South Africa Looks to Develop Aviation Biofuels Supply Chain in Response to Vulnerability over Carbon Taxes and Penalties

(GreenAirOnline) As part of policy objectives to reduce carbon emissions by state-owned companies (SOCs) and stimulate a green economy, the South African government is planning a strategy to help develop a home-grown aviation biofuels industry to support South African Airways (SAA). The country’s Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba, said at the launch last week of a climate change policy framework for SOCs that the fully state-owned flag carrier will require biofuels to make up half its fuel supply by 2020 “in order to avoid future penalties”. In the short term, he said, SAA was exploring the implementation of a voluntary carbon offset project to support forestry development in the region. The announcement came as the airline introduced a one to two euro carbon surcharge from the beginning of this month on passengers travelling to and from Europe to cover its EU ETS costs. READ MORE