KURT H. EDWARDS,
DIRECTOR GENERAL, IBAC

I stand before you today representing the Business Aviation sector, a community deeply committed to advancing sustainability in the aviation industry. Our shared dedication to environmental stewardship is underscored by the Business Aviation Commitment on Climate Change (BACCC), a testament to our firm resolve in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. As we navigate the path towards NetZero by 2050, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has emerged as a pivotal component in our collective journey to decarbonise and foster a greener aviation landscape.

In our pursuit of sustainable aviation practices, business aviation recognises the importance of exploring innovative solutions that not only align with our environmental goals but also uphold the operational excellence and flexibility that define the business aviation sector. This is precisely why the concept of ‘book & claim’ accounting methodologies has gained significant traction within our community. Business aviation can and does fly to many more aerodromes that airlines regularly fly to. As you can imagine, SAF isn’t yet readily available in many of these, often smaller, aerodromes. Until SAF’s supply catches up with clearly increasing demand, Book & Claim methodologies, can allow for the transparent procurement of SAF – while also ensuring that SAF’s environmental credits are available even when SAF isn’t – and have proven instrumental in enabling us to effectively manage our carbon footprint without compromising the operational agility essential to our industry.

Furthermore, as a founding Member of the Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels Accountability (CoSAFA), IBAC continues to support CoSAFA’s pioneering work in developing standardised accounting methodologies for SAF, noting that CoSAFA has already provided us with a robust framework that ensures the accurate tracking and reporting of SAF’s environmental attributesmuch in the same way that the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have enabled trust and confidence in financial markets. Through our work with CoSAFA, we are fostering a transparent marketplace for SAF procurement, bolstering confidence and trust as we collectively work towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

Our industry’s embrace of SAF and the ‘book & claim’ approach, supported by the diligent efforts of CoSAFA, signifies our unwavering commitment to driving positive change within the aviation sector. By adopting these progressive strategies, we not only reduce our environmental impact but also position ourselves as leaders in sustainable aviation practices, setting a precedent for the broader industry to follow suit.

In closing, let me thank our gracious and generous hosts for such a warm welcome, and we applaud all of you for all of your sustainability efforts: it’s by working together, with a shared vision and continued concerted efforts, that we can and we will pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future, ensuring that our skies remain not only efficient and accessible but also environmentally responsible.

Thank you!