Nairobi: 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 was launched jointly by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to replace toxic firefighting foams with safer alternatives at major airports in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project will support the transition from toxic firefighting foams to fluorine-free alternatives while maintaining safety and operational integrity. These efforts are expected to lead to the safe removal of 4,500 tonnes of PFAS-contaminated material from fire trucks and the safe disposal of 130 tonnes of PFAS-based foam concentrate.
FIRE, an $82.5 million initiative with a $10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and $72.5 million in co-financing from partners, will phase out firefighting foams containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are hazardous chemicals linked to environmental and health risks.
Kenya's Airport Authority CEO and Managing Director, Dr. Mohamud Gedi, emphasized the importance of this initiative. 'By phasing out harmful PFAS chemicals from firefighting foams, we are safeguarding our communities and contributing to a cleaner, safer future for all,' Gedi stated.
Global Environment Facility (GEF) Senior Chemicals Specialist Anil Sookdeo highlighted the project's influence on eliminating 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,' Sookdeo said.
Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, UNEP Director of Industry and Economy Division, noted that the project supports a transition to safer, accessible, and affordable alternatives, demonstrating that environmental and health protection can coexist with business viability.
ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar, affirmed the organization's commitment to adopting safer firefighting practices. 'The facilitation of access to safe alternatives to PFAS foams will be a very significant step for the recipient countries,' Salazar remarked.
Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions on Persistent Organic Pollutants, stressed the urgency of addressing PFAS pollution. He noted that initiatives like FIRE demonstrate multilateral cooperation and innovation to transform practices for a healthier planet.
The FIRE Project is implemented by UNEP, executed by ICAO, and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It 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 their impacts on human health and the environment.