The future of energy
Aviation has always powered progress. As we all move into recovery and get ready to take to the skies again, the industry will surely resume its role in expanding horizons and broadening opportunities to live, learn and work for people all around the world.
Our future growth will enable even more individuals, communities and businesses to enjoy the benefits that aviation brings. However, we must look to grow responsibly, and this means tackling emissions today, along with a clear, long-term approach to sustainability.
As we aim to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, we also make it our mission to develop our portfolio of products and services to help fulfil our customers’ requirements in a way that will enable them to achieve their own decarbonization ambitions.
Our pathway to net-zero
Aviation is recognised as a sector where emissions are hard to abate. No single solution or player can deliver the decarbonization for the industry that is needed. All parties that benefit from flying must come together, using all available measures to tackle emissions today, for a sustainable tomorrow.
Improved aircraft efficiency
First, by avoiding emissions, through improved aircraft and engine efficiency and by powering ground operations with renewable energy. Lower carbon technologies, such as hydrogen and electricity could eventually play a key role in avoiding emissions. But these are unlikely to have a significant impact until 2040 or later.
Offsetting emissions
And finally by offsetting emissions, in the short to medium-term. Until avoid and reduce measures are in place to create impact at scale, the use of carbon credits will play a vital role. Used alongside other measures like SAF, high-quality offsets, such as nature-based solutions, can help aviation tackle net emissions today, ensuring the industry continues to support growth and prosperity, as it builds towards a truly sustainable future.
A sustainable future
Inspired by the Paris Agreement, our drive to help customers towards a sustainable future is grounded in Shell’s own ambition to become a Net-Zero energy Net-Zero energy business by 2050 or sooner, in step with society.
Work together towards a lower carbon future
Shell Aviation is fully committed to collaborating with all players in the aviation community, to work together towards a lower carbon future. We aim to play our part in full; as a supplier of renewable and conventional fuel, as a technology and innovation partner, and as a strong advocate for solutions that will work today and tomorrow.
Find out more below about how we are collaborating to help reduce emissions and transition to a more sustainable future.
Carbon offsets: Compensate for your emissions today
The aviation sector is working on bringing measures that avoid and reduce emissions to scale, such as developing more sustainable aviation fuels. But they are also looking for ways to compensate their emissions right now. Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the carbon footprint that flying generates, and companies are looking for ways to be able to continue to operate and grow while limiting their impact.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Shell Aviation advocate a three-tiered carbon-management approach to emissions; Avoid, Reduce, Offset. We intend to supply a significant share of the available supply to the market by working with others including the world’s largest producer of SAF, World Energy. We are working to collaborate, to supply and to invest, all with the aspiration of offering SAF as a significant part of our fuels portfolio.
Nature-Based Solutions
As part of our ambition to become a Net-Zero energy business by 2050, Shell plans to make significant investments in nature-based solutions, helping protect and regenerate natural ecosystems by preserving nature’s ability to absorb CO2.
Unleaded Avgas
Remarkably, most fuel consumed by piston aircraft is still leaded. Shell is carrying on its tradition of innovation by developing and testing a safe unleaded fuel for piston aircraft.
Aviation’s window of opportunity - how can we fly and emit less?
VOICE-OVER
How can we fly more and emit less?
Since the first flights, visionaries turned to Shell to help tackle challenges and so enable progress.
Now the aviation industry faces one of its greatest challenges, we all need to work together to avoid, reduce and offset emissions.
Airports play a visible role in reducing emissions. Shell are working with them to achieve this.
In ground operations, Shell electric pump refuellers save fuel and avoid emissions during refuelling.
Around the world, more initatives are being undertaken to increase the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel:
At San Francisco International Airport, SkyNRG, World Energy and Shell provide leading airlines with a secure supply.
In the Netherlands, Shell’s partners supply the biofuel to the Dutch Airforce, supported by Shell and SkyNRG.
Together, we also provide Swedavia and seven Swedish airports with their necessary supply.
But supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel must increase significantly if it’s to maximise its role in reducing emissions.
In a dedicated test facility in Bangalore, Shell are investing in state-of-the-art IH2 technology, to create fuel from waste.
And, in the UK, Velocys, British Airways and Shell are collaborating to develop a waste-to- renewable-jet fuel plant.
Shell plan to invest $300 million over the next 3 years in nature-based solutions helping to protect and regenerate natural ecosystems, preserving nature’s ability to absorb CO2.
Nature has potential to provide more than a third of the climate solution by 2030*.
Nature-based solutions provide verified carbon credits to compensate for emissions, can the aviation industry afford not to use nature-based carbon credits to tackle its emissions while viable alternatives are secured?
The aviation industry has a window of opportunity to plan for sustainable growth. If you’d like to see how Shell can help you develop the right carbon management strategy for your business... our door is open.
Alternative
At San Francisco International Airport, SkyNRG, World Energy and Shell provide leading airlines with a secure supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
In the Netherlands, Shell’s partners supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel to the Dutch Airforce, supported by Shell and SkyNRG.
Together, we also supply Swedavia and seven Swedish airports with Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Navigating the pathway to sustainable aviation
The aviation industry is on its way to returning to the skies, and part of that return must include reducing its contribution to climate change. The current options are limited and complex, but with urgent action and collaboration from multiple stakeholders and consumer demand for sustainable aviation still strong, significant reductions in aviation emissions are possible.
Latest News and Highlights
Etihad Airways boosts its carbon offset programme in collaboration with Shell
The nature-based offsets, purchased from Shell, make Etihad’s efforts geographically diverse in the promotion of climate action.
Setting a flightpath to net-zero emissions in turbulent conditions
As the aviation sector plots a course for recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, it must renew its focus on reducing emissions.
Shell to supply DHL Express with sustainable aviation fuel at Schiphol Airport
DHL Express to fly on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the first time from Schiphol Amsterdam Airport.
Shell Aviation and SkyNRG supply sustainable aviation fuel, produced by World Energy, to Rolls-Royce for use in next generation engine demonstrator tests
Ground tests with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) aim to demonstrate Rolls-Royce engines can unlock SAF’s potential to reduce emissions.