How SABA's New Platform Improves SAF Procurement
The Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) has launched SAFc Connect, a secure online platform that makes it easier for procurement teams to purchase sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc), thereby contributing to reduced aviation emissions.
The tool is designed to help match buyers and sellers more efficiently and improve access to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
SAFc Connect is designed to make the SAF buying process quicker and more flexible for procurement professionals and their organisations.
It allows companies to invest in available SAF while offering suppliers access to active corporate demand.
SABA says its members currently have a combined demand of about US$30m for SAF certificates through the platform. That need is predicted to rise as more companies join SABA and increase investments in order to meet their respective 2030 climate targets.
“To meet the decarbonisation goals for the aviation sector, we need to encourage both near and long-term investment into SAF,” says Kim Carnahan, CEO of the Center for Green Market Activation and Head of SABA Secretariat.
“With SAFc Connect, participants have a continuous SAF procurement opportunity that progresses climate goals now, while strengthening the foundations of the SAF market for future growth.”
Six SAFc providers have already joined the platform: Alaska Air, Future Energy Global, International Airlines Group (which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, and Vueling), JetBlue, Targray and Valero.
SABA predicts that more providers will sign up in the coming months.
Connecting procurement teams and sellers seamlessly
SABA began in 2021 with the aim of aggregating buyer demand to help fund SAF.
It started with a small proof-of-concept pilot procurement, moving to a longer-term agreement in 2023–2024 that supported tens of millions of gallons of SAF.
In early May 2025, the group issued a third request for proposals for next-generation fuels – this plan is meant to support 5- to 10-year supply deals large enough to help fund new production sites.
SAFc Connect is the next step in SABA’s effort to connect procurement teams and suppliers.
Through the platform, buyers can view current SAF certificate offers, all checked by SABA.
Each offer includes data such as emissions performance, certification standard, price, feedstock, fuel type and contract terms.
Only authorised buyers can view this data, and all information is kept confidential. Buyers can then contact providers directly to discuss purchase agreements.
Suppliers benefit by gaining access to a group of buyers and their respective organisations already committed to reducing their aviation emissions. The platform will update regularly with new offers and more participants. Its design is intended to support more SAF production and make longer-term pricing more stable.
Extending SAF procurement
SAFc Connect uses SABA’s “book and claim” method. This means the environmental benefit of SAF is tracked separately from the actual fuel.
Companies can buy certificates and claim the emissions reduction for their own reporting, even though the SAF itself is used by an airline elsewhere. This approach allows corporate travellers to support SAF use without needing to match it to their own flights.
All SAF sold through the platform must meet SABA’s sustainability standards. Only SABA member companies can use SAFc Connect to buy certificates.
SABA is a joint initiative between RMI and the Environmental Defense Fund, with input from the Center for Green Market Activation. It helps companies, airlines and freight customers invest in cleaner fuel options and work towards net-zero aviation goals.
Membership within the organisation comprises more than 35 companies from a variety of sectors – including finance, technology, media and entertainment, business consulting and others seeking to reduce their aviation emissions through investment in sustainable aviation fuel.
Explore the latest edition of Procurement Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Procurement Magazine is a BizClik brand