Shell, Accenture and AMEX GBT launch SAF book-and-claim solution

Shell, Accenture, and American Express Global Business Travel are jointly announcing the launch of Avelia - one of the world’s first blockchain-powered digital sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) book-and-claim solutions for business travel.
It is the largest SAF book-and-claim pilot at launch, offering around 1 million gallons of SAF – enough to power almost 15,000 individual business traveller flights from London-to-New York.
The pilot phase of the programme aims to demonstrate the credibility of the book-and-claim model, using blockchain technology to ensure secured allocation of SAF’s environmental attributes to companies and airlines after the fuel has been delivered into the fuel network.
With Avelia, airlines and business customers could simultaneously reduce emissions in their respective scopes, while ensuring transparency and accountability by avoiding issues such as double-counting.
Jan Toschka, President, Shell Aviation, said: “SAF is a key enabler of decarbonisation in the aviation industry, and it’s available today. However, it’s currently scarce and costs more than conventional jet fuel. Avelia will help trigger demand for SAF at scale, providing confidence to suppliers like us to further increase investment in production, and in turn helping to lower the price point for these fuels.”
Paul Abbott, CEO, Amex GBT, said: “A truly viable route to decarbonising air travel is now open for business. We’re calling on all companies to join us and share the costs and benefits of SAF across the travel and aviation sectors. Airlines will gain access to the buying capacity of businesses, drawing from Amex GBT’s 19,000 customers around the world.”
Rachel Barton, Europe strategy lead, Accenture, said: “We believe every business should be a sustainable business and that sustainability will serve as one of the most powerful forces for change.”