ISCC, Neste and DHL pilot credit system for SAF emission reductions

Neste, ISCC and DHL Group piloted the ISCC Credit Transfer System enabling credible reporting of emission reductions from sustainable aviation fuel use. The traceability framework, now open for public consultation, addresses double-counting risks relevant to Indian logistics and aviation firms pursuing Scope 3 targets.

Neste, ISCC and DHL Group piloted the ISCC Credit Transfer System, developed by ISCC to enable airlines, logistics providers and end users to credibly document emission reductions from sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The system aligns with the Science Based Targets initiative's aviation guidance for SAF use in addressing Scope 3 emissions. In the pilot, Neste used an ISCC EU-certified SAF delivery to DHL Group's airline EAT, registering environmental attributes as credits, with Scope 1 and Scope 3 credits tracked and retired to prevent reuse.

Airlines, logistics providers and corporate end-users are directly affected, gaining a mechanism to credibly claim emission reductions and avoid double-counting of SAF volumes. For DHL Group, SAF is central to its 2030 SBTi-approved decarbonization goal and 2050 net-zero target, with 30% SAF use targeted by 2030. The system ensures complete traceability of SAF transactions through ISCC's registry rules, reducing the risk of incorrect sustainability claims while allowing companies to verify savings in their customers' value-chain Scope 3 emissions.

Indian logistics companies, airlines and corporates with aviation-related Scope 3 emissions should monitor the ISCC Credit Transfer System, now ready for public consultation and available to all companies. Firms pursuing SBTi-aligned decarbonization can assess how the credit system enables credible SAF emission-reduction claims without double-counting. As global demand for SAF rises beyond regulatory requirements, Indian stakeholders can track how such traceability mechanisms support transparent reporting and stimulate expansion of SAF production.

Key figure — DHL SAF target: 30% SAF use by 2030 (toward 2050 net-zero)