The European Commission is stepping up its efforts to support the development of alternative aviation fuels beyond the borders of the EU¡¯s 27 member states.

The commission held a ¡°high-level¡± meeting with the African Civil Aviation Commission?on Monday (8 September) to discuss the development of what the aviation industry calls sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The EU aims to ¡°foster the global development and production¡± of alternative aviation fuels outside Europe, with a specific focus on African countries, through its wider?Global Gateway initiative.

This week¡¯s meeting looked at how to finance the production of SAF and other cleaner energies in Africa. It was also attended by representatives from ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), the African Union, European Investment Bank and the World Bank. The EU is due to hold a summit with the African Union in November.

Magda Kopczy¨½ska, the EU¡¯s director-general for mobility and transport, said:?"The EU is proud to strengthen its partnerships with African states and institutions to build momentum towards decarbonising aviation on the path to net-zero.

¡°The commission will continue to advance the global production of SAF as well as renewable and low-carbon fuels, in line with the ICAO¡¯s No Country Left Behind initiative.¡±

Alternative aviation fuels can reduce emissions from aviation by as much as 80 per cent over the lifecycle of the fuel, compared with traditional jet fuel and form a key part of the EU's goal of reaching net-zero for aviation by 2050.