Google extends sustainable aviation fuel deal with Amex GBT and Shell

Google has strengthened its push to decarbonise business travel by extending a long-term sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) agreement with American Express Global Business Travel and Shell Aviation, signalling growing corporate momentum behind cleaner aviation fuels.

The deal centres on the use of the Avelia platform, a blockchain-enabled registry designed to track and allocate SAF environmental attributes, allowing companies to reduce the carbon footprint of their air travel even when sustainable fuel is not physically available on specific routes.

SAF is widely viewed as one of the most viable near-term solutions for reducing emissions in aviation, a sector often described as “hard to abate” due to the technical challenges of electrification.

Compared with conventional jet fuel, SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 per cent, depending on the feedstock and production method. However, supply remains limited, and scaling production requires strong and consistent demand signals from large corporate buyers.

Vrushali Gaud, Google’s global director of climate operations, said long-term agreements are critical to unlocking that growth.

“Sustainable aviation fuel represents a key opportunity to decarbonise aviation,” she said. “By committing to long-term demand, we can help expand supply while reducing our own emissions.”

The agreement relies on a “book and claim” system, which allows organisations to purchase the environmental benefits of SAF without requiring the fuel to be physically used on their specific flight.

Instead, SAF is injected into the aviation fuel system at designated locations, and its emissions reductions are tracked and allocated digitally via the Avelia platform. This approach helps overcome one of the biggest barriers to SAF adoption, its limited geographic availability, while enabling broader participation across the aviation value chain.

The system uses blockchain technology to ensure transparency and traceability, providing verified emissions reduction data to participating companies.

Avelia has rapidly expanded since its launch, with more than 64 million gallons of SAF now integrated into global fuel networks across multiple airport locations. The platform has helped avoid over 590,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and now includes participation from dozens of corporations and airlines.

Andrew Crawley, president of American Express Global Business Travel, said corporate engagement is essential to building a viable SAF market.

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“Business travel can be a force for good,” he said. “By driving demand, companies like Google are helping to accelerate the development of a lower-carbon aviation industry.”

Raman Ojha, president of Shell Aviation, added that collaboration across the sector is key to scaling production and deployment.

“Google’s commitment sends an important signal to the market,” he said, noting that sustained investment is needed to expand supply and reduce costs.

Global SAF production has increased significantly in recent years, rising more than twentyfold since 2021, and is expected to reach over 700 million gallons annually by the end of 2025. Despite this growth, SAF still represents a small fraction of total aviation fuel use, highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead.

Governments are increasingly stepping in to support the transition, with policies such as tax credits in the United States and blending mandates in Europe and Asia aimed at стимулиating production and adoption.

The agreement reflects a broader trend of large corporations taking a more active role in driving climate solutions, particularly in sectors where direct emissions reductions are difficult to achieve.

By committing to SAF, companies can reduce the environmental impact of business travel while supporting the development of new energy markets.

As pressure mounts on the aviation industry to cut emissions, SAF is expected to play a central role in the transition.

However, scaling production to meet global demand will require continued collaboration between energy providers, airlines, governments and corporate buyers.

Google’s extended agreement highlights how long-term partnerships and innovative financing models can help bridge the gap between supply and demand, and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable aviation sector.