The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging South Africa to leverage its resources and expertise to become a frontrunner in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. This call to action comes during the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference in Johannesburg, where government and industry stakeholders convened, according to Ethanol Producer Magazine.
“South Africa has immense potential to become a leading producer of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the region. Airlines are actively seeking SAF to meet their goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist. “Developing SAF production isn’t just about aviation’s decarbonization; it’s a significant opportunity for economic growth and should be prioritized by the new South African government. This initiative could create new jobs and industries in agriculture, energy, and transportation, helping to alleviate poverty and boost energy independence.”
South Africa played a key role in the 2022 ICAO Assembly, where governments committed to a long-term goal aligned with the aviation industry’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. The importance of SAF in achieving this goal was underscored by the ICAO CAAF/3 objective, which aims for a 5% average global reduction in aviation’s carbon emissions by 2030. Decarbonizing aviation will require global collaboration, making it essential for stakeholders such as states, development banks, industry, academia, and other relevant parties to support countries with SAF production potential.
“Airlines are ready to buy SAF, as shown by the fact that every drop produced has been purchased and used. However, the current production volumes are far from meeting aviation’s needs. Therefore, it is crucial for governments in countries with SAF production potential, like South Africa, to embrace this unique opportunity for economic development, energy transition, and decarbonized air transportation,” Thomsen emphasized. IATA highlighted several advantages for South Africa in developing SAF production, which were also noted in a study conducted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
