Les aéroports français montrent la voie en matière d’action pour le climat [EN version below]

25 November 2022

 
Sur les 425 aéroports qui réduisent leurs émissions de carbone dans le cadre de l’accréditation carbone mondiale des aéroports, 63 sont français.  Le nombre d’accréditation aux niveaux les plus élevés confirme leur position de leader dans l’action contre le changement climatique
 
25 novembre 2022 – A l’occasion du 4ème congrès annuel des aéroports français & francophones organisé par l’Union des aéroports français & francophones associés (UAF & FA), l’ACI entend souligner aujourd’hui les résultats obtenus en matière de décarbonation par l’industrie aéroportuaire française dans le cadre de la norme internationale relative à la gestion carbone des aéroports, l’Airport Carbon Accreditation.La France, leader de l’action climatique aéroportuaireAu niveau international, et sur 86 pays représentés dans l’Airport Carbon Accreditation, la France regroupe de loin le plus grand nombre d’aéroports engagés dans l’action climatique. Les 63 aéroports français qui s’attaquent actuellement activement à leurs émissions de CO2 dans le cadre de l’Airport Carbon Accreditation représentent près de 30 % du nombre total d’aéroports accrédités en Europe (219) et 15 % à l’échelle mondiale (425). Ces chiffres en disent long sur la détermination de la communauté aéroportuaire française à traiter les externalités négatives des opérations aéroportuaires.Cette volonté climatique se reflète également dans les niveaux d’accréditation actuellement obtenus par les aéroports français. Une nette majorité d’entre eux, 46, ont été certifiés pour avoir réalisé des réductions tangibles de CO2, du niveau 2 jusqu’aux niveaux les plus élevés du programme. Les aéroports poursuivent leurs efforts pour une transformation plus exigeante et parvenir aux niveaux les plus ambitieux du programme. Depuis le début du quatrième trimestre 2022, 4 aéroports ont été reclassés au niveau 21, 6 aéroports au niveau 32, tandis que les niveaux les plus élevés, les niveaux 4 et 4+, ont été atteints respectivement par l’aéroport Marseille Provence et l’aéroport Lyon Saint-Exupéry.Les deux réseaux aéroportuaires les plus fréquentés de France ont atteint les niveaux d’accréditation les plus élevés : le Groupe ADP exploitant les aéroports de Paris-CDG et Paris-Orly est au niveau 4 « Transformation » et Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur exploitant les aéroports de Nice et de Cannes au niveau 4+ « Transition ». Par ailleurs, VINCI Airports, opérateur aéroportuaire français devenu leader mondial, a obtenu la certification carbone aéroportuaire pour chaque aéroport de son réseau, dans le cadre de sa stratégie environnementale AirPacte. La pandémie mondiale n’a pas freiné le rythme des actions des aéroports en faveur du climat, malgré le choc sans précédent qu’elle a constitué pour le transport aérien.  Depuis le 1er mars 2020, date à laquelle la COVID-19 a été officiellement déclarée pandémie, 22 aéroports français ont rejoint le programme pour la première fois et 25 ont obtenu une accréditation à un niveau plus élevé qu’auparavant.
 
Le projet Engagement des Aéroports pour la Sobriété Energétique et l’Environnement (EASEE)En 2020, l’UAF & FA a mis en place une nouvelle initiative, en partenariat avec Eco CO2 3, visant à permettre aux petits aéroports en France de surmonter les obstacles à leur engagement dans l’action climatique.  Les partenaires ont reconnu que la gestion carbone dans les aéroports nécessitait des ressources importantes, tant financières que humaines, ce qui limitait souvent la capacité des petits aéroports à s’engager en faveur de la décarbonation. Le nouveau projet, dénommé EASEE (Engagements des Aéroports pour la Sobriété Energétique et l’Environnement), fournit un accompagnement technique et financier sur mesure par le biais d’un mécanisme public (le dispositif Certificats d’Economies d’Energie) – permettant ainsi directement aux aéroports d’être accrédités au sein de l’Airport Carbon Accréditation, quelles que soient leur taille ou leurs capacités financières.Depuis sa création, le projet EASEE qui regroupe 73 aéroports a aidé 36 aéroports en France à obtenir la certification Airport Carbon Accreditation, et 374 aéroports supplémentaires devraient être certifiés dans les mois à venir.  A terme, cela devrait porter à 89 le nombre total d’aéroports français participant à l’Airport Carbon Accreditation.  Le projet EASEE reste la seule initiative de ce type à l’échelle mondiale accompagnant les aéroports dans leur parcours vers des opérations sans carbone et une meilleure performance énergétique et environnementale.  Il a été chaleureusement accueilli par l’ACI EUROPE, propriétaire de l’Airport Carbon Accreditation et partenaire de longue date de l’UAF & FA dans ses efforts environnementaux. Olivier Jankovec, Directeur Général de l’ACI EUROPE, a déclaré : « L’ampleur de l’engagement des aéroports français dans la transformation en cours de notre industrie est énorme. 63 aéroports (et ce n’est pas fini!) réduisent maintenant leurs émissions de CO2 et beaucoup travaillent avec leurs partenaires de l’écosystème aéroportuaire pour enclencher également les réductions de CO2 des autres acteurs de la plateforme. Je tiens à féliciter toutes les équipes aéroportuaires qui travaillent d’arrache-pied pour réduire leurs émissions tout en fournissant la connectivité indispensable aux villes et régions françaises. »Il a ajouté : « l’UAF & FA avec son initiative unique s’attaquant à tous les obstacles entravant le chemin de la décarbonation des aéroports et les actions concrètes en faveur du climat donne un exemple à suivre. Je me félicite de cette coopération et de son potentiel pour permettre une décarbonation plus rapide des aéroports. "
 
