News about Airport
Carbon Accreditation

Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTHA) in the Netherlands has achieved Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, the only global carbon standard for airports. The successful first-time accreditation at the highest level of the renowned CO2 reduction programme is a worldwide first and a testament to RTHA’s exceptional carbon management strategy, fully aligned with global climate goals.

Attaining Level 4+ represents a step change in the carbon management of an airport, requiring setup of a long-term goal and strategy oriented towards absolute emissions reductions, including an emissions trajectory and interim milestones. RTHA’s actions to realise tangible CO2 emissions reductions of its own emissions are now aligned with the Paris Agreement (global warming limited to below 2°C and ideally 1.5°C). The airport has also included broader emissions in its carbon footprint that include all the significant operational sources on- and off-site. Furthermore, it has demonstrated evidence of actively engaging and leading its stakeholders towards delivering emissions reductions.

Amongst other activities, the airport’s actions include investment in 100% renewable energy powering their terminal and buildings, on-site solar power generation and a new contract for airport vehicles in 2021 with stringent sustainability requirements. The foundation Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport (RHIA) is also working with authorities, business and knowledge institutes to stimulate and trial innovations. Finally, the airport has compensated for residual emissions with CDM GOLD STANDARD credits which will provide clean sustainable electricity to local grid in rural India.

“Level 4+ accreditation is a recognition of our efforts in recent years to weave sustainability into the airport's DNA and into our plans for the future,” said Michelle Samson, Strategy and Sustainability Advisor at RTHA. “As an airport, we want to reduce our impact on the environment and the climate and thus assume our social and environmental responsibility. We have a goal of becoming emission-free for all airport ground operations in 2030 and all land-related activities by 2045. With Level 4+, all steps towards achieving this objective have now been independently assessed and accredited.”

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE said: "We are thrilled to see Rotterdam The Hague Airport becoming the first airport in the world to join Airport Carbon Accreditation directly at the recently introduced Level 4+. This achievement demonstrates the airport’s firm commitment to invest in a more sustainable future for aviation and for the region it serves.”

He added: “By setting the target to reach Net Zero CO2 emissions by 2045 and including third party emissions into the target scope, Rotterdam The Hague Airport is clearly leading the way in working towards decarbonisation. It is also aligning its strategy with the new EU climate goals. This recognition is also a clear signal that, despite the lasting impacts of the ongoing crisis, airports of all sizes are strengthening their commitment to operate in a more sustainable way and to protect their local communities from climate change.’’

LATEST PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENTS

Despite the difficulties faced by the global airport industry, its commitment to fighting climate change remains unchallenged. This is illustrated by the continued growth in Airport Carbon Accreditation participation across the world, most recently tallying 349 accredited airports. The latest airports to join the programme in each region are: • Perth Airport in Australia, Asia-Pacific (Level 1); • Kisumu International Airport, Eldoret International Airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International Airport, Maya Maya International Airport in Kenya, Africa (all Level 1); • Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in France, Milas Bodrum Airport in Turkey, Oostende-Brugge International Airport and Antwerp International Airport in Belgium, Europe (all Level 1); • Trois-Rivières Airport and Fort McMurray International Airport in Canada, North America (all Level 1);• Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Costa Rica, Latin America & Caribbean (Level 2). Progress has also been achieved through airports moving to higher levels of accreditation. For instance, the latest airports to achieve carbon neutrality are Vancouver International Airport in Canada and Dublin Airport in Ireland.

To date, the following airports have achieved the highest levels of Airport Carbon Accreditation: • Level 4 ‘Transformation’: Christchurch Airport in New Zealand• Level 4+ ‘Transition’: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in the US, Indira Gandhi International Airport in India, Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino Airports in Italy, Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands.

Varna and Burgas Airports implemented by Fraport Bulgaria have successfuly upgraded to Level 2 'Reduction' of Airport Carbon Accreditation. Congratulations! 

Find out more about their actions to protect the climate here. 

We are delighted to share the news of Bordeaux Airport's successful accreditation at Level 1 'Mapping' of Airport Carbon Accreditation.

The airport is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2030 through a number of biodiversity, water and waste projects. In order to reach this ambitious goal, it has announced an €8m program of investment in environmental projects as part of its resilience and recovery plans.

