Shell’s Blockchain Solution to Scaling SAF
Each year, 35% of the world’s trade value is carried by air.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could reduce aircraft CO₂ emissions by 80% compared to traditional jet fuel – that’s 2% of global emissions across all sectors.
Air freight produced nearly 20% of all aviation emissions in 2018 and the volume of air cargo flight increased 25% in 2023.
Getting the sustainability benefits of SAF into supply chains could make a big sustainability impact.
Avelia is a digital platform built by Shell and Accenture with support from Amex Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) that opens up access to SAF for airline operators and corporations.
The platform is expanding into the air freight sector with Avelia Air Freight Solutions.
Powered by blockchain technology, Avelia has already delivered more than 18 million gallons of SAF and abated more than 165,000 tonnes of CO₂e in business travel and aims to make a difference in air freight.
"The high cost of SAF requires innovative solutions. By enabling the sharing of environmental attributes between physical SAF users and organisations seeking to meet their sustainability targets, Avelia creates a pathway for broader participation in aviation decarbonisation," says Raman Ojha, President of Shell Aviation.
"Avelia is now evolving to meet the air freight sector's need for solutions to demonstrate verified emissions reduction progress.
“Through enabling freight forwarders to access and allocate SAF environmental attributes to their shipping customers, both parties can access these attributes for emissions disclosure while supporting broader SAF adoption."
How does Avelia work?
Avelia is a blockchain-powered booking programme for SAF.
This solution provides users with detailed and fully traceable environmental data about SAF, enabling individuals, businesses and now freight providers to reduce their air travel emissions.
Its approach is simple yet effective: Avelia spreads the cost and benefits of SAF across the aviation sector.
This enables airlines to acquire SAF at lower costs and allows businesses seeking to cut emissions to access it more readily.
The programme has attracted more than 30 major corporations and airlines, including Google, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, Rolls-Royce and Aon.
Raman says: “SAF is the only scalable in-sector solution for decarbonising aviation.
“At Shell Aviation, we are pleased to continue our relationship with Amex GBT through Avelia, helping to connect corporate travel demand with SAF supply.
“It is a great example of cross-value chain collaboration leading to the innovative platforms we need to progress the sustainable future of aviation.”
Paul Abbott, Amex GBT CEO, says: “Avelia’s growth is proof that corporate travel can play a pivotal role in scaling the sustainable technologies needed to address air travel emissions.
How Avelia can support freight decarbonisation
Avelia’s customisable platform has been adapted to enable freight forwarders to offer SAF programmes to their customers or integrate with existing SAF programmes.
Its use of blockchain technology provides transparent, safe and reliable tracking and allocation of SAF’s environmental attributes for shippers and freight forwarders.
Avelia is delivering SAF across 13 global airport locations and has received recognition from more than 35 airlines and corporations participating in the programme.
Extending this solution to air freight creates new opportunities for stakeholders to accelerate SAF’s adoption across the aviation value chain and accelerate decarbonisation in the sector.
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