1 Limoges, Martinique Aimé Césaire, Le Havre-Octeville and Ancenis Aéroports
2 Nantes Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire Montoir, Montpellier-Méditerranée, Grenoble, Rennes and Chambéry Aéroports
4 Ce chiffre comprend à la fois les aéroports rejoignant pour la première fois l’Airport Carbon Accreditation et les aéroports visant un niveau d’accréditation supérieur.
 
 
French airports leading the way in climate action
 

Out of 425 airports addressing their carbon emissions within the global Airport Carbon Accreditation, 63 are French. Upgrades to higher levels confirm their pole position in airport climate action.

25 November 2022 – On the occasion of the 4th annual conference for French and Francophone airports organised by Union des Aéroports Français & Francophones Associés (UAF & FA), ACI is today highlighting the French airport industry’s decarbonisation achievements within the global carbon standard for airports, Airport Carbon Accreditation.France - a leader in airport climate actionOn the global stage, and out of 86 countries represented in Airport Carbon Accreditation, France has gathered by far the biggest community of climate smart airports. The 63 French airports currently actively addressing their carbon emissions in Airport Carbon Accreditation constitute almost 30% of the total number of accredited airports in Europe (219), and 15% globally (425). These numbers speak volumes of the determination of the French airport community to rid their operations of negative externalities for the climate.This climate drive is also reflected in the accreditation levels currently held by French airports. A clear majority of them, 46, have been certified for achieving tangible CO2 reductions, from Level 2 up to the highest levels of the programme. French airports keep on raising the bar for deeper business transformation and reaching more ambitious levels of the programme. Since the beginning of Q4 2022, 4 airports upgraded to Level 21, 6 airports upgraded to Level 32, whilst the highest levels, Level 4 and 4+, were achieved by Marseille Provence Airport and Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport respectively.The two busiest networks of airports in France are at the highest levels of the programme - Groupe ADP operating Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly airports at Level 4 ‘Transformation’ and Côte d’Azur Airports operating Nice and Cannes airports, having achieved across-the-board Level 4+ ‘Transition’ accreditation. In addition, the homegrown French airport operator turned global leader - VINCI Airports has achieved Airport Carbon Accreditation for every airport within its network, as part of its AirPact environmental strategy. The global pandemic didn’t manage to break the momentum for airport climate action in France, in spite of the unprecedented shock it constituted for the aviation industry. Since 1 March 2020, when COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic, 22 French airports joined the programme for the first time and 25 achieved accreditation at a higher level than previously.  Carbon management made EASEEIn 2020, UAF & FA set up a new initiative in partnership with Eco CO23  aimed at removing hurdles for smaller regional airports in France to get on board with climate action. The partners recognised that comprehensive carbon management at airports required significant resources, both financial and staffing, often limiting smaller airports’ ability to act upon their commitment to decarbonisation. The new project, called EASEE (Engagements des Aéroports pour la Sobriété Energétique et l’Environnement), provides technical support, tailor-made guidance and financing through a public mechanism (“Certificats d'économies d'énergie”) – thus directly empowering airports to become accredited within Airport Carbon Accreditation, no matter their size or financial capabilities.Since its inception, EASEE has supported 36 airports in France to get certified under Airport Carbon Accreditation, with an additional 374 airports expected to become certified in the coming months. This is set to bring the total number of French airports participating in Airport Carbon Accreditation to 89. EASEE remains the only such initiative on the global scale accompanying airports on their journey to carbon-free operations and improved energy and environmental performance. It has been warmly welcomed by ACI EUROPE, the owner of Airport Carbon Accreditation and a long-standing partner for UAF & FA in their environmental endeavours.Olivier Jankovec, ACI EUROPE Director General said: “The sheer scale of French airports’ engagement in the ongoing transformation of our industry is tremendous. 63 airports (and counting!) are now reducing CO2 and with many working with their airport communities to also trigger third party reductions along the wider aviation eco-system. I would like to congratulate the teams hard at work to achieve emissions reductions whilst delivering the much needed connectivity to French cities and regions.”He added: “UAF & FA with their unique initiative tackling all obstacles on the way for airports to engage in concrete climate action are setting an example for others to follow. I am grateful for this cooperation and its potential to unlock faster decarbonisation.” 

