STAFF WRITER
Namibia is advancing toward the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a key goal set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to cut carbon emissions in the aviation industry.
ICAO has set a target for member states to use at least 5% SAF within the next five years. However, the timeline allows countries flexibility depending on availability and local conditions.
SAF is a renewable, “drop-in” jet fuel substitute made from waste oils and agricultural residues. It can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% and is compatible with existing engines and infrastructure, though current supply is limited and requires blending with conventional jet fuel.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in partnership with the Swiss government last week, ICAO representative Cesar Valarde explained the targets.
“We must understand that the targets are not cast in stone and are mostly set depending on the progress being made by individual countries. Member countries hold the decision on how they want to go about implementation of their plan. For example, Kenya has already started exporting raw material to Europe for processing. However, the model that Namibia or any other country decides to use will align with national economic goals. We mostly support a transformation that improves local economies,” he said.
Valarde added that Namibia is preparing to meet the targets without stifling growth or sustainability for local airlines. In general, all ICAO members aim to transition to SAF by 2050.
At the workshop, Namibia also launched a feasibility study on SAF. Spearheaded by the NCAA, the study is a key step toward establishing a domestic SAF industry. In a speech read in her absence, NCAA Executive Director Toska Sem said the launch symbolises Namibia’s commitment to SAF and highlights progress in adopting clean energy across sectors.
The study, part of ICAO’s ACT-SAF program, will examine the feasibility of producing SAF locally and evaluate feedstock availability. It aims to align Namibia with global aviation decarbonisation goals and ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative, which seeks to build a competitive SAF industry to reduce carbon emissions in aviation.
The project involves the NCAA and ICAO and builds on Namibia’s participation in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the ACT-SAF program since 2024.
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