With corporate travel booming, eSAF offers a key solution for decarbonizing business travel, delivering up to 90% lower emissions and significant cost predictability.
Corporate travel is booming. According to the Global Business Travel Association, global business travel spending soared to $1.34 trillion in 2023, with U.S. business travel alone contributing nearly 2% to the nation’s GDP in 2022 – a clear sign of the sector’s rising prominence. Electric sustainable aviation fuels (eSAF) offer businesses a unique opportunity to decarbonize corporate travel, address Scope 3 emissions, and drive real change.
eSAF is supported by a wide range of stakeholders, including airlines, fuel producers, fixed-base operators, agribusinesses, and governments. They offer not only environmental benefits but also commercial and strategic advantages
eSAF, also known as power-to-liquid fuel, is made from electricity and carbon dioxide. They are critical for the future of aviation and can be used in existing aircraft without retrofitting engines or fuel tanks. eSAF is supported by a wide range of stakeholders, including airlines, fuel producers, fixed-base operators, agribusinesses, and governments. They offer not only environmental benefits but also commercial and strategic advantages. Best of all, they provide a predictable cost structure with lower price volatility than traditional fossil fuels.
Here at Twelve we’ve seen firsthand how these alternative fuels are revolutionizing travel. Our company produces E-Jet® SAF, which uses only water, renewable electricity, and captured CO2 to create jet fuel. The benefits of eSAF are clear: up to 90% lower emissions compared to conventional jet fuel; and 1000 times less water and 30 times less land used when compared to biofuels.
Decarbonizing corporate travel is a powerful way to align with both employee and stakeholder values
While some advocate for flying less, air travel is essential for global business. The solution isn’t to host more Zoom meetings and reduce travel, but rather to make travel less carbon intensive, starting with the fuel itself. The answer lies in decarbonization through eSAF; carbon offsets alone are no longer credible. Corporate leaders must lead this transition, as neither airlines nor individual travelers can drive this change alone.
Corporate leaders must lead this transition, as neither airlines nor individual travelers can drive this change alone
In the U.S., corporate travel accounts for around 2 billion gallons of fuel per year. Decarbonizing business flights with eSAF presents a low-cost, high-impact way for companies to lead in sustainability without bearing a significant financial burden. This strategy can substantially reduce Scope 3 emissions while keeping operational budgets intact.
eSAF presents a low-cost, high-impact way for companies to lead in sustainability without bearing a significant financial burden. This strategy can substantially reduce Scope 3 emissions while keeping operational budgets intact
The business case for these fuels is already clear. From 2021 to 2023, eSAF usage increased from 5 million to 24.5 million gallons. Major airlines, including United and Virgin Atlantic, have completed flights using 100% SAF, and Oneworld members such as British Airways (one of our customers), Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways have committed to purchasing large quantities in the coming years.
From 2021 to 2023 eSAF usage increased from 5 million to 24.5 million gallons
Various tax credit programs from the U.S. federal government, individual states like Nebraska and California, and the European Union already support eSAF adoption. These credits make it easier for businesses to incorporate alternative fuels into their fueling routines.
Technological advancements are also making these fuels more affordable and available. At Twelve, we are scaling our carbon transformation technology to produce jet fuel at scale, further reducing costs.
For companies already purchasing renewable energy, the ‘book and claim’ system makes it easier to obtain eSAF for flights. This system allows companies to purchase the fuel without needing to specify exact routes in advance, making it simpler than ever to decarbonize corporate travel.
For companies already purchasing renewable energy, the ‘book and claim’ system makes it easier to obtain eSAF for flights
Corporate leaders should seize this opportunity to drive decarbonization through eSAF. This strategy not only reduces emissions but also engages workforces and helps companies position themselves as sustainability leaders. The aviation industry won’t lead this change on its own—it’s up to businesses to act now.