Renewable Fuel CI Scores

California LCFS and CORSIA carbon intensity benchmarks for SAF, renewable diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, and hydrogen pathways.

Renewable CI Scores

Renewable Fuel Pathways — Carbon Intensity (CI) Score Reference · Rev 1 — 2026-04-16 | Per CARB LCFS, EPA RFS, CORSIA/ICAO, RED III

Fuel Pathway	Feedstock	CARB LCFS CI (gCO2e/MJ)	CORSIA CI (gCO2e/MJ)	EPA RFS Category	RED III GHG Saving (%)	TRL	Notes
HEFA-SPK (HVO)	Used Cooking Oil (UCO)	17.5	13.9	D4 Biomass-Based Diesel	88	9	Most mature SAF pathway. ASTM D7566 Annex A2. Up to 50% blend
HEFA-SPK (HVO)	Tallow (Cat 1/2)	22	22.5	D4 Biomass-Based Diesel	83	9	Animal fat feedstock; CI varies by category & region
HEFA-SPK (HVO)	Soybean Oil	40.5	40.4	D4 Biomass-Based Diesel	60	9	Higher CI due to ag inputs; iLUC debated
HEFA-SPK (HVO)	Palm Oil	60	37.6	Not RFS-eligible	45	9	LCFS may not certify palm; deforestation risk. RED III excludes palm
FT-SPK	Municipal Solid Waste	8.5	5.2	D7 Cellulosic Diesel	95	7	Gasification + FT. ASTM D7566 Annex A1. Very low CI. Landfill diversion credit
FT-SPK	Forestry Residues	12	8.3	D7 Cellulosic Diesel	90	7	Avoids land-use change issues. Supply chain logistics challenging
ATJ-SPK	Corn Ethanol	55	65.7	D6 Renewable Fuel	45	7	ASTM D7566 Annex A5. Up to 50% blend. Food-vs-fuel debate
ATJ-SPK	Cellulosic Ethanol	18	24.1	D3 Cellulosic Biofuel	85	6	Ag residues (corn stover, sugarcane bagasse). Supply limited
e-Fuel (PtL)	Green H2 + DAC CO2	3	0.5	D3 Cellulosic (pending)	97	5	Power-to-Liquid via Fischer-Tropsch or MeOH. Requires 100% renewable electricity
e-Fuel (PtL)	Green H2 + Point Source CO2	25	28.2	Pending determination	70	5	Lower CAPEX than DAC but biogenic CO2 source matters for CI accounting
e-Methanol	Green H2 + CO2	10	12	Pending	90	6	Marine fuel focus. IMO 2050 target. MeOH-to-Jet via ZSM-5 catalyst emerging
e-Ammonia (Green)	Green H2 + Haber-Bosch	8	10	Not applicable	92	6	Marine/power. Zero-carbon combustion but NOx concerns. DNV Alternative Fuels
Biodiesel (FAME)	Soybean Oil	45	N/A	D4 Biomass-Based Diesel	55	9	Not jet-compatible. Road transport only. ASTM D6751
Renewable Diesel (HVO)	UCO	18	N/A	D4 Biomass-Based Diesel	87	9	Drop-in diesel replacement. EN 15940. Same HEFA process, different cut
Cellulosic Ethanol	Corn Stover	20	N/A	D3 Cellulosic Biofuel	80	8	POET-DSM Liberty (closed). Enzymatic hydrolysis + fermentation
Renewable Natural Gas	Dairy Manure	-250	N/A	D3 Cellulosic Biofuel	200	9	Negative CI due to methane avoidance credit. Pipeline-quality biomethane
Baseline Comparisons
Conventional Jet-A1		89	89	Petroleum	0	—	CORSIA baseline value. CARB uses 94.71 gCO2e/MJ for ULSD
Conventional Diesel (ULSD)		94.71	N/A	Petroleum	0	—	CARB LCFS 2024 lookup table value
US Grid Electricity (avg)		82.92	N/A	—	—	—	CARB LCFS EER-adjusted. Varies by region (CAMX=61.7)
REFERENCES
CARB LCFS Certified Fuel Pathway Reports & Lookup Tables (2024-2025)
ICAO CORSIA Default Life Cycle Emissions Values — CORSIA SARPs Annex 16 Vol IV, App 1
US EPA RFS Pathway Definitions — 40 CFR Part 80 Subpart M
EU RED III (Directive 2023/2413) — Annex V & VI GHG Calculation Methodology
ASTM D7566 — Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons
GREET Model (Argonne National Laboratory) — Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies

Source: Renewable_Fuel_CI_Score_Reference_v1.xlsx

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