Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has urged for a global approach to the transition to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), emphasizing the impracticality of developed nations making the switch without including developing countries, reported The Cable.
Keyamo made his remarks at the ongoing third International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) conference on aviation and alternative fuels (CAAF/3) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He highlighted the interconnectedness of the aviation industry, stating that it is impossible for some regions to fully transition to SAF while others remain reliant on fossil fuels.
The minister stressed the importance of establishing a global finance structure for SAF development, asserting that a transition lacking global cooperation would undermine the efforts of developed countries.
In his address, Keyamo underscored the interconnected nature of aviation, stating, “My final thoughts on this issue is that, in line with what we’ve all adopted, that no nation or region should be left behind, is just to further emphasize the global nature of aviation.” He contended that it is impractical to have a fragmented approach, with some parts of the world still relying on fossil fuels while others have fully transitioned to SAF.
Highlighting the challenges of an uneven transition, Keyamo posed practical questions, such as how planes would refuel when traveling between regions with varying levels of SAF adoption. He advocated for a united global movement encompassing production, development, and deployment, suggesting the necessity of a global financing structure to support the development of SAF.
The minister concluded by reinforcing the collaborative spirit required for a successful transition, stating, “We are in this together, we need to carry ourselves along together.”
