# The Non-CO2 Climate Co-Benefit of SAF and Other Fuels with Low Aromatic and Sulfur Content

**Publisher:** IATA  
**Published:** n/a  
**Category:** Global institutions & policy  
**Type:** Report  
**Access:** Free PDF  
**Official source:** https://www.iata.org/en/publications/economics/reports/the-non-co2-climate-co-benefit-of-saf-and-other-fuels-with-low-aromatic-and-sulfur-content  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/iata-the-non-co2-climate-co-benefit-of-saf-and-other-fuels-with-low-aromatic-and

## At a glance
- Non-CO2 aviation emissions account for approximately half of the industry's total climate impact, though uncertainty ranges are wider than CO2 quantification.
- Contrail-cirrus represents a major climate-warming factor in aviation's non-CO2 footprint, potentially addressable through fuel composition changes.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can reduce soot emissions and mitigate contrail formation, but effectiveness varies under different atmospheric conditions.
- SAF is projected to deliver nearly two-thirds of aviation's sector-wide CO2 abatement according to IATA's Net Zero Roadmap.
- Strategic deployment of SAF on high-impact routes or optimized conventional fuel properties could maximize climate benefits in the near term.

## What the report covers
IATA examines aviation's non-CO2 climate impacts, focusing on how Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and low-naphthalene, low-sulfur jet fuels can reduce soot emissions and mitigate contrail-cirrus effects. The report synthesises current scientific knowledge on non-CO2 emissions mechanisms and addresses remaining uncertainties in modelling ice crystal formation under varying atmospheric conditions. Published in May 2025, it targets industry stakeholders, policymakers and operators seeking to understand feasible decarbonization pathways beyond CO2 reduction.

## Key findings
Non-CO2 emissions from aviation—including NOx and contrails—contribute substantially to total climate warming. According to the report, non-CO2 effects comprise approximately half of the industry's overall climate impact, though quantification carries wider uncertainty ranges than CO2 estimates. These effects operate on shorter timescales (hours to decades) compared to CO2, which persists in the atmosphere for centuries.

Contrail-cirrus formation is identified as a principal non-CO2 climate driver. The report emphasises that soot particles from jet engines act as ice nuclei; reducing soot emissions through fuel composition changes can suppress contrail development and associated warming. However, in low-soot conditions, other emission components may become dominant in ice crystal formation, introducing complexity to mitigation strategies.

SAF deployment emerges as a dual-benefit lever. Beyond CO2 reduction—projected to deliver nearly two-thirds of sector-wide abatement under IATA's Net Zero Roadmap—SAF reduces aromatic and sulfur content, lowering soot emissions and contrail impacts. The report notes that SAF production technologies are well-understood, positioning the fuel as operationally feasible.

Scientific uncertainties constrain predictive confidence. The report identifies gaps in understanding how non-CO2 effects operate across different flight altitudes, atmospheric conditions and soot levels. These uncertainties complicate precise quantification of SAF's climate co-benefits and necessitate further research before claiming definitive mitigation outcomes.

Strategic near-term mitigation requires balancing multiple constraints. The report recommends targeted SAF deployment on high-impact routes or optimized conventional fuel formulations as interim solutions. However, it emphasises that economic trade-offs, safety considerations and infrastructure limitations must be assessed collaboratively across the industry to identify feasible pathways aligned with both environmental and operational realities.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Non-CO2 climate impact proportion | Approximately 50% of aviation's total climate impact | Observed estimate; range of uncertainty wider than CO2 quantification |
| CO2 abatement from SAF (sector-wide projection) | Nearly two-thirds | IATA Net Zero Roadmap forecast; excludes other decarbonization levers |
| Non-CO2 emissions lifespan vs CO2 | Hours to decades vs hundreds of years | Atmospheric persistence comparison; characterizes temporal climate impact |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — Understanding aviation's non-CO2 climate footprint is essential for destination sustainability commitments and stakeholder communication. DMOs marketing climate-conscious travel can reference SAF adoption as measurable progress beyond CO2, though must acknowledge remaining uncertainties. This positions destinations as transparent partners in aviation's decarbonization journey, differentiating offerings to environmentally-aware travellers.

**Hotels & hospitality** — Hospitality operators seeking carbon-neutral credentials benefit from clarity on SAF's climate co-benefits. The report enables credible sustainability narratives linking guest transport choices to contrail reduction, enhancing brand positioning. Operators can advocate for airline SAF adoption on routes serving their properties, translating emissions reductions into guest-facing environmental impact statements.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Distribution platforms can differentiate flight offerings by SAF availability and non-CO2 impact, informing consumer choice transparency. The report's quantified uncertainties provide frameworks for communicating realistic climate claims without overstating benefits. Tech providers can integrate non-CO2 metrics alongside carbon calculators, advancing methodologically sound emissions disclosure across booking channels.

## Methodology and limits
This brief is based on the publicly available executive summary and introduction only, as the full report text was not provided in the source material. IATA's analysis draws on current scientific literature regarding non-CO2 aviation emissions, contrail formation mechanisms, and SAF fuel properties. The report synthesises existing knowledge rather than presenting primary survey or experimental data. Figures cited reflect IATA's projections (Net Zero Roadmap) and scientific consensus estimates, with acknowledged uncertainties particularly around non-CO2 quantification and atmospheric variability.

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© IATA for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://www.iata.org/en/publications/economics/reports/the-non-co2-climate-co-benefit-of-saf-and-other-fuels-with-low-aromatic-and-sulfur-content