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American Express Global Business Travel - logoIn an astonishing announcement, Google, the tech juggernaut, has solidified its commitment to a cleaner, greener future. By joining hands with American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) and Shell Aviation, Google has embarked on a groundbreaking journey to promote the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Historically, the aviation sector has been one of the major culprits behind carbon emissions, primarily relying on fossil fuels. Recent statistics highlight that air travel alone is responsible for a staggering 90% of emissions from business travel. Yet, the rise of SAF paints a promising future. Notably, when used in its pure form, SAF can slash lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%, making it a cornerstone for decarbonising aviation.

Although SAF’s potential is enormous, its market penetration remains minuscule. Currently, SAF constitutes a mere 0.1% of the total aviation fuel available, carrying a price tag up to eight times heftier than its conventional counterparts. The joint initiative by Amex GBT, Shell Aviation, and now Google aims to tackle this disparity.

Speaking on the partnership, Michael Terrell, Google’s Senior Director of Climate and Energy, remarked, “The path to decarbonization heavily relies on SAF. With Google’s alliance with Amex GBT’s sustainable aviation fuel initiative, we’re inching closer to a carbon-neutral horizon.”

The program, initiated in 2022, garnered attention by making one million gallons of SAF accessible to corporate clientele. To put this into perspective, this volume can fuel nearly 15,000 business ventures between London and New York. Andrew Crawley, President of Amex GBT, states, “Business trips form about 15% of global air travel, and they generate nearly 40% of the industry’s revenue. Google’s participation in our SAF program is a testament to the power of corporate synergy in revolutionizing the industry.”

Apart from Google, giants like Aon, Bank of America, Delta, Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, and Japan Airlines have also jumped onto this sustainable bandwagon. The initiative aims to democratize the SAF market by uniting such corporate giants, potentially driving down its costs. This corporate collective can pool resources, stimulating capital investments and skyrocketing the SAF industry.

The initiative’s trump card is in collaboration with Avelia. Recognized as one of the pioneers of blockchain-powered digital SAF book-and-claim solutions, Avelia ensures impeccable transparency in tracking the environmental metrics of SAF. This platform allows airline companies and business entities to document their carbon footprint reductions, keeping discrepancies like double counting at bay.

Jan Toschka, President of Shell Aviation, added, “The collaboration with Google, given its global stature, is a milestone in our quest to decarbonize aviation. The SAF initiative’s success hinges on collective action, and with Google by our side, the future looks brighter.”

To fathom the full potential of Avelia’s blockchain solution and its role in this transformative journey, enthusiasts and environmental advocates can explore further at aveliasolutions.com.

 

 

 

Written by: Jill Walsh

 

 

 

 

 

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