The aviation industry serves a vital role in global connectivity and will continue to expand this role through advances in technology and infrastructure development. While safety has always been a major concern for passengers, airlines and airport service providers, there has been a shift of focus towards the achievement of net zero emissions. ICAO’s Member States agreed on a Long-term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
EAC Partner States have greatly benefited from the collaboration and support of the ESAF Regional Office on the road to compliance with ICAO Annex 16 provisions. In 2021 ICAO-ESAF provided technical support that began with an introduction to environmental protection concepts as well as supporting the development of zero draft documentation. Recognizing the need for increasing awareness, ICAO-ESAF successfully facilitated an engaging sensitization workshop for the Partner State Experts. The Agency is very optimistic that the capacity building initiatives and the foundation laid by ICAO will go a long way in establishing an environmentally sustainable aviation system.
The achievement of the LTAG will rely on the combined effect of multiple CO2 emissions reduction measures, including the accelerated adoption of new and innovative aircraft technologies, streamlined flight operations, and the increased production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). There is also a need for collaborative action at all levels to support the implementation of ICAO’s basket of measures. Effective implementation of these measures by States at the regional level is critical.
Regional Offices work closely with various regional partners to create a powerful synergy that can bring progress in aviation. One example of this was the inaugural environmental protection collaboration between ICAO’s Eastern and Southern African (ESAF) Office and two Regional Safety Oversight Organisations (RSOOs) in the ESAF Region.
The ESAF Office joined forces with the East African Community’s Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) and the Southern African Development Community’s subsidiary organization, the SADC Aviation Safety Organisation (SASO) to advance environmental protection in the region.
RSOOs and ICAO ESAF team up to champion environmental protection in aviation
As is traditionally known, RSOOs were established to promote and support safe and efficient civil aviation practices within their Regions. From the onset, this has been the mandate of CASSOA and SASO but as the need for environmental sustainability of the aviation sector became a growing concern, they both took steps to support their Partner States towards a more sustainable future. Several environmental collaborative initiatives have taken place between ICAO ESAF, CASSOA and SASO.
The initial activities involved convening a series of virtual meetings between CASSOA and ICAO ESAF on the ICAO Annex 16 requirements on environmental protection. ICAO provided guidance to enhance the understanding of the SARPs by CASSOA in support of the development of the draft environmental regulations for the EAC. Building on the momentum of the virtual meetings, a joint in-person sensitization workshop was held in Kigali, Rwanda for the EAC Partner States in May 2023.
From an un-informed eye, aviation environmental protection has been one of the least understood subjects and even regarded as a throttle to profitable business. However, through capacity building and support from the ICAO ESAF office, a better comprehension of this topic is being achieved in the SADC region. Participants who attended a recent ICAO ESAF/SADC environment workshop resolved to do their part in promoting the conservation of this fragile planet for future generations. A lot more still needs to be done to reduce carbon emissions, yet the region is proud to have taken these first steps in collaboration with ICAO.
Embracing a collaborative and cooperation approach, SASO at the invitation of CASSOA participated, in this workshop. Following the success of the ICAO/ CASSOA workshop, another coordinated effort activity was conducted by the ESAF Office and SASO in November 2023 for the SADC Partner States. During both activities, the ESAF Office facilitated comprehensive knowledge transfer through presentations, interactive question-and-answer sessions, and practical exercises. This aimed to enhance the capacity and collaborative potential among Member States.
High-impact outcomes are expected from these ongoing initiatives
The impact of this collaboration is already being felt. In both activities, Partner States adopted several workshop resolutions for further action with the support of the RSOOs and ICAO. These included the cooperation and collaboration on research and identification of regional:
- Verification bodies;
- Emissions unit programmes; and
- Sustainability certification schemes
Looking ahead
Challenges like inadequate financial resources; competing priorities (balancing environmental demands vs economic growth) and technical resources remain. Nevertheless, the RSOOs and the ESAF Office are geared towards a continued unwavering commitment to improving the environmental performance of the Region. More joint activities are lined up for 2024.
These new collaborative efforts can provide a beacon of hope for a sustainable future where the African aviation industry looks forward to a greener and cleaner tomorrow. Moreover, they serve as an encouragement for other ICAO regions, highlighting the vital role of such partnerships in propelling the aviation industry towards net-zero emissions. These coordinated efforts on environmental protection at the regional level can translate global aspirations like the LTAG into tangible actions, ensuring that no region is left behind on the journey to net-zero skies!
About the Author
Chinga Mazhetese joined ICAO in September 2019 and is responsible for Environmental Protection and Aeronautical Meteorology (MET) at the ESAF Office. She is an environmental scientist at heart and is passionate about influencing and shaping action on sustainably advancing aviation environmental protection and aeronautical meteorology. Prior to joining ICAO, she was an Environmental Protection Specialist at the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
