The United States is preparing to reject a recommendation from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that would favor Brazilian multicropped corn ethanol by giving it a lower carbon intensity score, a move Washington claims would unfairly advantage Brazilian farmers over U.S. ethanol producers.

Although sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) currently makes up less than 1% of global aviation fuel use, demand is projected to soar as airlines seek to replace kerosene with agricultural-based biofuels-from corn to municipal waste-to meet international carbon neutrality targets.

U.S. ethanol producers are advocating for carbon capture at Midwest corn and ethanol facilities, highlighting the growing linkage between American agriculture and aviation decarbonization efforts.

The dispute underscores a global dilemma: should SAF certification reward multicropping systems, common in Brazil, for potential environmental benefits, or prioritize carbon capture technology used by U.S. producers, even if they rely on monoculture?

ICAO's council is expected to review the draft framework before its fall assembly. Airlines worldwide are watching closely-they require scalable, sustainable fuel sources that connect farm production to jet engines in a "farm to flight" transition, essential for meeting 2050 net-zero emission goals.

This confrontation reveals how farm-grown crops are becoming critical feedstocks for aviation biofuels. Corn-based and crop-derived SAF represents a strategic bridge between U.S. farmland and global airline fuel tanks, promoting sustainable agriculture, soil health, and new value-added markets for American producers.

• Fall Review Pending: ICAO will decide whether to favor Brazil's multicropping model or allow U.S. carbon-capture corn ethanol into SAF markets.

• Ag-Aviation Sector on Alert: Co-ops, farmers, and land-grant universities will monitor the impact on commodity prices, crop insurance, and certification frameworks.

• Beyond Kerosene: A global debate is intensifying over which SAF feedstock-agricultural crops or industrial capture-will lead the transition to net-zero aviation.