American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) and Shell Aviation will collaborate on an alliance aimed at making more sustainable aviation fuel available.
They will design a model to help increase the supply and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and accelerate the aviation industry’s drive towards net zero emissions (NZE).
The alliance combines the buying power of airlines and GBT’s corporate business travel customers to help make progress towards long-term emissions targets.
Paul Abbott, GBT chief executive, said: “Our approach with Shell could provide a turnkey solution for corporations working towards net zero emissions.
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“We believe aggregating corporate and airline demand is the most efficient way to drive the volume of investment needed to bring change at scale.
“By working with Shell, we aim to enable corporations and airlines to plot a course towards their own emissions targets, while acting as climate leaders and creating real change.”
Compared with conventional jet fuel derived from fossil fuels, SAF has the potential to cut lifecycle emissions from aviation by up to 80%.
However, it currently represents less than 0.1% of aviation fuel used and is produced, said GBT.
Anna Mascolo, president of Shell Aviation, added: “We want to help decarbonise the aviation sector and believe this collaboration could deliver new solutions for our customers to reach net zero emissions. SAF has incredible potential to drive the decarbonisation of aviation.
“If the aviation sector wants more SAF by 2025, significant new investments are needed today.”
Shell and GBT have their own targets to become net zero emissions businesses by 2050.
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