 

1 Limoges, Martinique Aimé Césaire, Le Havre-Octeville and Ancenis airports
2 Nantes Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire Montoir, Montpellier-Méditerranée, Grenoble, Rennes and Chambéry airports
4 This number comprises airports joining Airport Carbon Accreditation for the first time and those pursuing higher levels of accreditation

Airports step up climate efforts in line with the Paris Agreement

10 November 2022

5 more airports upgrade to the highest levels of Airport Carbon Accreditation as COP27 unfolds, showcasing the unwavering climate ambition of the industry

10 November 2022 – As the landmark UN climate summit, COP27, is underway in Sharm El Sheikh, ACI has today announced the latest developments in its Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, highlighting the advances made by the global airport community to address the climate emergency.

Airport climate action – continuously raising the bar

Against the background of climate impact worsening, and the window of a +1.5°C world rapidly closing, the focus is more than ever on moving from commitment to concrete and tangible action. The airport industry has been working tirelessly to reduce its carbon emissions through Airport Carbon Accreditation since 2009 – delivering concrete reductions of emissions under their direct control year after year, as well as engaging with their business partners to foster carbon reductions by third parties active within their premises.

In 2020, noting the increased need for deeper carbon cuts and in step with the rising ambition of airports around the world expressed in the industry’s commitments to Net Zero by 20501, ACI launched the first major, structural change to the programme since its inception: two new accreditation levels - Level 4 Transformation and Level 4+ Transition crucially linking airports’ climate efforts with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

The introduction of these two new levels marked a shift in the ambition level of the programme, by setting out further obligations for accredited airports to formulate a long-term climate objective in line with the 1.5°C or 2°C pathways outlined by the IPCC, and defining a concrete plan to achieve it, including interim milestones to measure progress and take stock of the realised CO2 curbs. The two new levels have also gone beyond focusing on absolute emissions reductions of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by requiring airports to map carbon emissions from an extended number of sources and establish formal partnerships with companies active at their sites to guide and help them in decarbonising.

Since the launch of the two new levels, 43 airports around the world, including major hubs and regional airports alike, have already embraced their ambition. A total of 20 airports have achieved Transformation (Level 4) and 23 airports upgraded to Transition (Level 4+). Today, another five airports have met all the stringent requirements to receive these accolades. Level 4+ was achieved by London City (United Kingdom) and Lyon (France) airports, while San Francisco International (United States), Marseille Provence (France) and Zurich (Switzerland) airports secured Level 4.

Receiving praise from the UNFCCC

Airports’ extensive climate efforts within the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme have been applauded by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Niclas Svenningsen, UNFCCC Manager, Outreach said: “To achieve the deep transformation needed for sustainable development and stabilisation of global temperature, we must require commitments and participation from all sectors and levels of society. I commend airports for their continued efforts to map and reduce their CO2 emissions year by year, as well as to engage their business partners in this endeavour. The Airport Carbon Accreditation programme is evolving in step with the level of urgency to act now for our climate. Having introduced two new more ambitious levels aligned with the ambition of the Paris Agreement and seeing almost fifty major airports around the world embracing them, airports are sending a strong signal to other parts of the economy to follow with ambitious climate action today.”

1 ACI EUROPE Press Release, 26 June 2019: Europe's airport industry commits to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050ACI World Press Release, 8 June 2021: Net zero by 2050: ACI sets global long term carbon goal for airports

 

ANNEX I – ACCREDITATION UPDATE

With more than 400 airports actively addressing their emissions at one of the six available levels, the programme keeps expanding in all world regions, bringing new airports on board with carbon management. The latest entries include: Maastricht Aachen Airport in the Netherlands (Level 2), Ängelholm Helsingborg Airport in Sweden (Level 3+), Aurillac-Tronquières Airport (Level 2) and Le Puy-en-Velay Loudes Airport (Level 2) in France and three Brazilian airports: Florianópolis Hercílio Luz, Vitoria International and Macaé - Joaquim de Azevedo Mancebo all joining at Level 1.

