Assessment of Aircraft Carbon Emission in Nigerian Airspace towards Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

Global effects of climate change due to greenhouse gas emission are increasing this need to be given more attention. Also further  improvements required for the global long-term demand of air transportation and reduction the net greenhouse gas emissions as a  contributor to climate change mitigation. This study aimed at examining the carbon emission from domestic air traffic operations in Nigerian with view to mitigating climate change impact from aviation sector. in line with International Civil Aviation Organization  resolution A38-18 of 2013 targeting annual emission reduction by at least 2% from 2021 to 2050. Carbon Emission Calculation  Methodology was adapted in assessing total carbon dioxide emission by some Nigerian domestic airline in 2019. Cluster and purposive  sampling methods were used in selecting the aircrafts. Results indicate B737 as the most commonly used aircraft in domestic routes with  44.9% fleet in the period. 71.5% of routes had fuel consumption to Carbon dioxide emission ratio of 1:3. Azman air had the highest  percentage (83%) of the commonest aircraft type (B737s). Again it had 5,984 domestic trips on a cumulative distance of 3,521,218  kilometers with total carbon dioxide emission of 55,729,531 kgCO2. Pearson correlation analysis indicated positive relationship between  great circle distance, fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission on each route and collectively with a high level of significance (r =  0.798, P = 0.001). Sustainable improvement of airspace infrastructures to reduce flying time and carbon dioxide emission. Environmental  economics market based measures should be applied to aviation operations to ensure environmental sustainability