Google‘s participation in a global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) programme underscores the company’s corporate sustainability strategy, reinforcing its pledge to attain net zero emissions by 2030.
What will the Google and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme collaboration look like?
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme is led by American Express Global Business Travel and Shell Aviation. This programme was launched in 2022 with 1 million gallons of SAF readily available for corporate customers.
This amount is quite significant as it can power almost 15,000 business trips from London to New York. Besides Google, many other corporations are participating in this programme.
Some of those involved include Japan Airlines, JetBlue, Bank of America and more. The implementation of SAF is vital in the aviation industry’s journey towards decarbonisation.
Google’s senior director of climate and energy, Michael Terrell, recognises this and emphasises that Google’s collaboration with the programme represents their ongoing efforts to drive the worldwide transition towards a carbon-free future.
The president of Amex GBT, Andrew Crawley, welcomed Google’s involvement in the programme and highlighted that corporate travel contributes to roughly 15 percent of worldwide air travel.
Additionally, it generates almost 40 percent of revenues in the aviation sector. Therefore, partnerships with large corporations like Google can play a pivotal role in expediting the aviation industry’s transition to promoting sustainable travel and achieving net zero.
Why this collaboration is significant and Google’s climate ambitions
With air travel being responsible for approximately 90 percent of emissions, addressing aviation’s reliance on fossil fuels is critical. SAF can curb emissions by up to 80 percent compared to traditional fossil-based fuels.
In saying that, SAF currently represents less than 0.1 percent of available aviation fuel and is much more expensive to produce and demand compared to traditional jet fuels.
Google recently entered its third decade of climate action and set very ambitious goals. They are pursuing net-zero emissions across their value chain and operations by 2030, supported by a clean energy goal to operate their office campuses and data centres on 24/7 carbon-free energy.
The company is assessing how the innovations they create can help to drive the global transition to a greener, carbon-free future. Beyond its carbon goals, Google also has plans to advance water stewardship, accelerate the circular economy, and enhance and protect nature and biodiversity through its technologies and campuses.
Summary
Google’s partnership with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel programme aims to boost SAF adoption. Esteemed by partners, this milestone underscores Google’s commitment to sustainability. In the current climate, such initiatives are crucial or addressing the environmental crisis effectively.
The collaboration only highlights the importance of collective action in turning the tide on climate change. Hopefully, this move by Google, a large corporation, can inspire other giant companies to prioritise sustainability initiatives as well as profit. If you are eager to drive positive change in your business, our corporate sustainability course will give you all the tools, knowledge, and insights you need to join the fight for a greener future.