The momentum for airport climate action can also be measured through upgrades achieved at the initial levels of the framework. Aberdeen Airport in Scotland upgraded to Level 3+ ‘Neutrality’. Saint-Nazaire Montoir and Nantes Atlantique airports in France have met the demands of Level 3 ‘Optimisation’, as did Aguascalientes Airport (Level 3) in Mexico. Level 2 ‘Reduction’ was achieved by La Rochelle, Ancenis, Le Havre-Octeville and Limoges airports in France, while in Latin America and the Caribbean, Martinique Aimé Césaire, and three Mexican airports: Hermosillo, Tijuana and Los Mochis are now actively reducing their emissions at this level.

 

ANNEX II – LIST OF LEVEL 4/4+ ACCREDITED AIRPORTS - download here

 

Groupe ADP steps up climate action at Paris-CDG, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget

07 November 2022

Three Parisian airports in Groupe ADP's international network are now transforming their operations to allow deeper CO2 emissions cuts in alignment with the ambition of the Paris Agreement. Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget airports have successfully upgraded to Level 4 'Transformation' of Airport Carbon Accreditation, bolstering climate action in and around the three key airport sites for the French capital. 

At this recently introduced level, airports are required to set up a long-term absolute carbon emissions reduction target, aligned with the IPCC 1.5°C or 2°C pathways, as well as strengthening their stakeholder engagement to achieve carbon reductions across the entire airport site. The commitment to absolute emissions reductions needed at this level is a major step on the trajectory to reaching net zero emissions. 

Find out more about carbon management at Paris airports here (in French). 

African airports accelerate action to reduce carbon emissions

24 October 2022

25 airports in Africa now address their emissions within the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, with new entries announced at the ACI Africa/World Annual General Assembly in Marrakesh, Morocco

24 October 2022, Marrakesh, Morocco – As the global community of airport operators and aviation stakeholders gathers in Marrakesh, Morocco for the 2022 ACI Africa/World Annual General Assembly, Airport Carbon Accreditation has today announced new entries and upgrades to higher levels of accreditation achieved – with a particular focus on airports in Africa.

The conference host, the Moroccan Airports Authority (ONDA) has met all the requirements to accredit two more airports within its network: Rabat-Salé Airport and Fès Saïss Airport, both joining the collective airport climate action at Level 1 ‘Mapping’. In addition, the two busiest airports operated by ONDA, Marrakesh Menara Airport and Casablanca Mohammed V Airport, succeeded in upgrading to Level 2 ‘Reduction’ - the level at which airports are required to provide evidence of tangible CO2 reductions of emissions under their direct control.

In Tunisia, Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport operated by TAV Airports joined the programme directly at Level 2 ‘Reduction’, following in the footsteps of Enfidha Hammamet International Airport, the first airport to become accredited in the continent and also the very first to reach Level 3 ‘Optimisation’. At Level 3, airports are not only achieving scope 1 and 2 CO2 reduction but also activating their business partners and stakeholders operating at the airport site to get them involved in measuroing and reducing their own carbon emissions. La Réunion Roland Garros Airport is the only other airport in the African region to ever reach this level of carbon management maturity. There is currently one carbon neutral airport on the continent, Abidjan Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Côte d'Ivoire.

In total, 25 African airports1 in 13 countries are currently addressing their carbon emissions at one of the six levels available through the Airport Carbon Accreditation framework. They jointly cover more than 40% of African air passenger traffic (as per 2019 traffic levels).  

Ali Tounsi, Secretary General of ACI Africa, said: “I am delighted to witness more and more African airports joining the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme and progressing to its higher levels. These achievements show that airports in the region are already contributing in very tangible ways to ICAO’s Long Term Aspirational Goal of net zero CO2 for international aviation by 2050 – as they are addressing and eliminating emissions under their own control, while also increasingly working with businesses operating at their premises to influence further CO2 reductions. Today we celebrate the achievements of the carbon accredited airports and encourage all African airports to join the momentum.”

Global results  

Airport Carbon Accreditation has seen an unprecedented growth in new accreditations in the past two years, despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing crises. Globally, there are now 420 accredited airports, with the regional breakdown as follows: Africa (25), Asia-Pacific (65), Europe (214), Latin America & the Caribbean (57) and North America (59). Carbon accredited airports cover almost half of the world air passenger traffic, at 49.4% (as per pre-pandemic traffic levels).

 

1 View the full list of accredited airports in the region here: https://airportco2.org/airports-across-the-world.html#region-africa

San Diego International Airport reaches the highest level of Airport Carbon Accreditation!

10 October 2022

San Diego International Airport (SAN) in the US has achieved the highest level of certification within Airport Carbon Accreditation – Level 4+ ‘Transition.’

The airport achieved this certification through a series of programs that have increased the use of carbon-free electricity and all-electric vehicles, facilitated carbon-emission reductions by airline and rideshare partners, and enabled carbon-offset purchases by our passengers, among other efforts.

SAN is one of only three North American airports to achieve Level 4+ ‘Transition’ certification and the only airport in California to reach the milestone. To achieve Level 4+, SAN has demonstrated that it continues to reduce carbon emissions under its direct control (i.e. emissions from building energy use and fleet vehicles), is on a trajectory to meet international Net Zero emission targets through implementation of its carbon management plan, has offset its remaining direct carbon emissions, and has effectively partnered with tenants responsible for Scope 3 emissions at the airport.

Find out more here. 

Ireland West Airport Knock joins Airport Carbon Accreditation!

10 October 2022

Ireland West Airport Knock has met all the necessary requirements to join the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme! The airport has been recognised for their actions to address carbon emissions from operations they oversee with a Level 1 'Mapping' certificate. Congratulations! 

Read more here. 

Madinah Airport becomes the first airport in Saudi Arabia to reach Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2

06 October 2022

Tibah Airports Operation Co, the operator of Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah (PMIA), has achieved Level 2 'Reduction' of Airport Carbon Accreditation, as the first airport to achieve this level in Saudi Arabia. It is a testament to Tibah's commitment to meeting sustainable development requirements and objectives, as well as its determination to implement the necessary operational programs at PMIA aimed at reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment through the application of international standards and global best practices. It is aligned with Saudi Arabia's vision for sustainable development and its goal of achieving carbon neutrality (zero net carbon emissions) by 2060 as part of the Saudi Green Initiative.

This achievement is part of Tibah’s efforts to preserve the environment and to comply with ISO14001 requirements for Environment Management System (EMS) and ISO 9001 requirements for Quality Management System (QMS).

Find out more here. 

Sarajevo International Airport joins Airport Carbon Accreditation

05 October 2022

Sarajevo International Airport joins Airport Carbon Accreditation as the first airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The airport was recognised for producing a comprehensive inventory of its carbon emissions and committing to reducing them! 

We look forward to your progression within the global carbon standard for airports all the way to decarbonised airport operations! 

Vilnius Airport achieves Level 3 of Airport Carbon Accreditation programme

05 October 2022

All three Lithuanian Airports are moving to a new level of the programme at the same time - Vilnius Airport, which has been participating in the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme since 2016, is moving from the second to the third level of the programme - Level 3 'Optimisation', while Kaunas and Palanga airports, which have joined in 2019, are moving to the second level 'Reduction'. 

Moving into the third level of the programme, Vilnius Airport will aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% by 2024, or to achieve a reduction of approximately 1 kg of CO2 per passenger.  In addition, this phase will require efforts not only to introduce more sustainable processes in its own operations, but also to involve the airport's partners. It will take into account third party airport operations, tenants' electricity and heating costs, waste disposal and other aspects. 

Find out more here. 

6 Dominican airports upgrade to Level 3 'Optimisation'

04 October 2022

We are delighted to confirm that all six airports operated by VINCI Airports/AERODOM in the Dominican Republic (Las Americas in Santo Domingo, President Dr. Joaquín Balaguer, in North Santo Domingo, Gregorio Luperón, in Puerto Plata, María Montez, in Barahona, President Juan Bosch in the province of Samaná; as well as the Arroyo Barril aerodrome), received an early upgrade to Level 3 of Airport Carbon Accreditation in recognition of their CO2-reducing efforts. 

The airports are leaders in managing their greenhouse gas emissions in the region with pioneering solar plant projects deployed at all six platforms. 

Find out more here. 

41 North American Airports Recognized for Airport Carbon Accreditation

04 October 2022

Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, recognised 41 North American airports to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation during the 2022 ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition. 

During the ceremony on September 19, 2022, Ottawa International Airport was recognised as the latest North American airport to achieve carbon neutral status through the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. Toronto Pearson International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were recognised for achieving transformational accreditation toward absolute emissions reduction. San Diego International Airport and Vancouver International Airport join Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to achieve the highest level of Airport Carbon Accreditation by offsetting their carbon emissions.

“As an ambitious industry, airports are doing their part to be good partners by promoting sustainability and environmentally responsible practices,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “I applaud all of these North American airports that have joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program to lower their carbon footprint. I look forward to the growth in the program as these airports set our industry on a path toward continued success in innovation and sustainability.”

Since ACI-NA joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program in 2014, nearly 60 North American airports have attained accreditation. As part of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports commit to reducing their emissions by making investments in heating and lighting efficiency technology, electric, hybrid or gas-powered vehicles, public transport incentive schemes, less corporate travel, and stakeholder engagement to encourage further emissions reductions. Airport Carbon Accreditation provides a unique common framework and tool for active carbon management at airports with measurable results. There are six levels of the program, covering mapping, reduction, optimisation, neutrality, transformation, and transition.

At the mapping level, airports determine emissions sources within the operational boundary of the airport company and calculate the annual carbon emissions. They compile a carbon footprint report and engage an independent third-party to verify the report. For 2022, 10 airports joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program at Level 1 Mapping, including Albany International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Oakland International Airport, Stinson Municipal Airport, and YYC Calgary International Airport. Seven airports have been renewed at Level 1, including Edmonton International Airport, Fredericton International Airport, Regina International Airport, Saint John Airport, San Antonio International Airport, Saskatoon International Airport, and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

At the Level 2 ‘Reduction’, airports provide evidence of effective carbon management procedures and show that reduction targets have been achieved. For 2022, seven airports have been upgraded at Level 2, including Kelowna International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Indianapolis Airport Authority’s Hendricks County Airport-Gordon Graham Field, Downtown Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Indianapolis Regional Airport, Metropolitan Airport. Five airports have been renewed at Level 2, including Charlottetown Airport, Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport, Honolulu-Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport, and Victoria International Airport.

At the Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ level, airports widen the scope of carbon footprint to include third party emissions and engage third parties at and around the airport. For 2022, Dallas Love Field Airport upgraded at Level 3. Five airports are also being recognized for their renewal at Level 3, including Indianapolis International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and Van Nuys Airport.

At Level 3+ ‘Neutrality’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to compensate for their remaining carbon emissions that cannot be reduced by other means by offsetting. For 2022, Ottawa International Airport has been recognised as the newest carbon neutral airport in North America. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has also renewed at Level 3+.

At Level 4 ‘Transformation’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation airports are required to set out a policy commitment to absolute emissions reduction. For 2022, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport upgraded to Level 4.

At Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to compensate for their remaining carbon emissions by offsetting. For 2022, San Diego International Airport and Vancouver International Airport upgraded to Level 4+.

View the latest results in North America here: Accredited airports in North America. 

 

Venezia Airport is scaling new heights!

05 September 2022

The city of Venice in Italy continues to reinvent itself as the capital for sustainable tourism. Its main gateway to the world, Venezia Airport, is championing this positive trend!

The airport's top grade CO2 management has just won an upgrade to the highest level of Airport Carbon Accreditation, Level 4+ 'Transition'! Find out more about Venezia Airport's environmental work here: VeneziaAirport Ambiente.

Queen Alia International Airport Becomes First in Middle East to Achieve Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation

06 July 2022

Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) operated by Airport International Group has become the first in the Middle East, the second in the ACI Asia-Pacific region and one of only 21 airports worldwide to achieve Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. 

QAIA was awarded the certificate following a rigorous review of its carbon management processes, which affirmed alignment with global climate goals to reach a net-zero carbon status by 2050, in addition to its establishment of a road map to reduce CO2 emissions from fuel and electricity consumption and the ongoing responsible compensation of residual CO2 emissions under its control - per the global airport industry’s response to climate change.

TAV Airports' Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport joins the programme

30 June 2022

TAV Airports has successfully accredited another airport in its international network. Gazipaşa-Alanya Airport in Turkey is now actively addressing its CO2 emissions at Level 1 'Mapping' of Airport Carbon Accreditation. Congratulations!

European airports make great strides within Airport Carbon Accreditation

28 June 2022

At their 32nd Annual Congress & General Assembly last week, ACI EUROPE announced the latest upgrades and new accreditations achieved by European airports. A number of these newly upgraded and accredited airports joined a dedicated Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate ceremony on stage.

As the only global programme for reducing airport emissions and the progress made by airports under Airport Carbon Accreditation - the global standard and programme for carbon management at airports - is perhaps the fullest picture of all of airports’ commitment to decarbonisation.

ACI EUROPE announced that eight airports have met all the stringent requirements to become accredited at the highest level of the programme, Level 4+ Transition. From small regional airports in remote Lapland to the busiest airports in the UK and the Netherlands, the eight newcomers to this highest level have fully aligned their carbon management with the Paris Agreement and established effective partnerships with companies operating within their grounds to reduce emissions. The ground is now ready at London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Eindhoven, Helsinki and 4 Lapland Airports (Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Kuusamo and Ivalo) to further accelerate decarbonisation of their own operations and their partners in line with their commitment to net zero aviation.

