This initiative brings together major corporations including Aon, Bank of America, Delta, Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, and Japan Airlines, with Google now joining their ranks.
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), a leading B2B travel platform, has joined forces with Shell Aviation to announce an exciting development in their sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program – the inclusion of Google. This collaboration aligns with Google’s ambitious goal to achieve net zero emissions across its operations and value chain by 2030, underscoring its commitment to global climate solutions.
The Amex GBT and Shell Aviation SAF program is a testament to the power of private sector collaboration driving systemic change. This initiative brings together major corporations including Aon, Bank of America, Delta, Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, and Japan Airlines, with Google now joining their ranks. Launched in 2022, the program aims to catalyze aviation’s shift towards net zero emissions by aggregating demand for SAF. This demand-driven approach has the potential to scale up the emerging SAF market.
Michael Terrell, Senior Director of Climate and Energy, Google said “The use of SAF will play a critical role in helping the aviation sector on its path to decarbonize. Joining Amex GBT’s sustainable aviation fuel program further represents Google’s continued efforts to accelerate the global transition to a carbon-free future. “
Aviation is responsible for approximately 90% of emissions associated with business travel, making the transition to sustainable practices imperative. SAF, when used in place of traditional fossil-based fuels, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%. Despite its potential, SAF currently represents less than 0.1% of available aviation fuel due to cost constraints.
Amex GBT and Shell Aviation aim to address these challenges by leveraging their networks and resources. By utilizing the purchasing power of Amex GBT’s extensive corporate clientele and Shell Aviation’s airline customers, the cost of SAF can be co-funded. This joint effort will help scale SAF production, making it more accessible and financially viable.
Andrew Crawley, President of American Express Global Business Travel said, “Business travel is a crucial passenger segment for aviation, accounting for around 15% of air travel globally and generating around 40% of revenues. To have Google join our growing SAF program demonstrates how corporate collaboration can accelerate aviation’s transition to net zero and enable more sustainable travel.”
The program’s implementation is facilitated by Avelia, a pioneering blockchain-powered digital SAF book-and-claim solution. Avelia ensures transparent tracking of the environmental attributes of SAF, allowing both airlines and business customers to report verified lifecycle emissions reductions. This innovative approach propels the aviation industry towards a more sustainable future, with Google’s inclusion serving as a significant step towards achieving collective net zero goals.
Jan Toschka, President of Shell Aviation said, “It’s great that through the Avelia program Shell Aviation will supply SAF to support Google in cutting emissions from its corporate flying. Considering Google’s stature and prominence, this announcement represents an important milestone for decarbonizing aviation. As scaling the uptake of SAF will only be possible if all parts of the aviation value chain work together, we’re thrilled to work with such an influential and forward-thinking company.
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American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) is a world-leading B2B travel platform that offers comprehensive solutions for corporate travel needs. Amex GBT’s collaboration with Shell Aviation to drive the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel underscores its commitment to environmentally conscious business practices.
