Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has reached a new milestone in environmental sustainability, achieving Level 3 Certification in Airport Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program for four of its key airports: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Moi International Airport (MIA), Kisumu International Airport (KIA) and Eldoret International Airport (EIA).
This achievement, announced on November 27, 2024, places these airports among an elite group in East and Central Africa, underscoring Kenya’s leadership in sustainable aviation practices.
The Level 3 certification, which emphasizes Optimization and Airport Stakeholder Engagement, is a significant step toward KAA’s ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and achieving Net-Zero emissions by 2050.
KAA’s progress has been steady since it embarked on the ACA certification path in 2021, earning Level 1 (Mapping) and advancing to Level 2 (Reduction) in 2023.
The latest milestone demonstrates KAA’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and engaging stakeholders in its sustainability efforts.
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a suite of green initiatives has been implemented to tackle carbon emissions.
These include energy-efficient infrastructure projects, the adoption of renewable energy sources, and extensive waste reduction programs.
At Moi International Airport, solar energy and LED lighting systems have been introduced, alongside rigorous maintenance protocols to ensure maximum efficiency.
Kisumu International Airport has taken steps such as installing solar-powered streetlights and constructing a green terminal building, showcasing its dedication to sustainability.
At Eldoret International Airport, improvements include replacing Mercury Vapor streetlights with LED fittings and adding solar bollard lights in the concourse area.
Henry Ogoye, KAA’s Acting Managing Director and CEO, highlighted the significance of the achievement.
“We are thrilled to achieve this important milestone, which underscores our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainability within the aviation sector.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff and stakeholders who have collaborated to implement sustainable practices across our airports,” he said.
Airport carbon accreditation
The ACA program, endorsed globally as the sole carbon management certification for airports, independently assesses and certifies airports based on their efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
It comprises seven levels: Mapping, Reduction, Optimization, Neutrality, Transformation, Transition, and Level 5.
KAA’s accomplishment at Level 3 sets the stage for continued progress as the authority strives to further integrate sustainability into its operations and achieve higher levels of accreditation.