The momentum for climate action among European airports is also visible in the surge in new accreditations and upgrades to higher levels. In the past month, five European airports became accredited for the first time. These climate smart airports are: Ibiza in Spain, Carcassonne, Perpignan Rivesaltes, Béziers Cap d'Agde and Pau Pyrenees in France. The latest upgrades were made by Bulgaria’s Sofia (Level 3), Turkey’s Istanbul (Level 3), Spain’s Palma de Mallorca, Alicante Elche and Menorca (Level 2 and 3) and France’s Poitiers Biard and Bordeaux Mérignac (both at Level 2).

Congratulations to all the airports going the extra mile to limit their impact on the climate! 

 

Istanbul Airport moves up two levels of Airport Carbon Accreditation

03 June 2022

iGA Istanbul Airport has achieved a great success by raising their Airport Carbon Accreditation level to to Level 3 'Optimisation' all the way from Level 1 'Mapping'.  In line with the stringent requirements of Level 3 certification, the airport has included its scope 3 emissions from the entire airport ecosystem in its carbon management activities.

In order to reduce carbon emissions at İGA Istanbul Airport, remote monitoring and control using IoT (Internet of Things) Technology, monitoring of energy consumption using energy efficiency analysis system software, management of energy from one centre, mechanical automation system applications, and efficient winter cooling practices, actions were taken to reduce carbon emissions, and stakeholder management activities and training programs, and awareness-raising programs have been carried out for all airport employees.

Aiming to reduce carbon emissions, İGA Istanbul Airport continues to meet the requirements of ISO 14064:2018 Greenhouse Gas Calculation and Verification Management System Standard and Airport Carbon Accreditation in order to calculate and report greenhouse gas emissions. İGA Istanbul Airport plans to implement ISO 14064:2018 Greenhouse Gases and Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4 'Transformation' certifications in the next two years.

Find out more about İGA Istanbul Airport's sustainability efforts here. 

Brazil's Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport becomes accredited for the first time!

20 May 2022

Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport, operated by Infraero Brasil, joins the collective climate action movement of airports within Airport Carbon Accreditation!

Santos Dumont Airport took the first step towards comprehensive carbon management by securing Level 1 'Mapping' of the programme. This level is achieved through meticulous analysis of CO2 emissions at the airport site and establishing a plan to reduce them.

Learn more about their commitment and actions here (in Portuguese). 

Bulgaria's Sofia Airport achieves Level 3 'Optimisation'

19 May 2022

Sofia Airport's carbon management has achieved an upgrade to Level 3 'Optimisation' within Airport Carbon Accreditation as the first in Bulgaria. This achievement recognises the airport's enhanced CO2-reducing initiatives including working with third parties to influence their climate efforts. 

Find out more about Sofia Airport's carbon management here.  

Libreville Léon M'ba Airport renews at Level 2!

16 May 2022

Congratulations to Libreville Léon M'ba International Airport for having successfully renewed their Level 2 'Reduction' of Airport Carbon Accreditation.

Libreville Airport in Gabon is actively reducing its CO2 emissions within the programme since 2015!

12 more European airports align their operations with the highest decarbonisation standards

09 May 2022

Basel-Mulhouse airport in France/Switzerland, 9 airports in Portugal including Lisbon, and Stockholm Arlanda and Göteborg Landvetter airports in Sweden upgrade to the highest levels of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme

09 May 2022 – The global carbon standard for airports, Airport Carbon Accreditation, has today announced that 12 more airports in Europe have aligned their operational reality with global climate goals. Basel-Mulhouse Airport in France/Switzerland, Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, Faro, Flores, Porto Santo, Horta, Santa Maria, Ponta Delgada airports in Portugal, and Stockholm Arlanda and Göteborg Landvetter airports in Sweden have secured upgrades to Levels 4/4+ of the programme. They join a tight list of 14 early adopters globally1, airports that have already made this crucial step enabling deeper carbon cuts since the addition of the new levels in 2020.

Achieving Transformation and Transition

The recently introduced Levels 4 and 4+ of Airport Carbon Accreditation come with a set of stringent requirements. These include alignment of an airport’s carbon management with the Paris Agreement, inclusion of additional emissions sources in an airport’s carbon footprint, notably covering all significant operational emissions from third parties including airlines, and enhanced stakeholder engagement geared towards effective partnerships to deliver emissions reductions.

