring compliance.

Context and Precedents

The development of a dedicated aviation scheme follows the success of the original RFAS for road transport fuels. That program has already approved 58 companies across the UK and Europe, establishing a proven audit framework that is now being extended to the aviation sector. This reflects a broader industry trend toward the standardization of SAF traceability to prevent issues like double-counting and to ensure credible Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting.

The UK's approach mirrors similar regulatory efforts elsewhere, most notably the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation mandate, which also began on January 1, 2025. Both frameworks are creating a growing need for harmonized and independent verification of SAF supplies across different jurisdictions.

The financial and regulatory integration of SAF is also evolving. A UK Government consultation launched in March 2026 is currently exploring how to better align SAF's treatment under the UK ETS, signaling a move to further bridge the significant cost premium that currently exists between SAF and conventional jet fuel.

What Comes Next

Following the launch of the RFAS Aviation scheme, several related policy and regulatory milestones are anticipated. The UK ETS Authority is expected to publish its response to the SAF consultation in late 2026, which will provide further clarity on how emissions reductions from SAF will be accounted for within the carbon market.

In the same timeframe, the UK Government is expected to introduce a SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM). This policy is designed to de-risk investment in UK-based SAF production facilities by providing more predictable revenue streams for producers, a critical step in scaling up domestic supply to meet the 2030 and 2040 mandate targets.

Looking further ahead, the industry will be focused on meeting the confirmed UK SAF Mandate target of 10% SAF blending by 2030, a goal that will require a substantial increase in production and verified supply.

Why This Matters

RFAS Aviation represents a critical piece of market infrastructure for UK aviation's decarbonization efforts. It provides a trusted and transparent mechanism that connects regulatory mandates with market-based carbon pricing, enabling airlines to monetize the environmental benefits of using SAF. For the broader industry, the scheme establishes a scalable framework for ensuring the integrity of the green fuel supply chain as demand grows in the coming decade.