Kenya is among five countries set to benefit from the Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE) project, which aims to phase out the use of toxic fluorinated firefighting foams linked to serious environmental and health risks.
In a press statement, The FIRE project initiative launched jointly by The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) aims to phase out the use of toxic fluorinated firefighting foams and replace them with safer alternatives at major airports in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Together with participating airports, FIRE will support the transition from highly toxic firefighting foams to fluorine-free foams while maintaining safety and operational integrity.
These efforts are expected to promote safe removal of 4,500 tonnes of PFAS-contaminated material from fire trucks and safe disposal of 130 tonnes of PFAS-based foam concentrate.
FIRE, a USD $82.5 million initiative with a USD $10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and USD $72.5 million in co-financing from partners – will phase out firefighting foams containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), hazardous ‘forever chemicals’ linked to serious environmental and health risks.
Kenya’s Airport Authority CEO and Managing Director, Dr Mohamud Gedi, said that this project marks a significant step forward in Kenya’s commitment to protecting public health and the environment.
“By phasing out harmful PFAS chemicals from firefighting foams, we are safeguarding our communities and contributing to a cleaner, safer future for all,” said Gedi.
Global Environment Facility (GEF), Senior Chemicals Specialist Anil Sookdeo said that the FIRE project shows how sector-focused action can drive the elimination of hazardous chemicals across value chains.
“The GEF is proud to support this effort, which we hope will inspire both participating countries and the wider aviation sector to transition to PFAS-free firefighting foams.” Said Sookdeo.
UNEP Director of Industry and Economy Division Sheila Aggarwal-Khan said that FIRE is an important initiative that empowers countries to eliminate one of the most harmful groups of pollutants found in firefighting foam supply chains
“The project supports a practical transition to safer, accessible, and affordable alternatives, showing that environmental and health protection can go hand in hand with business and operational viability,” said Khan.
ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar, said that the International Civil Aviation Organisation is committed to supporting the adoption of safer and more sustainable firefighting practices at airports worldwide.
“The facilitation of access to safe alternatives to PFAS foams will be a very significant step for the recipient countries,” said Salazar.
On his part, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions on Persistent Organic Pollutants Rolph Payet said that PFAS is an invisible pollution time bomb that demands urgent, globally coordinated action before it is too late.
Payet said that initiatives like FIRE, which aim to eliminate PFAS from high-risk open applications such as firefighting foams, demonstrate how the Convention fosters multilateral cooperation, drives innovation, and transforms practices, ultimately contributing to a cleaner environment and a healthier planet and people.
“The inclusion of several major PFAS under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants marks a critical step in international efforts to reduce exposure and environmental contamination” said Payet.
The FIRE Project is implemented by UNEP, executed by ICAO, and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This project is part of a broader set of UNEP-GEF activities dedicated to global monitoring and eliminating the use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and reducing the impacts of POPs on human health and the environment.
By Anita Omwenga
