American Express Global Business Travel has joined the nonprofit World Economic Forum, in which it will assist in developing sustainable travel initiatives through its Mobility Platform, the company announced.
Among Amex GBT's key areas of focus in the forum will be the Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative, which aims to accelerate use of sustainable aviation fuel, stimulating demand and lowering the price differential with traditional jet fuels. The travel management company last summer announced it was working with Accenture and Shell on a blockchain-based platform for SAF purchasing, and both Accenture and Shell also are mobility platform partners in the WEF.
Other areas of focus for Amex GBT include the First Movers Coalition, a public-private partnership that includes the U.S. State Department and several other countries and companies working to create demand for clean technologies in industries with high carbon emissions; and Target True Zero, which is working to promote deployment of hydrogen- and electricity-fueled aviation technologies. Amex GBT CEO Paul Abbott in a statement said such initiatives are necessary to ensure travel could be a "force for good" in the global economy and community.
"For the world to continue enjoying these benefits, we must address the impact of travel-related carbon emissions on the environment," according to Abbott. "Governments and companies must therefore work together to tackle this challenge head on. The World Economic Forum can bring the right people to the table."
Amex GBT said it is the only travel management company that currently is a member of the Switzerland-based forum, which includes business, political, academic and other leaders around the world.