Spring GDS’s Book & Claim Solution for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

(Spring GDS) Spring GDS is launching its’ Book & Claim solution to reduce emissions from air transport in November 2025.

Following the success of our HVO100 biofuel initiative that reduces road transport emissions by up to 90 %, we’re expanding our sustainability focus to air transport. Shipping by air is a significant source of pollution: According to the International Energy Agency, aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions (IEA, 2024). Without intervention, this share could rise to 22 % by 2050.

As a shipping partner deeply committed to minimising our impact on the environment, we’ve developed a solution to help you continue shipping by air while reducing emissions at the source. Our Book & Claim solution is the next step in our commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2040 and collaborating across the logistics sector to decarbonise.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) drives the pathway towards net zero aviation

Sustainable aviation fuel is an alternative to fossil-based kerosene, produced from renewable waste and residues. Unlike conventional kerosene jet fuel that adds CO₂ into the atmosphere, SAF reduces emissions at the source and creates a circular carbon cycle.

Spring GDS has secured 170,000 litres of SAF, enabling the allocation of verified emission reduction attributes to customers. With Book & Claim, you can choose how much SAF you wish to be linked to your air transport, helping you support verified emission reductions for your transport only. Our solution does all your sustainability reporting for you and ensures you receive the certified emissions savings: measurable, fully verified and aligned with global standards.

Why Book & Claim?

The logistics sector has a huge role to play in emissions reduction, and the low-hanging fruit of decarbonisation is largely behind us. Future progress lies in deeper collaboration across the value chain, accelerating the shift to net-zero together.

Book & Claim enables sustainable logistics without requiring direct physical access to SAF. We handle the sourcing of SAF directly from verified suppliers.

Understanding SAF and Book & Claim

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a next-generation jet fuel made from renewable and waste-based materials such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and agricultural or municipal residues. Unlike fossil fuels, SAF reuses carbon already in circulation, cutting lifecycle emissions by up to 80–95 % compared to conventional kerosene. These fuels can be used directly in today’s aircraft and fuelling systems, making them the fastest, most practical route to lower-carbon air transport.

All SAF we have purchased is independently certified under ISCC, RSB, and CORSIA standards, allocated via our suppliers' platforms to ensure full traceability and credible climate impact. The fuel is added to operations at Amsterdam Airport and used by aviation partners to reduce lifecycle emissions. All SAF must also meet the global ASTM jet fuel standards, so the fuel delivers immediate climate impact without compromising on performance or safety.

The Book & Claim process explained, from onboarding to reporting:

The Book & Claim process is designed to support sustainable logistics from onboarding to reporting:

Communication & Certification

How clients can report Scope 3 reductions*

Clients can use the allocations provided through our suppliers' platforms to report Scope 3 emission reductions. The platform records verified SAF attributes and certified lifecycle GHG data, enabling clients to claim reductions within their value chain emissions in line with the GHG Protocol and book-and-claim principles.

*Scope 3 emissions are indirect greenhouse gases from a company’s value chain, like suppliers, transport, and product use.

Third-party verification and audit readiness

Verification is ensured through recognised sustainability standards such as ISCC, RSB, and CORSIA, which confirm the fuel’s origin and emission performance. Together with the blockchain-based audit trail from Avelia, these certifications provide full traceability, ensuring the process of transparent and credible allocation of carbon.

Marketing and sustainability messaging support

We provide shareable reports on the amount of SAF bought by each customer. We make sure all data provided is audited and certified from our part. This enables customers to confidently use the data in their sustainability messaging and marketing materials.

Insetting versus offsetting models of decarbonisation

Offsetting and insetting represent two distinct approaches to decarbonisation. Offsetting involves compensating for emissions by investing in external projects, such as reforestation or renewable energy, outside the company’s own value chain.

While this method has historically been popular, it has come under increasing scrutiny for its lack of transparency, limited traceability, and questionable long-term impact. Moreover, it is increasingly viewed as insufficient for sectors with high direct emissions, like air transport.

In contrast, insetting focuses on reducing emissions within a company’s own operations and supply chain. This approach is more impactful and traceable. For example, investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) directly replaces fossil kerosene with renewable alternatives, cutting lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 80 %.

As the aviation sector faces mounting pressure to decarbonise, insetting (through mechanisms like SAF and Book & Claim) is emerging as the preferred model, offering measurable reductions and greater credibility than traditional offsetting. We’re proud to be part of this major shift towards a decarbonised economy and sustainable shipping solutions.

Ready to reduce your air transport emissions?

Sustainability becomes accessible, measurable, and transparent for every shipment, with verified emission reduction attributes in line with international reporting standards. As a sustainable international shipping partner committed to reaching Net Zero by 2040, Book and Claim is the next step in our promise to reducing emissions across our activities and our sector. READ MORE; includes VIDEO