Adetunji Odunowo, the managing director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), says the federal government would partner aviation stakeholders to achieve net-zero carbon emission by 2060.

Mr Odunowo said this in Abuja on the sideline of the recent consultative meeting on the development and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Low Carbon Aviation Fuel and Aviation Cleaner Energies on Thursday.

The NAMA boss advised all stakeholders in the aviation industry to work with the acceptable standard practice to attain the achievement collectively. He added that effective collaboration among the relevant government agencies could lead to a 50 per cent carbon emission reduction.

In a related development, aviation minister Festus Keyamo has canvassed the deployment of cleaner aviation energies in Nigeria. According to him, preserving the national environment by the commitment of high-level representation in the consultative meeting will enhance standards in the aviation sector.

“I am highly honoured to be among this eminent gathering of policymakers, regulators, professionals and industry stakeholders. Cross session of a consultative meeting that is borne out of the desire for Nigeria to develop a clear roadmap,” Mr Keyamo explained. “Also targeting the use of cleaner energy in aviation, in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Resolution on global framework on aviation cleaner energies.”

The minister added, “This step is not only laudable but necessary for our airlines to be able to have a competitive operating advantage not just in our region but in the continent.”

He said the meeting was important for coordination and collaboration among all stakeholders in the aviation and energy sectors, including government agencies, industry players, civil society, academia and international partners.

According to him, collaboration among stakeholders will facilitate developing and deploying cleaner aviation energies in Nigeria to ensure that the country is not left behind in aviation environmental protection initiatives.

Mr Keyamo said, “A number of technical analyses have revealed that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has the greatest potential to reduce CO2 emissions from International Aviation. This further underscores the importance of this consultative meeting to aviation.

“The step that is being taken here today shows our commitment to meet Nigeria’s pledge under the Paris Agreement, the Nationally Determined Contributions and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

(NAN)