Repsol Receives Green Light for SAF Trade with Book and Claim System

Repsol has achieved a significant milestone with the certification granted by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), providing the company with the opportunity to market its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) within the RSB Book & Claim System. This certification empowers the multi-energy corporation to distribute SAF at designated airports and enroll it in the RSB registry. Consequently, customers at airports worldwide can claim the certified emission reductions associated with the registered SAF when procuring their traditional jet fuel.

The implementation of the book and claim mechanism addresses the existing supply-and-demand challenges encountered within the SAF market, thereby facilitating the aviation sector's efforts to accelerate its decarbonization process. Presently, SAF is only accessible at a limited number of geographic locations globally, and the transportation of SAF to other airport locations can incur substantial costs and generate unnecessary CO2 emissions during the refueling process. RSB's Book & Claim System serves as a solution to overcome these obstacles and facilitate the growth of SAF usage. By enabling airlines and their clients to claim SAF carbon reductions without the necessity of physical access to sustainable fuel supplies, this mechanism streamlines the procurement process. Moreover, the chain of custody model developed by RSB ensures complete traceability and credibility, while also demonstrating a tangible climate impact by preventing instances of double counting in the process. The carbon reductions linked with the SAF will be registered as a 'book and claim unit' and can be transferred to any interested buyer globally. However, it's important to note that the physical fuel delivered at the nearest airport will not carry any specific sustainability criteria. The book and claim system is presently focused on voluntary markets, thereby contributing to carbon emission reductions that complement existing mandates and regulations.

The carbon reductions associated with the SAF will be meticulously recorded as 'book and claim units' and are transferable to any interested buyer across the globe. However, it's important to note that the physical fuel dispensed at the nearest airport will not carry any specific sustainability criteria. Presently, the book and claim approach primarily targets voluntary markets, thereby contributing to carbon emission reductions that surpass regulatory mandates and obligations.

RSB's leadership in the book and claim domain stems from the organization's multi-stakeholder governance and non-profit status. RSB's approach has been developed through a uniquely credible and robust consensus-based decision-making process, which balances the input of industry, civil society, and academia. This approach has resulted in a trusted solution to help scale decarbonization efforts. Repsol's certification has been achieved through SGS, accredited by RSB to conduct independent audits, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of sustainability and credibility.