Industry organisation the South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) has changed its name to the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (Fiasa) to reflect its commitment to a sustainable future for the fuels industry.

"The shift from Sapia to Fiasa represents a pivotal evolution that will stretch our reach into different types of energy mobility for existing and future fuels. We want to be among the architects of the energy landscape that will drive South Africa and provide inclusive energy solutions," Fiasa executive director Avhapfani Tshifularo announced this week.

"As an industry association, we aim to be part of the dialogue and implementation to advance low-carbon fuels. We aim to contribute to a secure and sustainable energy future for mobility," he commented.

The rebranding is in response to urgent imperatives, including improving ambient air quality and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from transport, as well as aligning with South Africa's 2050 net-zero objective, he said.

Fiasa's advocacy will extend beyond petroleum as part of efforts to contribute to securing South Africa's energy future.

"Every type of fuel has a place in South Africa's future. Our rebranding reflects a commitment to all transport energy sources. The interests of the energy and mobility sector are the ones that we felt would be better accommodated in an association that historically focused on energy, transport and mobility.

"Our name change speaks to the changes in the mobility landscape and those anticipated in the future," Tshifularo said.

Issues of climate change were critical to the industry and these were forcing a global restructuring of economies to lessen their dependence on fossil fuels, although each country was different as was the pace of change in each, he said.

"The change means replacing fossil fuels with other energy carriers with lower carbon footprints. South Africa is not immune to this global restructuring, and various policies are already being introduced to reduce the country's dependence on energy sources that produce unwanted carbon.

"Over the next 30 years, we aim to set the agenda in the industry and in energy for transport. We see the industry playing a vital role in the energy transition," said Tshifularo.

While the new clean fuels programme that comes into force in 2027 should allow new vehicles to be introduced, other cleaner energy sources will also come into play, such as sustainable aviation fuel and biofuels blended into fossil fuels.

"Ultimately, we want to see a decrease in our dependence on fossil fuels and decarbonise the economy. As part of the energy industry, we want to support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas and address climate change. Electrification of transport has the potential to reduce demand for oil.