Google Takes Flight With Sustainable Aviation Fuel Program

In a significant move towards a sustainable future, Alphabet Inc.'s GOOG GOOGL Google has teamed up with American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) and Shell Aviation to be a part of one of the world's largest sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) programs.

SAF is made from renewable biomass and waste resources which have the potential to deliver the performance of petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its carbon footprint.

This collaboration aligns with Google's ambitious target to achieve net zero across its entire operations and value chain by 2030, marking a significant stride towards global climate solutions.

Michael Terrell Sr., director of Climate and Energy at Google, emphasized the importance of SAF in the aviation sector's journey to decarbonization.

"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," Terrell said.

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Private Sector Paving the Way: The SAF program by Amex GBT and Shell Aviation showcases the potential of the private sector in instigating systemic change. By uniting major corporations such as Google, Aon, Bank of America, Delta, Cathay Pacific, JetBlue and Japan Airlines, the program aims to establish a clear demand for SAF, a crucial step in scaling the budding SAF market.

Launched in 2022, the program made available 1 million gallons of SAF for corporate clients, sufficient to fuel nearly 15,000 business flights between London and New York.

Andrew Crawley, president of American Express Global Business Travel, highlighted the significance of business travel in the aviation sector.

"Business travel is a crucial passenger segment for aviation, accounting for around 15% of air travel globally and generating around 40% of revenues," Crawley said. "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 SAF Solution: Air travel contributes to approximately 90% of business travel emissions. The primary challenge lies in the aviation sector's reliance on fossil fuels.

SAF, in its pure form, can slash lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fossil-based fuels. It stands as the aviation industry's most viable route to decarbonize air travel.

The current production and demand for SAF are limited due to its cost, which is two to eight times higher than regular jet fuel.

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Amex GBT and Shell Aviation are bridging this gap by pooling resources from Shell Aviation's airline clientele and the purchasing power of Amex GBT's vast corporate customer base. This collective effort aims to co-fund the cost of SAF, signaling capital investment in production facilities and technologies, propelling the emerging SAF industry forward.

Jan Toschka, president of Shell Aviation, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting the significance of Google's involvement in the initiative. 

"It’s great that through the Avelia program, Shell Aviation will supply SAF to support Google in cutting emissions from its corporate flying," Toschka said. "Considering Google’s stature and prominence, this announcement represents an important milestone for decarbonising aviation."

Photo: Shutterstock

This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors