A solution that combines carbon sequestration, operational benefits and ESG objectives.
The Soil.is solution developed by Egis is based on the principle of natural carbon sequestration, a process by which CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere and stored in the soil and vegetation through plant photosynthesis. It is a nature-based solution that also restores biodiversity.
In the context of airport projects, Egis first assesses the carbon stock on the site and its potential for additional storage. This is a comprehensive audit of the land assets using remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and sampling techniques. Based on this analysis, Egis then proposes a carbon absorption strategy tailored to the type and amount of available land at the airport. This strategy is tailored to meet the client’s needs and objectives. Implementation is followed by monitoring, reporting, and certification processes.
Soil.is was implemented in 2022 at Abidjan airport. Detailed studies and consultation workshops were first conducted with various stakeholders. Then a cost estimate was prepared, leading to the near-final design of the project.
AERIA chose a project that would deliver solutions beneficial to the local environment and the surrounding communities.
Four main areas of work are underway:
- Creation of a vegetable and agroforestry belt.
- Restoration of a mangrove on the airport site.
- A circular economy project based on compost production from organic waste sourced from both the airport and agricultural sites.
- Re-vegetation of the runway edges (green maintenance).
In 2023, Egis organised a business consultation, resulting in the selection of a consortium of local companies to carry out the work associated with these projects. Pilot projects for planting and setting up market gardeners were also initiated.
In 2024, the four activities continued. Planting for the market garden belt began. In coordination with the gardeners, species of tree and hedge such as moringa, neem, soursop, vetiver, and korsaflan were selected and then planted around the edges of the areas and between the market gardeners’ plots.
Work on the mangrove restoration project has begun, in partnership with Jean Lorougnon Guédé University in Daloa, which specialises in sustainable development programmes. Nurseries have been set up on-site to propagate mangrove seedlings, which will be replanted in the lagoon.
The circular economy project mainly involves the collection of livestock effluents, catering organic waste, kitchen waste from hotels and restaurants, and green waste from the airport site. In total, 900 tonnes are collected annually and transformed into compost to enrich the vegetable activities and the airport’s soils.
For the re-vegetation of the runway edges, several pilot areas were created, with plantings carried out in 2023 of different species in various soil types. Samples taken in 2024 and analysed in the laboratory will help measure the carbon sequestration capacity of the soils, based on methods that involve or exclude the addition of compost or biochar, a plant-based charcoal used as an alternative. Site visits carried out at the end of 2024 have already shown marked visual results, particularly with the use of compost, which has encouraged denser vegetation cover.
Early results
The benefits of the project go beyond carbon sequestration activities. It addresses multiple objectives, also contributing to AERIA's corporate social responsibility (CSR) ambitions and its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
- Financial: Once carbon absorption is quantified and certified, it will allow the airport to reduce its purchase of carbon credits on the voluntary carbon market. The Soil.is solution is expected to achieve more than 35% compensation for emissions from scopes 1 and 2.
- Operational gains: The implemented solution improves soil resistance to erosion and extreme weather events, as well as reduces maintenance costs. This removes the need for embankment work on the runway edges. Mowing is reduced thanks to the low-growing plant species selected, including those around runway signage and taxiways. There are safety benefits too, since it reduces the need for maintenance personnel on the manoeuvring area.
- Environmental: Tree and plant species are selected in collaboration with the market gardeners and chosen for their ability to fertilise and enrich the soil, helping reduce the use of chemical inputs (pesticides and fertilisers) and limiting soil erosion. Livestock effluents are collected to avoid discharge into the lagoon or on-site burning. They also provide organic material to the market gardeners for compost production.
- Social: The Soil.is project is expected to have notable socio-economic impacts. More than 200 vegetable growers and market gardeners are involved in the project, organised in associations and with benefits for their households. In total, over 1,000 people will benefit from the project and its impact. Choices are always made in consultation with these communities, and solutions are co-designed with them for the greater good. Residents can gain economic benefits (planting fruit-bearing crops) and health benefits (medicinal properties of the selected species), as well as through the establishment of beekeeping, which serves as an income-generating activity.