Find out more about the airport's environmental work here. 

Kenya Airports Authority achieved Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 1 'Mapping' for Jomo Kenyatta, Moi, Kisumu and Eldoret International Airports as the first in East and Central Africa.

In 2019, KAA launched its going green initiative with a goal of becoming the greenest airport operator in Africa by 2022. The initiative is in line with the authority’s 2018-2022 strategic plan which highlight’s environmental stewardship as one of its main strategic areas with a goal of obtaining ISO 14001-2015: Environmental Management System (EMS) Standard. 

Learn more from their Press Release. 

Costa Rica’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) – also known as Guanacaste Airport, which has been a member of the VINCI Airports network since 2018 – has entered Airport Carbon Accreditation directly reaching Level 2 ‘Reduction’ for its actions to reduce its carbon footprint. 

Learn more in this article (International Airport Review). 

The gateway to the Turkish Riviera, Milas-Bodrum Airport obtained Level 1 ‘Mapping’ certification. It’s the sixth airport in TAV Airports’ portfolio to receive Airport Carbon Accreditation certification, the only institutionally-endorsed, global carbon management programme for airports.

TAV Milas-Bodrum GM Iclal Kayaoglu said “Minimizing the effects of our operations on the environment is a core ambition for us at TAV. We believe that contributing to efforts to counter climate change is our responsibility to future generations. Joining Airport Carbon Accreditation is a significant step in the right direction for Milas-Bodrum Airport, as the programme provides a solid framework to optimize and eventually eliminate emissions. Our aim is to become carbon neutral by 2030 at the latest.”

ACI EUROPE Director General, Olivier Jankovec commented: “The successful accreditation of Milas Bodrum Airport within Airport Carbon Accreditation is a prime example of the airport industry’s unwavering commitment to addressing its emissions through thick and thin. In the midst of a devastating crisis, continued investment in decarbonisation is no small feat. I would like to congratulate everyone at TAV Airports who has had a hand in this excellent achievement. Well done!”

As of May 2021, five other airports operated by TAV are Airport Carbon Accredited. Izmir, Ankara and Antalya airports hold Level 3+ ‘Neutrality’, Enfidha-Hammamet Airport is at Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ and Zagreb Airport at Level 2 ‘Reduction’.

TAV Airports, already part of the ACI Europe initiative to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 has recently committed to become carbon-neutral by 2030, as part of the Groupe ADP “Airports for Trust” covenant announced in January this year.

Italy's “Falcone Borsellino” Palermo International Airport has made a leap forward on the issue of environmental sustainability, obtaining Level 2 'Reduction' of Airport Carbon Accreditation in the most challenging of times for airports.The airport managed to reduce carbon emissions per passenger from 0.71 kg in 2018 to 0.67 kg CO2 in 2019. Their new ambitious target is to reach 0.60 kg of CO2 per passenger by 2023. 

Congratulations on your achievement and well done to everyone involved! 

Aena’s airports engaged in the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme have taken further steps in their commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2026. Two busiest hubs within the Spanish airport network - Madrid and Barcelona - move up a level in carbon management performance. Here is a breakdown of new developments:

- Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airports have upgraded to Level 3 – Optimisation

- César Manrique-Lanzarote, Malaga-Costa del Sol and Palma de Mallorca Airports have renewed at Level 2 - Reduction

- Alicante-Elche, Menorca and Santiago-Rosalía de Castro have renewed at Level 1 – Mapping.

Read their full Press Release (in Spanish) here.

Aeroporti di Roma secures the highest climate accolade available within Airport Carbon Accreditation as it aims for net zero CO2 by 2030

Aeroporti di Roma, the operator of Rome’s Fiumicino and Ciampino airports, has achieved the highest level of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme: Level 4+ “Transition”, the first in Europe to do so.

To achieve this recognition, airports are required to reduce their CO2 emissions in line with global climate goals, to influence other parties active within the airport site to achieve effective reductions, and to compensate for their residual emissions with reliable carbon credits. Only two other airports in the world have achieved this level of carbon management performance so far: Dallas Fort Worth International in the US and Delhi Indira Gandhi International in India, while Christchurch International Airport has reached Level 4 “Transformation”.

