Google announced Monday it is joining one of the world’s largest sustainable aviation fuel programs, building on its goal to reach net zero across all its operations by 2030.
The program, headed by American Express Global Business Travel and Shell Aviation, launched in 2022 with 1 million gallons of SAF available for corporate customers – enough to power almost 15,000 business trips from London to New York. Other participating corporations include Aon, Bank of America, Delta, Cathay Pacific, JetBlue and Japan Airlines.
“The use of SAF will play a critical role in helping the aviation sector on its path to decarbonize,” said Michael Terrell, senior director of climate and energy at Google. “Joining Amex GBT’s sustainable aviation fuel program further represents Google’s continued efforts to accelerate the global transition to a carbon-free future.”
Andrew Crawley, president of Amex GBT, hailed the addition of Google.
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“Business travel is a crucial passenger segment for aviation, accounting for around 15% of air travel globally and generating around 40% of revenues,” he 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.”
With air travel accounting for around 90% of business travel emissions, sustainable business travel means addressing aviation’s dependence on fossil fuels. SAF can reduce life cycle carbon emissions by as much as 80% when compared with traditional fossil-based fuels. Yet it represents less than 0.1% of available aviation fuel and is two- to eight-times more expensive than conventional fossil-based jet fuel, limiting production and demand.
“Considering Google’s stature and prominence, this announcement represents an important milestone for decarbonizing aviation,” said Shell Aviation president Jan Toschka. “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.”