Federal Government Plans Abuja Airport Decarbonisation

The federal government has begun planning to decarbonise the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.

He suggested exploring group electrification of aprons and terminals, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) corridors, and waste-to-energy projects to reduce emissions in airport operations.

The minister, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, at a stakeholders engagement on carbon emissions management organised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, said the challenges posed by climate change demand decisive, concerted action by stakeholders to embrace decarbonisation.

He said, “The global aviation community stands at a crossroads. On one hand, we are drivers of economic growth, connectivity, and national development. On the other hand, we are duty-bound to address our environmental impact with utmost seriousness.

“The challenge of climate change is not a distant theoretical concern; it is a present and pressing reality that demands decisive, concerted action. For Nigeria, a nation poised for exponential growth in air travel and trade, embedding sustainability into the core of our aviation infrastructure is not an option; it is an imperative for long-term, resilient prosperity”.

Also speaking, the managing director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, said climate change poses a threat to the global aviation industry, with potential negative ripple effects on business and livelihood if not properly managed.
Kuku, who was represented by the director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr. Luqman Eniola, said FAAN is committed to decarbonising its operations through the implementation of strategic measures.

On the essence of the stakeholder engagement, she said, “This forum is expected to help FAAN understand emission management measures so that we can integrate them into our carbon management plan for the airport, where necessary.”

She hinted that the FAAN ACA Team and the Carbon Emission Reduction Committee (CERC) carried out mapping in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt, noting that electricity consumption accounted for about 90 per cent of the total emissions for Lagos airport from 2017 to 2023.

Kuku said the implementation of emission reduction measures for the Lagos airport has commenced, adding that more actions will be considered in reconstructing and expanding the airport’s terminal buildings.

“The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is also important to us, and this is why we are hosting this event today to ensure that we hear from you and will journey together. As they say, ‘never walk alone’! We want to walk with you, and we need you to walk with us in determining a net-zero emissions target in our airport operations,” the FAAN MD stated.