Since 2011, after obtaining the first Airport Carbon Accreditation certification, Aeroporti di Roma has continuously reduced carbon emissions under its control and driven broader reductions within the airport system through an engagement plan involving all stakeholders. Rome Fiumicino Airport has been a carbon neutral airport since 2013, and was joined shortly thereafter by Ciampino Airport.

In order to accelerate their progress to reach the objectives of the Paris Agreement and achieve Level 4+, Aeroporti di Roma has set out a plan to eliminate all of its own CO2 emissions and thus achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2030. This ambitious target, when achieved, will set the airports 20 years ahead of the curve on the global climate neutrality objectives.

“This noteworthy recognition testifies to our strong commitment to environmental issues and to our willingness to continue tenaciously on this path, convinced of the need to increasingly integrate sustainability and innovation into our core business.” said the CEO of Aeroporti di Roma, Marco Troncone. “In view of the carbon-intensive nature of the aviation sector and to preserve the connectivity of the future, ADR's strategy is oriented towards the rapid decarbonisation of the airports it manages. In fact, we are aiming to reach zero CO2 emissions by 2030, long in advance of the European references for the sector, with a plan mainly aimed at renewable sources and electric mobility.”

Aeroporti di Roma specifically contributes to the reduction of the overall emissions of the various stakeholders operating at the airport by:• Making Sustainable Aviation Fuel available to airlines by 2024• Promoting electric mobility at the airport, with the installation of 500 charging stations for electric vehicles and completely renewing its own fleet• Building large photovoltaic plants at the airport for a total capacity of 60 MW• Joining the EP-100 of The Climate Group's global initiative on the smarter use of energy, with the ambitious commitment to increase its energy productivity by 150% by 2016.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with Aeroporti di Roma’s excellent achievement! When launching the new levels of Airport Carbon Accreditation last year, amid the direst of crises ever witnessed by the aviation sector, we were propelling an industry-wide ambition that was suddenly stripped of the vital resources to fulfill it. Decarbonisation is an especially costly endeavour for businesses in the so-called “hard-to-abate” sectors, of which aviation is a prime example. Moving past these challenges and reaching the highest level of Airport Carbon Accreditation at this time is an exceptional achievement on the part of Rome Airports. I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate and thank each person involved in this success.

He added: “The track record of our members, and our industry, illustrates that we lead the way in the airport decarbonisation worldwide. Through the ongoing ambition of our Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, further enhanced through the introduction of two new accreditation levels, our close involvement in the European aviation sector’s recent Destination 2050 roadmap, and our call for the EU to join us in a Pact for Sustainable Aviation this year, we continue to strive towards our climate goals in tangible and actionable ways. Our ambition remains undimmed.”

Hawke’s Bay Airport is taking big strides on its path to sustainability, becoming the first regional airport in New Zealand to gain a Level 2 certification under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.

Learn more (Press Release in PDF) here. 

