OMV and Microsoft Accelerate Decarbonization of Corporate Air Travel and Its Supply Chain Logistics

(OMV Group) OMV and Microsoft sign an agreement for the purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates (SAFc); OMV SAF Business solutions is tailored to help organizations reach their climate targets (Scope 3); “Chain of custody” model enables Microsoft to accelerate the decarbonization of corporate air travel and its supply chain logistics

OMV, the integrated company for energy, fuels & feedstock, chemicals and materials, headquartered in Vienna, and Microsoft, today announced the signing of an agreement to procure Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates (SAFc).

Since March 2022, OMV has been producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel by co-processing sustainable and regional raw materials, specifically used cooking oil, at its Schwechat refinery in Austria. Compared to conventional jet fuel, SAF contributes to a reduction of CO2 emissions of more than 80%. OMV has already signed several MoU’s and offtake agreements with international and national air carriers.

Now, OMV is taking the next step. The newly developed SAF Business solutions are tailored to help organizations accomplish their Scope 3 indirect emission reduction goals, such as from air travel and/or the air transportation of goods. In cooperation with the independent global organization RSB, an innovative chain-of-custody model is piloted that allows OMV to reliably and verifiably transfer the environmental benefits of SAF in the form of SAF certificate. This enables Microsoft to reach its decarbonization targets (Scope 3) and further establish a credible, sustainable corporate air travel and supply chain logistics.

Martijn van Koten, OMV Executive Vice President Fuels & Feedstock, “Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a strategic key pillar of OMV’s strategy 2030. Now we are taking the next step in decarbonizing air travel and the air transportation of goods. We are proud to expand our Sustainable Aviation Fuel growth path together with RSB and to support corporate customers like Microsoft, to achieve their sustainability goals.”

The pilot will be guided by the RSB Book & Claim System – a set of principles and online tracking system that has been developed through a global, multi-stakeholder process to ensure that the use of this chain of custody model has full traceability and credibility, as well as a demonstrable climate impact.

Remarking on this important step, Elena Schmidt, RSB’s Executive Director, says: “RSB is proud to collaborate with OMV and Microsoft to unlock the full potential of book and claim to reach decarbonization targets and to demonstrate demand for sustainable fuels to help grow supply. Trust is the centerpiece of book and claim, and delivering a trustworthy solution built on genuine global, multi-stakeholder dialogue is fundamental for the RSB. We are thrilled to be working with OMV and Microsoft to demonstrate in a credible way that book and claim can help meet climate goals and ensure real in-sector transformation.”

In 2020, Microsoft announced that it will be a carbon negative, water positive, zero waste company that protects ecosystems – all by 2030. Microsoft has made progress towards these goals, including investing in carbon removal, adopting a circular approach for materials management, increasing water access, and protecting more land than used.

“Microsoft is pleased to work with OMV to procure Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates (SAFc) as an integral component of our work to reduce our business travel and supply chain logistics emissions,” said Katie Ross, director of carbon reduction strategy & market development at Microsoft. “This collaboration underscores our dedication to reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector. Together with OMV and RSB, we are accelerating our vision for a more sustainable future, fostering SAF production and contributing to a low-carbon economy.”

OMV Aktiengesellschaft
At OMV, we are re-inventing essentials for sustainable living. OMV is transitioning to become a leading sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials company with a focus on circular economy solutions, while operating today across three integrated business segments of Energy, Fuels & Feedstock, and Chemicals & Materials. By gradually switching over to low-carbon businesses, OMV is striving to achieve net zero by latest 2050. The company achieved revenues of EUR 62 billion in 2022 and has a diverse and talented workforce of around 22,300 employees worldwide. OMV shares are traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange (OMV) and as American Depository Receipts (OMVKY) in the U.S. Further information at www.omv.com

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is a global membership organization that drives the just and sustainable transition to a bio-based and circular economy. Our sustainability framework has been developed by our multi-stakeholder membership and is a uniquely robust and credible foundation for addressing the climate crisis. We use this foundation to develop projects, guidance and new knowledge and solutions that equip key decision-makers to deliver net-positive impacts for people and the planet. READ MORE