Shell Aviation, Accenture, and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) announced enhancements to Avelia, their blockchain-powered sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) platform, transitioning it to a multi-supplier model to boost SAF adoption. Launched in 2022 with 1 million gallons, Avelia’s book-and-claim system has enabled 57 companies and airlines to inject 33 million gallons of SAF across 17 global airports, abating 300000 tonnes of CO2e by March 2025. With SAF at 0.7 percent of 2025 jet fuel production, can Avelia’s $100 million expansion drive $10 billion in decarbonization or will $500 million in supply and cost barriers limit impact?

Avelia’s Upgraded Features and Technology

Avelia, developed by Shell and Accenture with Energy Web Foundation support, now allows SAF from multiple suppliers, moving beyond Shell’s sole provision. The “Bring Your Own SAF” (BYOS) model lets airlines track externally sourced SAF digitally, enhancing book-and-claim credibility. Accenture’s independent data hosting on a blockchain ensures transparency, preventing double-counting and verifying 80 percent of SAF’s environmental attributes. By March 2025, 900 retirements supported 530000 London-to-New York equivalent flights. Multilateral governance, set for 2026, will involve 20 stakeholders, aligning with ICAO standards to drive $1 billion in SAF markets.

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Environmental and Economic Impact

SAF reduces lifecycle GHG emissions by up to 85 percent compared to jet fuel, critical for aviation’s 2-3 percent of global 35.6 billion tonne CO2e emissions. Avelia’s 33 million gallons abated 0.0008 percent of global emissions, powering 530000 passenger equivalents. The multi-supplier model could inject 100 million gallons annually by 2030, cutting 1 million tonnes of CO2e and supporting $5 billion in SAF investments. Amex GBT’s 19000 clients drive demand, potentially saving $200 million in Scope 3 emissions costs for corporations like Google and Delta. The platform creates 2000 jobs in SAF supply chains.

Corporate Governance and Transparency

Avelia’s governance aligns 80 percent of its $100 million budget with CORSIA standards, avoiding $10 million in compliance risks. Partnerships with 15 firms, including Rolls-Royce and Bank of America, verify SAF allocations, saving $5 million in audits. Accenture’s blockchain hosting ensures data integrity, supporting $1 trillion in global sustainability markets per Seville Commitment goals. Public-private coordination with IATA and the Jet Zero Council ensures 70 percent of SAF meets environmental criteria, contributing 0.01 percent to CO2e reductions. Multilateral oversight by 2026 minimizes $2 million in transparency risks.

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Challenges to Scaling

SAF’s 0.7 percent share of 2.1 million tonnes in 2025 jet fuel production limits scale, with $500 million in supply chain investments needed for 10 percent by 2030. SAF’s 2-8 times higher cost risks $100 million in adoption delays, as 60 percent of airlines cite affordability issues. Infrastructure constraints at 30 percent of airports require $50 million in upgrades. Regulatory gaps, like potential US policy shifts, threaten $1 billion in SAF funding. Competition from hydrogen and electric aviation could divert 20 percent of $10 billion in investments.

Future Outlook

By 2030, Avelia could support 500 million gallons of SAF, abating 3 million tonnes of CO2e and driving $10 billion in revenue. Adding 10 suppliers and 50 airports may save $200 million in logistics costs, supporting 0.02 percent of CO2e reductions. Scaling needs $1 billion to align $50 billion in aviation markets. The BYOS model could cover 30 percent of global SAF by 2035, per IATA projections.

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