Istanbul Airport, standing out with its state of the art technology and being an important global hub and a 5-star airport, has joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, achieving Level 1 “Mapping” accreditation.As Turkey's gateway to the world, Istanbul Airport was awarded an international certificate as a result of its efforts to manage and reduce its carbon footprints as part of its environment and sustainability program. Istanbul Airport, which has fulfilled its obligations within the framework of the Airport Carbon Accreditation commenced by Airport Council International Europe in 2009, has obtained a Level 1 ‘Mapping’ carbon management certificate, thereby joining the global community of climate-smart airports.Carbon Footprint Management at Istanbul AirportAt Istanbul Airport, where sustainability is at the heart of every operation, works carried in line with sustainability policy from design to the building phase and from the building stage to operation processes stand out. Istanbul Airport aims to reduce carbon emissions. In this regard, Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management Procedure has been re-regulated to make it compatible with the requirements of ISO 14064-1 International Standard for Greenhouse Gas Calculation and Verification Management Systems and Airport Carbon Accreditation programme in order to calculate and report greenhouse gas emissions.Within the frame of the work completed, the sources of the greenhouse gas and the calculation methodologies have been identified at Istanbul Airport. All of the energy consumption data of the airport have been traceable and all of its greenhouse gas emissions have been computable since the date the airport was opened. Istanbul Airport takes actions such as remote monitoring and control, Tracking Energy Consumption via energy efficiency analysis system, Managing Energy From One Center, Mechanic Automation System practices, and efficient winter cooling practices to reduce carbon emissions. Besides, thanks to the greenhouse gas management system working in an integrated way with ISO 50001 Energy Management System, sources of greenhouse gas emissions are effectively-identified, and enhancement efforts are made on essential energy-consumption points. All systems are continuously checked with regular reviews, and sustainability is ensured.The Greenhouse Gas Emission Management System applications at the airport were audited by inspectors approved by Airport Council International, in line with the requirements of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme and Istanbul Airport obtained the "Level One ‘Mapping’ Carbon Management Certificate", which is of importance in the international arena. Level Two and higher-level certificates require a data history of at least three years. Upon fulfilling the requirement of 3 years of data history, we are aiming to continue the Level Three certification process, reduce the total carbon footprint of Istanbul Airport after the three-year period, and take a step for the Level Four certification process.“We are committed to reducing our impact on the climate”Kadri Samsunlu, the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of İGA Airport, who made a statement concerning the work carried directed at the reduction of carbon emissions at Istanbul airport and the "Level One Carbon Emission Certificate" awarded by Airport Council International, said, "The subject of sustainability is at the very heart of all of the processes at Istanbul Airport. While continuing our operations in line with our environmental and sustainability principles, we are also making the utmost effort to protect the balance of the climate. This international certificate, which we have been awarded, is an important indicator of our sensibility on the subject of carbon emissions. We currently do not have a data history of previous years when it comes to the carbon footprint. Therefore, we have been entitled to receive the "Level One Carbon Emission" certificate. But we have a long way to go. I have no doubt that we will receive the certificates of Levels 2, 3, and 4 upon accumulating three years of data history. As İGA, we are determined to minimize our impact on the climate by reducing our carbon footprint at Istanbul Airport. We optimize our energy consumptions which cause greenhouse gases through our effective energy management system and continually improve it through our productivity-related activities. Since its opening, we have accomplished bringing important aviation standards and aviation into life in a short time and our aim is to take the lead in the development and progress of the aviation industry from now on. We will continue our activities as a "climate-smart" airport, within the framework of our environmental and sustainability policies.""Became a reference among the global hubs"ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec said: “It is my pleasure to congratulate Istanbul Airport for achieving Level 1 in Airport Carbon Accreditation "Carbon Resources Mapping! Ever since its opening 2 years ago, Istanbul airport has consistently delivered operational excellence and superior customer service, becoming in no time a reference amongst global hubs. Seeing the airport now joining Airport Carbon Accreditation is part of that drive for excellence – and the fact that this is happening amid the worst crisis ever experienced by the aviation sector should be met with praise. We all know that we cannot wait for the health crisis to abate to address the Climate Emergency. At the same time reducing carbon emissions comes at a cost that cannot be absorbed easily in normal circumstances, not to mention the current financial devastation faced by airports across Europe and beyond. Today’s news of Istanbul Airport's successful accreditation exemplifies the continued commitment to climate action by the airport industry – a commitment that the sector doesn’t take lightly and that shouldn’t be taken for granted.”

334 airports globally actively addressing their carbon emissions within the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme

05 February 2021 - ACI has today published the brand new Airport Carbon Accreditation Interim Report 2019-2020, showcasing the latest results of and developments in the global carbon standard for airports.

