Kenya’s four airports have received recognition for carbon management as the world gears towards zero emissions.
Jomo Kenyatta, Moi, Kisumu and Eldoret International Airports have earned the Level 2 ‘Reduction’ certification under Airports Council International (ACI).
ACI Programme – the only institutionally-endorsed, global carbon management programme for airports, offers evaluation, measuring and rewarding aerodromes for their carbon management efforts.
It strives to enable the airport industry to effectively reduce its carbon footprint and to benefit from increased efficiency through lowered energy consumption.
The programme consists of six progressive levels of certification which include mapping, reduction, optimisation, neutrality, transformation, and transition, each requiring strict adherence to environmental performance metrics.
There are currently 10 accredited airports in seven countries in Africa at level 2 ‘Reduction’, representing 20.6 percent of African air passenger traffic.
Kenya Airports Authority managing director Henry Ogoye said the accreditation was a testament to the agency’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
“This laudable achievement underscores our role as a responsible environmental steward in the region,” said Mr Ogoye.
“We’re deeply committed to working alongside our various airport partners, from airlines to ground handling companies, and service providers, to explore additional ways to mitigate carbon emissions at our facilities.”
He said the achievement was not only in fulfilling KAA’s duty to present generations but also in laying a foundation for sustainable operations for the future.
The 4 KAA managed airports joined the ACA in 2021 with the program providing a framework to optimise and, eventually, eliminate emissions at the facilities.
The initiative is in line with the authority’s strategic plan which highlights environmental stewardship as one of its main strategic pillars.
The accreditation comes just a day after Kenya concluded hosting the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.
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