New Global Body to Oversee Sustainable Aviation Fuel Registry: IATA Launches CADO to Drive Aviation Decarbonization

The formation of CADO marks a significant milestone in IATA’s sustainability agenda and signals a shift toward an inclusive, collaborative approach to managing SAF infrastructure.

In a major step toward accelerating the decarbonization of the aviation industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the establishment of the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO). This new independent body will take on the critical role of managing the IATA-developed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry—a landmark initiative designed to create transparency, trust, and momentum in the global sustainable aviation fuel market.

A Strategic Shift Toward Aviation Sustainability

The formation of CADO marks a significant milestone in IATA’s sustainability agenda and signals a shift toward an inclusive, collaborative approach to managing SAF infrastructure. As the aviation industry aims to meet its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050, the SAF Registry is expected to be a cornerstone in enabling the reliable tracking and validation of SAF use across the value chain.

According to IATA, CADO will operate as an independent entity, separate from the association’s core operations. This independence is essential to ensure transparency, broad stakeholder trust, and alignment with international decarbonization standards.

“CADO will turbo-charge the imminent launch of the IATA-developed SAF Registry,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economist. “Its mandate is to manage the SAF Registry with an open and global approach that supports the scrutiny needed to build trust among all stakeholders.”

Thomsen emphasized the organization’s openness to global participation, noting that all SAF value chain stakeholders—including fuel producers, airlines, regulatory bodies, and governments—are invited to join CADO. The aim is not just to manage a registry but to foster global harmonization of SAF standards and certification protocols.

Building a Transparent SAF Market

The SAF Registry itself will function as a digital, centralized platform for tracking the production, distribution, and use of sustainable aviation fuels worldwide. It will ensure that SAF credits are properly assigned, prevent double counting, and give buyers—such as airlines and corporate customers—verified proof of SAF usage.

“The SAF Registry is a critical piece of market infrastructure that is indispensable in building a global, transparent, and liquid market for SAF,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “The industry’s commitment to build the Registry and establish CADO to manage it should inspire governments, fossil fuel producers, and investors to engage in the SAF market with commensurate vigor.”

Walsh stressed that ramping up SAF production is a shared responsibility and that the creation of CADO provides a practical and credible framework for aligning global efforts.

A Call for Global Participation

One of the key strengths of CADO lies in its inclusive governance model. It invites participation from a diverse set of stakeholders—including energy producers, airlines, cargo operators, airport authorities, environmental organizations, and government agencies. This diversity is intended to foster trust, ensure accountability, and create alignment across regions and regulatory jurisdictions.

By establishing a unified registry platform, CADO also aims to overcome fragmentation in the SAF certification landscape. Currently, different countries and regions have adopted varying criteria for SAF eligibility and emissions reductions, which complicates the process of scaling up SAF production and adoption. With CADO’s leadership, the hope is to create common principles and verification frameworks that benefit all parties.

Paving the Path to Net-Zero Emissions

SAF is widely considered the most promising short-to-medium-term solution for reducing aviation emissions. It can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, depending on the feedstock and production method used. However, global SAF production currently meets only a fraction of aviation’s fuel demand.

CADO’s creation is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing this supply gap. By increasing market transparency and boosting investor confidence, the registry can help unlock new funding for SAF production facilities and drive demand from airlines seeking to decarbonize their operations.

Next Steps

The SAF Registry is set to launch in the near future, with CADO assuming operational oversight immediately thereafter. In the lead-up, IATA and its partners are working to finalize the registry’s technical framework, validation protocols, and participation guidelines. Early adopters of the SAF Registry will include a range of international carriers and fuel suppliers committed to accelerating aviation’s transition to net-zero.

CADO is poised to serve as a key enabler in the aviation industry’s climate strategy, bringing much-needed structure, transparency, and momentum to sustainable fuel adoption.