Requiring airports to align their carbon management strategies and plans with the ambition of the Paris Agreement, according to which global warming should be limited to below 2⁰C and ideally 1.5⁰C, means that airports must define their reduction targets and associated emissions pathways accordingly.

Swedish airports upgrade to Level 4+ ‘Transition’  

Sweden’s two busiest airports, owned and operated by Swedavia, achieved the highest level of the global carbon standard for airports, Level 4+ ‘Transition’. Their accreditation builds on one of the strongest track records of airport climate action in the programme’s history: Stockholm Arlanda Airport was among the 17 pioneering airports which joined Airport Carbon Accreditation in its first year back in 2009. Göteborg Landvetter Airport came on board with the programme just one year later. Notably, both airports joined directly at the then highest level of the framework, Level 3+ ‘Neutrality‘, demonstrating an exceptional level of climate management maturity right from the start.

All Swedavia airports have been operating fossil-free as of 2020, becoming de facto Net Zero carbon emissions for all their operations – a worldwide first. Swedavia has now mapped out the next steps in their commitment to climate change, by supporting other companies and organisations at its airports in their own transformations. Airport Carbon Accreditation provides this additional dimension within the programme framework; as part of Level 4/4+ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to develop a comprehensive Stakeholder Partnership Plan with the aim of motivating airport business partners and third parties active at the airport site to reduce their carbon emissions. One of the initiatives put forward by Swedavia’s airports in support of this was the introduction on 1 January 2022 of an incentive for all stakeholders active at Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport to start refuelling HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), fossil-free diesel. The goal is now for all ground operations at every Swedavia airport to be fossil-free by 2025.

Basel-Mulhouse Airport moves to Level 4 ‘Transformation’

Basel-Mulhouse Airport has met all the necessary requirements to upgrade to Level 4 ‘Transformation’, having first joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation at Level 2 back in 2018.

In order to reduce CO2 emissions, EuroAirport, the company operating Basel-Mulhouse airport, is acting on two complementary levels. On the one hand, it is reducing its own CO2 emissions with a binding target. In October 2021, EuroAirport decided to set the Net Zero emissions target for its own infrastructure as early as 2030, instead of 2050. In order to achieve this, the airport is implementing a number of initiatives, such as the purchase of 100% green electricity, the replacement of the airport’s vehicle fleet with electric transportation and the gradual connection of the airport to an existing biomass powered district heating network.

On the other hand, the airport is also committed to reducing emissions across the entire platform in cooperation with its partners. Projects feeding into this goal include the future rail connection to the airport and a cross-company mobility plan that is supported by the French Government.

9 airports in Portugal achieve Level 4 ‘Transformation’

Understanding that climate change represents a global security challenge for humanity, ANA|VINCI Airports  proceeded to develop a rigorous framework to reduce its carbon emissions and to promote the decarbonisation of the broader aviation sector. The climate emergency is the key motivator for the group to accelerate their actions and to work collectively with partners to achieve better environmental results.

Up until now, the 9 Portuguese airports operated by ANA|VINCI Airports have been accredited at Level 2 ‘Reduction’. As a result of great commitment and an ambitious and global environment policy deployed across the entire VINCI Airports network, it was possible for them to upgrade by two levels and secure Level 4. This new level of accreditation means that ANA|VINCI Airports are actively reducing their CO2 emissions, through initiatives such as: 100% renewable electricity, fleet electrification and LED deployment, and forging effective partnerships to secure absolute emissions reductions across the airports’ sites.

To this effect, in June 2021, ANA|VINCI Airports launched the Stakeholders Carbon Forum in order to work with the main partners that operate at their premises to achieve an overall reduction of carbon footprint. The Forum is the main platform of collaboration between the airports and their partners, including airlines, handlers, major energy consumers and entities linked to mobility, such as city councils and transport companies. From this vast variety of stakeholders, dedicated working groups were created to define partnership plans focused on climate change and carbon management. ANA|VINCI Airports assume booster role in this process, in line with their firm belief that only joining efforts and sharing a collaborative path will enable faster and more significant results towards positive mobility.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, said: “I am delighted to witness more and more airports reach the two highest levels of Airport Carbon Accreditation. These achievements mean that airports are not only committed to addressing and eliminating emissions under their own control, but that they also embrace their role as catalysts for climate action across their entire sites. Airports are uniquely placed within the air transport eco-system, acting as the industry’s representation on the ground, connecting a global industry to the local communities they serve. This unique position makes it part of their DNA to serve as platforms for greener, smarter, more climate-friendly operations and solutions. I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate all twelve airports on their excellent results.”

1 Full list of Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4/4+ airports