By Sade Williams
Ahead of the implementation of the CO2 Emissions Mitigation Measures and Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2021, Nigeria has developed and submitted its State Action Plan to ICAO while it has also voluntarily notified it that it will join CORSIA implementation from the outset during the pilot phase from 2021.
Capt. Muhtar Usman, director general, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who disclosed this while declaring open a seminar on the Development Of States’ Action Plans On CO2 Emissions Mitigation Measures And CORSIA for States Accredited to ICAO WACAF and the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) in Lagos on Wednesday, said this is with a view to being on the same page with the rest of the world on emissions mitigation measures.
He said the rapid growth of air travel in recent years has contributed to an increase in total pollution attributable to aviation, adding that ICAO decided to provide leadership to undertake efforts to reduce aviation’s contribution to climate change.
“As we all may be aware, aviation plays an essential role in the economic growth and market access for the world economy. The rapid growth of air travel in recent years however contributes to an increase in total pollution attributable to aviation.
“Thus, ICAO decided to provide leadership to undertake efforts to reduce aviation’s contribution to climate change. These efforts include the development of State Action Plans by member States, the development of basket of measures to address CO2 emissions from international aviation through aircraft technology; operational improvements; sustainable alternative fuel for aviation and a global scheme known today as the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
“I am pleased to inform you that Nigeria has not only developed and submitted its State Action Plan to ICAO but has also voluntarily notified ICAO that it will join CORSIA implementation from the outset during the pilot phase from 2021 with a view to being on the same page with the rest of the world on emissions mitigation measures”, he said.
While appreciating the efforts of ICAO and other organisations for putting the workshop together, he said seminar has been designed to provide National Action Plan Focal Points and aviation industry stakeholders with practical input on the calculation of the CO2 emissions baseline and other quantification aspects as well as share information on CORSIA’s design elements and implementation aspects, including the work being undertaken on the development of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and guidance material for CORSIA implementation.
According to him, it will also provide opportunity for States that are present here to share their experiences in the development of action plans and existing readiness to implement CORSIA as well as conduct an assessment of assistance needs.
He assured the stakeholders that that ‘NCAA is committed to actively provide dynamic, purposeful and imaginative leadership in addressing the challenges posed by emissions from aviation and climate change in our region’, urging all participants to ensure that the opportunity provided by the seminar is fully optimized so as to achieve all the objectives that have been set forth.
Also speaking, Mr. Tefera Mekonen Tefera, director general, Air Transport of African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), noted that in 2016, all AFCAC member States was tasked to develop and submit to ICAO, their States’ Action Plans on CO2 emissions reduction measures before June, 2018, adding that the Secretariat was mandated to implement this task through liaison with ICAO and other stakeholders.
He noted however that only four ECOWAS member States have so far completed and submitted their States’ Action Plans to ICAO, advising that members should take advantage of the workshop to develop and submit theirs.
“A cursory look at the list of States that are yet to complete their Action Plans shows that 11 States are from the ICAO-WACAF region and are all members of ECOWAS. Meaning that, only 4 ECOWAS member States have so far completed and submitted their States’ Action Plans to ICAO.
“Consequently, AFCAC took a decision to collaborate with ICAO and ECOWAS to organize this additional Workshop/Seminar to build capacity and assist these member States having challenges in developing their State Action Plans as well as to facilitate the engagement of the “ICAO Buddy Program” among States.
“You may also wish to know that due to the clear synergy between State Action Plans and Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), this Workshop/Seminar is also designed to upgrade the understanding of participants so that they can have a better grasp of the functioning, implications and benefits of their States participating in the pilot and first phases of the scheme.
