Shell , Accenture and Amex GBT launch pilot for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Shell , Accenture , and American Express Global Business Travel ( Amex GBT ) have jointly announced the launch of the sustainable aviation pilot scheme , Avelia .
The scheme is a blockchain-powered digital Sustainable Aviation Fuel ( SAF ) book-and-claim solutions for business travel . Book-and-claim is a solution that enables airlines to purchase SAF without being geographically connected to a supply site .
The scheme is set to offer 1m gallons of SAF , a biofuel used to power aircraft that has similar properties to conventional jet fuel but with a smaller carbon footprint .
Avelia aims to provide airlines and business customers the opportunity to simultaneously reduce emissions , while ensuring transparency and accountability by avoiding issues such as double counting .
Developed by Shell and Accenture , with the support of the Energy Web
Foundation ( EWF ), Avelia includes Amex GBT ’ s travel management services to aggregate global business demand for SAF .
Rachel Barton , Europe strategy lead at Accenture , stated : “ Our vision for the Avelia platform is to bring together airlines , corporates , cargo players , and SAF suppliers in a trusted ecosystem that no individual company could build or access on its own .”
AI-powered recycling tech via vending machines at KLCC
The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre ( KLCC ) has invested in two smart reverse vending machines ( RVM ), aiming to become a more environmentally sustainable venue .
The AI-powered RVMs are equipped with photo and bar-code recognition technology , as well as machine-learning capabilities that enable brand recognition of containers , auto-identification of material and sorting them into separate bins . It also provides real-time data tracking and reporting with key information such as total containers disposed , type , brand , recycler profile , timing and machine alerts .
Delegates and visitors to the venue are entitled to redemption points when they deposit their empty plastic bottles and aluminium cans in the RVM . The points can be exchanged for retail promotions and discounted lifestyle experiences . Yugatheeswaran Arjunan , director of facilities at the KLCC , said : “ This initiative is aimed at incentivising good , responsible actions . We all like being rewarded , especially for our positive acts and we believe that through these RVMs , more people will be encouraged to recycle .”
Right : Graham Pope
Cvent acquires VenueDirectory
The global meetings , events and hospitably technology provider , Cvent has announced the acquisition of VenueDirectory , a database company for venues .
VenueDirectory offers sourcing solutions including a booking module which allows users to enquire , book , track , invoice , report and make commission claims . It also has an embeddable widget that venues can leverage to allow their clients to book small meetings .
Cvent aims to use VenueDirectory ’ s UK and European venue database to complement its own 290,000 hotels and venues listed on the Cvent Supplier Network .
Michael Begley , CEO of VenueDirectory , commented : “ By joining a global leader in the event and hospitality technology space , we can tap into their resources , share best practices , and most importantly , deliver more ways for planners and suppliers to better connect and support the MICE ecosystem .”
Graham Pope , vice-president of international sales at Cvent , said : “ With the demand for in-person events continuing to grow , efficient and effective online venue sourcing is top of mind .”
VenueDirectory will continue to operate as a standalone business unit .
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