The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is strengthening partnerships with stakeholders to combat carbon emissions at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and across the country.
This was highlighted during the Stakeholder Engagement on Carbon Emission Management held on Wednesday.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mr. Henry Agbebire, emphasised the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the environmental risks facing the aviation sector.
She noted that climate change, particularly bad weather, significantly impacts global air travel, posing economic and operational threats.
“The aviation industry contributes about 2% of total global carbon dioxide emissions, and airports account for about 5% of that figure. This percentage, though small, has significant negative implications,” Kuku said.
Highlighting FAAN’s strides, she pointed out that MMIA earned its accreditation under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme in 2020 after successfully mapping and reporting its emission sources.
She revealed that over 80% of emissions from MMIA stem from electricity consumption.
A robust Carbon Management Plan (CMP) has since been developed to drive further reductions.
“Implementation of some measures has earned MMIA full accreditation for carbon emission reduction by the ACI,” she added, urging stakeholders to provide essential data for the computation of Scope 3 emissions — a key step for further ACA certifications.
The guest speaker and CEO of Aviators Africa, Tony Ukachukwu, stressed the importance of stakeholder collaboration to achieve meaningful emission reductions.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s air transport sector contributes 1.4% to the national GDP, with over 20 million passengers transiting through its airports annually.
“Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and a pivotal hub for West African aviation, faces the unique challenge of balancing growth with sustainability. A unified approach is critical to reducing emissions and fostering innovation,” Ukachukwu stated.
Representing the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the MD, Engr. Umar Farouk, through his technical adviser Jibrin Haske, outlined NAMA’s efforts to enhance airspace efficiency and reduce emissions.
Key initiatives include implementing Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) systems, Free Route Airspace (FRA), and satellite-based navigation for more direct flight paths, which minimize fuel consumption.
“Innovations such as AI, digital tower systems, and advanced surveillance technologies will further reduce aviation’s environmental impact while maintaining safety and efficiency,” Haske added.
The Acting Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), represented by Engr. Daniel Lawrence, emphasized the institution’s role in training aviation professionals to embrace sustainable practices.
“As we face the challenges of climate change, NCAT is committed to promoting green technologies, enhancing fuel efficiency, and fostering innovations to minimize aviation’s environmental footprint,” he stated.
The event underscored the importance of cooperation among airline operators, fuel suppliers, and aviation agencies. Stakeholders pledged their support towards achieving a cleaner, sustainable future for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
FAAN’s engagement reaffirms its dedication to achieving carbon neutrality, aligning with global standards and commitments, and setting a benchmark for environmental sustainability in West African Aviation.
