Nigeria’s Minister, Festus Keyamo, emphasizes commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector

Oru Leonard

Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, has emphasized the country’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector. During a courtesy visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, Keyamo highlighted Nigeria’s alignment with the Paris Agreement and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO), Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Speaking during the visit he noted that agencies under the Ministry are working assiduously on several initiatives to reduce and mitigate the impact of Climate Change. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) addresses climate change by producing seasonal climate predictions and partnering with other agencies to promote climate action. In the same vein, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is one of the global airport operators that is voluntarily participating in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme which is the only internationally recognized programme that provides a framework for measuring, reporting and managing emissions of Greenhouse gases (GHG) from airports globally. As a result of this, the carbon footprint for MMIA Lagos was reduced by 6% in 2021 due to improved energy management, earning the airport a Level 2 ACA accreditation (Reduction). In addition, there are ongoing plans to achieve Level 3 (optimisation) accreditation for Lagos and Level 1 (mapping) accreditation for Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt airports this year.

Furthermore, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is actively addressing climate change and aviation environmental protection through its commitment to the ICAO CORSIA initiative and the submission of the State Action Plan (SAP) on CO2 emission reduction.

He acknowledged the importance of collaboration with Distinguished Members of the Green Chamber, the Ministry recognizes the importance of collaborating with the Committee to implement policies that address Climate Change and environmental sustainability. “Through this collaboration, we hope to achieve a unified approach to climate change, policy advancements, public and private sector synergy and global leadership.
I believe that this courtesy visit marks a significant step towards advancing our shared objectives of tackling climate change. The aviation industry has a vital role to play in achieving a sustainable future, and through collaboration with the House Committee on Climate Change, we can ensure that Nigeria’s aviation sector leads by example in adopting green technologies and practices”, Keyamo stated.

Initiatives by the current aviation Minister include:

• Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program: The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is participating in this program to measure, report, and manage greenhouse gas emissions from airports globally. Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos achieved a 6% reduction in carbon footprint in 2021, earning Level 2 ACA accreditation.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF): The Ministry is exploring the development and deployment of SAF, Low Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), and cleaner energies in collaboration with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).
• State Action Plan (SAP): The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has submitted a SAP on CO2 emission reduction, demonstrating its commitment to mitigating environmental impact.

The Minister listed collaborative efforts done of Aviation and Aerospace Development to include:

• House Committee on Climate Change: The Ministry is working closely with the Committee to implement policies addressing climate change and environmental sustainability.
• International Cooperation: Nigeria is committed to global efforts to combat climate change, aligning with ICAO and CORSIA initiatives.

The Aviation Sector Goals include:

• Reduce Carbon Footprint: Implement sustainable practices and reduce emissions.
• Improve Fuel Efficiency: Invest in modern aircraft and optimize flight operations.
• Adopt Green Technologies: Leverage innovative solutions for a more environmentally responsible aviation sector.

Keyamo expressed optimism of working closely with the MPs to implement the necessary policies and actions that will create a more sustainable, resilient and environmentally responsible aviation sector in Nigeria.