Swakopmund: Executive Director in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Jonas Sheelongo, has called on SADC member states to move beyond policy discussions and take decisive action towards achieving sustainable aviation and reducing carbon emissions. Speaking at the official opening of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Annex 16 Environmental Workshop in Swakopmund on Tuesday, Sheelongo said the region must transition from policy to production to realise its goal of sustainable aviation by 2050.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Sheelongo emphasized the importance of translating commitments under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) into tangible national projects. He outlined the country's ambition to become a hub for green fuel production through its renewable energy and green hydrogen projects. Sheelongo noted that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offers both environmental and economic opportunities for the region, highlighting its potential to create jobs, stimulate innovation, and strengthen regional economies.

The three-day workshop, hosted by Namibia through the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), gathers aviation experts, environmental officers, and delegates from SADC member states to exchange ideas on sustainable aviation practices. It is held in collaboration with the SADC Aviation Safety Organisation (SASO), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Eastern and Southern Africa Office, and ICF International.

NCAA Executive Director Toska Sem stated that the workshop aims to strengthen collaboration among SADC member states to align with ICAO's long-term global goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. She stressed the need for coordinated and innovative solutions to address the environmental challenges posed by aviation, which is vital for socio-economic development.

Sem also reaffirmed the country's voluntary participation in the CORSIA programme since 2017 and its recent inclusion in the ICAO ACT-SAF programme, underscoring ongoing efforts to integrate environmental considerations into national policy. ICAO's Environmental Officer, Chinga Mazhetese, praised Namibia for its leadership, noting that 3 per cent of SADC member states are already SAF partners under the ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels programme.