Wednesday, July 3, 2024 The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged South Africa to leverage its expertise, resources, and infrastructure to expedite the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The appeal was made during the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference, where government and industry leaders convened in Johannesburg. “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 led the 2022 ICAO Assembly where governments endorsed a long-term objective aligned with the aviation industry’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in reaching this target was underscored by the ICAO CAAF/3 goal of achieving a 5% average global reduction in aviation carbon emissions by 2030. Given the global effort needed to decarbonize aviation, it is crucial for international and reg.
