Search Company:
Johannesburg - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged South Africa to leverage its expertise, resources, and infrastructure to accelerate the advancement of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. This appeal was made during the gathering of government and industry representatives at the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference in Johannesburg.
Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist at IATA, highlighted South Africa’s significant potential to emerge as a leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel producer in the region. The growing demand for SAF presents an opportunity as airlines strive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Thomsen emphasized that fostering SAF production is not just crucial for aviation decarbonization but also essential for economic progress, making it a top priority for South Africa’s new government. The development of new jobs and industries spanning agriculture, energy, and transportation could contribute to poverty alleviation and bolster energy sovereignty.
In 2022, South Africa chaired the ICAO Assembly where long-term objectives were aligned with the aviation industry's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The significance of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in meeting these objectives was underscored by the ICAO CAAF/3 directive aiming for a 5% global reduction in aviation carbon emissions by 2030. Given that decarbonizing aviation necessitates international cooperation, collaboration among stakeholders like States, development institutions, industry players, academia, and others is crucial to support countries with the potential to develop their SAF industry. Read more
Source: IATA
