American Express Global Business
Travel (GBT) and Shell Aviation are to create an alliance that
will allow GBT’s corporate clients to buy sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) for
their business travel needs.
The companies say the collaboration
will allow them to combine the buying power of airlines and GBT’s corporate
business travel customers “to drive a step change in production and usage of
SAFs”.
SAFs can be made from a variety
of feedstocks and using a number of different technology pathways and have the
potential to cut lifecycle emissions from aviation by up to 80 per cent.
GBT chief executive Paul Abbott said: “Our approach
with Shell could provide a turnkey solution for corporations working towards
net-zero emissions. 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.”
Anna Mascolo, president of
Shell Aviation, said: “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. Even if all publicly announced projects today
actually materialise, SAF would still account for just one per cent of the jet
fuel market by 2030. If the aviation sector wants more SAF by 2025,
significant new investments are needed today. This collaboration with GBT aims
to create the environment that supports new investment in SAF production and
new technologies.”