Nigeria's Aviation Sector Takes Steps Towards Sustainable Future - By Daisy BARRO

Stakeholders at the Forum in Lagos Recently 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) recently hosted a stakeholders' engagement on airport carbon emission management. The event, held on December 11, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Lagos, brought together key players in the aviation industry to discuss strategies for reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable aviation practices.

In her welcome address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in managing carbon emissions. "The aviation industry may be at risk of extinction if we do not take collaborative efforts to ensure reduction and proper management of carbon emissions from our operations," she noted, adding that steps have already been taken towards reducing carbon footprint at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), having been accredited and certified by the Airports Council International (ACI) in 2020 for correctly mapping and reporting sources of emissions.

The MD, FAAN equally underscored MMIA's Carbon Management Plan (CMP), which includes measures to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions: "It is important to mention that measures included in our CMP are ambitious and capital intensive," said the FAAN boss. "Implementation of some of these measures earned MMIA full accreditation and certification for Reduction of carbon emissions from the airport by the ACI."

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) also shared its commitment to emissions management. In his goodwill message, the MD of NAMA, Engr. Ahmed Umar Farouk, revealed the agency's efforts to reduce emissions, highlighting NAMA's implementation of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) RNAV Approaches, deployment of renewable energy solutions, and redesign of air routes to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. "We have progressively implemented PBN RNAV Approaches in all Nigerian airports since 2015, enabling more precise and efficient flight paths, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions," he said.

In addition, the Agency has deployed solar power systems in most of its stations across the country: "This transition reduces reliance on fossil fuels, thereby cutting down CO2 emissions and contributing to a greener aviation environment," he noted.

Mr. Toni Ukachukwu, Chief Executive Officer of Aviators Africa, emphasized the need for a unified vision and collaborative governance to address the complex challenge of airport carbon emissions. "Reducing airport carbon emissions is not a solitary journey but a collective mission that demands the synchronized efforts of multiple stakeholders." He went further to explain that Nigeria's aviation landscape presents a compelling case for strategic carbon emission reduction, with projected air travel growth of 6-8% annually over the next decade.

According to him, the event underscored the importance of collective action in reducing airport carbon emissions and promoting sustainable aviation practices. "The journey towards sustainable aviation begins with a single, unified step. Together, we can transform how we think about travel, technology, and our collective environmental responsibility," he concluded.

The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme was also highlighted as a key initiative in reducing airport carbon emissions, as it provides a framework for airports to measure, report, and reduce their carbon emissions, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

As Nigeria's aviation sector continues to grow, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility. The conference served as a call to action for stakeholders to work together towards a more sustainable future for Nigerian aviation.