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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged South Africa to leverage its resources and infrastructure to advance the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. This call was made during the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference held in Johannesburg, where government and industry officials convened.
“South Africa has vast potential to become a leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) producer in the region. And there is a waiting market for SAF as airlines work to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. More than a strategy in support of aviation’s decarbonization, it is a strategy for economic development and should be a top priority for the new South African government. Across agriculture, energy, and transportation, new jobs and industries are waiting to be created that would not only help fight poverty but also contribute to greater energy independence,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president for sustainability and chief economist.
South Africa chaired the 2022 ICAO Assembly where governments agreed on a long-term goal aligned with the aviation industry’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The role of SAF in achieving this goal was underscored by the ICAO CAAF/3 objective of a 5% average global reduction in aviation’s carbon emissions by 2030. Global collaboration among stakeholders such as states, development banks, industry, academia, and other relevant parties is deemed essential for helping countries with SAF potential develop their industry.
