BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has called on stakeholders in the aviation industry to deepen collaboration to reduce carbon emissions, with a strong focus on Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
Speaking at the Stakeholder Engagement on Carbon Emission Management on Wednesday, FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mr. Henry Agbebire, emphasised the urgent need for collective action.
“Aviation business is at risk without collaborative efforts to manage carbon emissions.
“Imagine a scenario where global airspace becomes inaccessible due to bad weather. The economic and social consequences would be devastating, and the aviation industry could face extinction if such conditions persist. Our business is at risk if we do not act together to reduce and properly manage emissions from our operations.”
FAAN highlighted that while the global aviation industry contributes 2% of total carbon dioxide emissions, airports account for 5% of this figure, a significant proportion when critically examined.
Kuku pointed to MMIA’s accreditation under the Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme as a key milestone.
Accredited in 2020 for mapping and reporting emissions in line with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, the airport found that over 80% of its emissions stem from electricity consumption.
“MMIA’s full accreditation for emission reduction reflects the ambitious and capital-intensive measures implemented under our Carbon Management Plan (CMP).
However, the journey ahead remains long as we aim for higher levels of certification in the ACA programme,” she said.
FAAN also announced plans to compute Scope 3 emissions at MMIA, which include indirect emissions from third-party sources.
“This requires relevant data from stakeholders, and our teams will follow up after today’s event. Together, we can decarbonize the Nigerian aviation industry,” Kuku concluded.
Tony Ukachukwu, Chief Executive Officer of Aviators Africa, emphasised the challenge posed by airport carbon emissions to industry sustainability.
He noted that Nigeria’s air transport sector contributes approximately 1.4% to the national GDP, with over 20 million passengers transiting Nigerian airports annually.
“Collaboration among stakeholders is essential for emission reduction. The benefits include improved outcomes, increased innovation, and enhanced reputation”, he said.
Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and a pivotal hub for West African aviation, faces the unique challenge of balancing growing air transportation needs with sustainable environmental practices.
Together, we can transform how we think about travel, technology, and our collective environmental responsibility.”
Representatives from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) echoed the call for sustainability.
NAMA’s Managing Director, Engineer Umar Farouk, represented by his technical adviser, Jibrin Haske, highlighted the agency’s progress in reducing aviation emissions.
“Since 2015, we have implemented Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) systems across Nigerian airports, enabling precise flight paths that reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions,” he said.
“In December 2021, we introduced Free Route Airspace (FRA), allowing aircraft to select direct routes, further minimizing emissions.”
NCAT’s Acting Rector, Engr. Daniel Lawrence, affirmed the institution’s commitment to sustainability in aviation training.
“We stand at the forefront of shaping aviation professionals who will lead efforts to adopt green technologies, enhance fuel efficiency, and reduce our environmental footprint.
Together, we can achieve carbon neutrality in aviation while ensuring safe, efficient air travel for future generations,” he stated.
The stakeholder engagement underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing climate change’s impact on aviation.
With FAAN leading the charge, stakeholders are poised to make significant strides toward carbon neutrality, ensuring the sector’s long-term sustainability and environmental responsibility.
