By Jeff Kapembwa

Africa should maximise the use of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and cut down emissions that may hype the meagre emissions and contribute to climate change, continent’s airspace regulatory body, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) has warned.

The aviation industry accounts for 2.5% to 4% of global CO2 emissions but has a higher overall impact (3.5% to 4%) on climate change when non-CO2 effects, such as contrails, nitrogen oxides, and soot, are included.

A significant portion of this impact, around two-thirds, comes from these non-CO2 factors, which contribute to the formation of clouds that trap heat and warm the planet but with the heightening climate change effects on the continent, precaution should be a priorities by all end users of aviation fuel.

While the regulator- AFCAC doesn’t have explicit policies for reducing emissions, it indirectly supports environmental goals through the Continental Seamless Airspace initiative.

This is the ultimate to reduced fuel consumption and emissions through optimized flight paths.

This is calls for more manufacturing of SAF, made from renewable energy, capable of cutting emissions significantly, a study by industry experts shows.

SAF is made from renewable resources and offers a significant reduction in emissions (60-100%) compared to traditional jet fuels.

Secretary General Adefunke Adeyemi of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) says the organization supported by the African Union seeks adheres to the calls to maintain Africa’s low emission rate of 4 percent annually.

This calls for energy providers to support the maximum production of the alternative fuel that cuts down emissions of various gases including Co2. This is as espoused by SAATM as it endeavors to liberalize air services, making travel more affordable, efficient, and accessible for all Africans.

Adeyemi, a Nigerian-born-aviation expert, speaking on the sidelines of the SAATM Pilot Implementation Project (PIP) Airshow in Lusaka last month in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), COMESA, and AFCAC, to accelerate air transport liberalization and improve continental connectivity said discussions are underway to flood the market with SAF and comply with Africa’s desire to remain a low emitter.

“WE are talking with all players in the aviation industry to observe the call for the effective use of SAF which is also cost reflective and helps fight climate change, we are getting positive feedback and we hope to continue that way” she said

Adeyemi who is serving her second term as Secretary General of AFCAC calls for increased profitability among airlines but with caution on the need to avoid emissions that contrast the call for low global emissions.

“We are in this war together and we should all do what is good for Africa and the world because climate change is a major threat to our planet and it is here to stay” she said.

Aviation’s Climate Impact Breakdown
• CO2 Emissions: Commercial aviation accounts for about 2.5% to 4% of global CO2 emissions.
• Non-CO2 Effects: These include:
o Contrails and Contrail Cirrus: Short-lived clouds formed by jet engine exhaust that reflect sunlight during the day and trap heat at night.
o Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): These gases influence the formation of other gases like ozone, which also affects the climate.
o Soot and Aerosols: Soot particles and sulfur aerosols also contribute to the overall climate impact.
• High-Altitude Effects:
Aviation’s emissions occur at high altitudes where they can have more potent and long-lasting effects.
• Heat-Trapping:
The contrails and contrail-induced cirrus clouds formed by these emissions trap outgoing heat, which has a significant warming effect, sometimes exceeding the warming impact of all the CO2 ever emitted by aircraft.
• Other Gases:
Aviation also affects the atmosphere by influencing the concentrations of other climate-relevant gases, like methane and ozone.
Key Considerations
• Effective Radiative Forcing:
The non-CO2 effects are significant enough that the total impact of aviation is often measured by effective radiative forcing, which accounts for all its contributions.
• Growth and Efficiency:
The aviation sector is energy-intensive, and its demand has been growing faster than efficiency improvements, leading to a projected increase in emissions unless significant technological shifts occur.
• Individual Footprint:
Flying is a high-impact activity, with a single round trip sometimes creating a significant portion of an individual’s annual carbon footprint.
• Aviation is responsible for 3.5 percent of climate change, study shows.