Industry commitment intact, but uncertainty is mountingThe Report reveals robust participation growth across all world regions in the pandemic-stricken year, illustrating the extent of airport industry’s readiness to decarbonise in the toughest of conditions. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, 34 airports have become accredited for the first time and another 31 have progressed to a higher level of the programme. This trend is set to remain in 2021, driven by the long-lasting leadership of airports in CO2 management and reduction. However, as the financial situation of airports across the world deteriorates rapidly, the necessary investments to cut carbon are weighed against bare bones survival. This will be a factor of concern for further decarbonisation in the sector and should be considered as one of the grounds for urgent government aid.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, said: “As the industry that has been hardest hit by COVID-19, that will take the longest to recover and that is the hardest to decarbonise, aviation should be a prime beneficiary of State support to continue their work in this regard. The new Airport Carbon Accreditation Interim Report has delivered another case in point for airports’ proven track record on the path to decarbonisation. Even as resources dried up airports kept engaging. However, with the prospect of recovery almost as remote as at the beginning of the crisis, such commitment and engagement cannot be taken for granted. We all know we cannot wait for the health crisis to dissipate to address the accelerating Climate Emergency. Yet at the same time the relentless devastation suffered by the airport sector risks impeding their ability to act and Government help is both vital and urgent.”

Alignment with the Paris Agreement and cooperation with the UNFCCC The Report zooms in on one of last year’s main developments, aligning airport climate action with the ambition of the Paris Agreement. The introduction of two new accreditation levels - Level 4 Transformation and Level 4+ Transition has been documented through in-depth testimonies from the three trailblazing airports who already achieved these levels: Dallas Fort Worth International, Indira Gandhi International and Christchurch International. To further outline the rationale behind the new levels and the stepped up ambition of the programme, ACI has today released a brand new animation.

The programme’s expanded framework providing airports with the tools and knowledge to pursue carbon reductions in line with the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement, following the pathways laid out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has been applauded by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Niclas Svennigsen, who heads the Climate Neutral Now initiative at the UNFCCC Secretariat said: “Airports have been severely hit by the Covid-19 crisis and yet, they are continuing their efforts to decarbonise and align with the global climate targets. Non-stakeholder climate action is an important part of our collective endeavour to cut emissions and limit the disastrous effects of climate change. The climate crisis has not gone on hold while we grapple with the pandemic, therefore we need to move faster and achieve deeper transformation of our industry and economy quicker. I commend airports for their leadership in this regard; a signal that can set an example for others to follow with ambitious climate action.”

View the Airport Carbon Accreditation Interim Report here.

St Helena Airport joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, achieving Level 1 “Mapping” accreditation. St Helena Airport is the first British Overseas Territory airport to join the programme, and it commits the Airport to reduce its emissions, with the ultimate aim of achieving carbon neutrality.

Learn more in their Press Release. 

Oman's Salalah Airport operated by Oman Airports has met all the requirements of Level 3 'Optimisation' and has been certified accordingly by Airport Carbon Accreditation. This successful upgrade is testament to Salalah Airport's active cooperation with its business partners to reduce emissions from its operations across the board! Well done!

Torino Airport, operated by SAGAT S.p.A., has successfully reached the next level of Airport Carbon Accreditation - Level 2 'Reduction'. The Italian gateway has implemented its Carbon Management Plan, which yielded a 10% emissions cut over the three-year period between 2017 and 2019. Congratulations on this excellent achievement! 

Learn more (Press Release in PDF) here. 

Demonstrating the reduction of carbon emissions and confirming its readiness to work sustainably, Riga Airport has been recognised at Level 2 Reduction of Airport Carbon Accreditation. This means that the airport has demonstrated a reduction in carbon emissions relative to the average emissions of the previous three years and has proven its readiness to work sustainably and continue to work purposefully to reduce carbon emissions.

Read more in their Press Release. 

Dublin Airport has become Ireland's first carbon neutral airport! In order to get there, Dublin Airport has introduced many climate solutions aimed at cutting down their energy use and other emission sources. The extensive effort of the entire airport community under the leadership of the airport authority has led to the successful upgrade to Level 3+ 'Neutrality' of Airport Carbon Accreditation. Congratulations! 

Learn more about the initiatives that led to this achievement in their Press Release. 

Serbia's main gateway, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport operated by VINCI Airports has just joined Airport Carbon Accreditation at Level 1 'Mapping. Congratulations! 

This certification is the first result of the new environmental strategy developed in Belgrade airport since it joined VINCI Airports’ network in 2018. By applying ACA certification on all its airports worldwide, VINCI Airports commits to decarbonizing aviation on a global level. The environmental strategy developed at Belgrade airport will also comply with VINCI Airports’ commitments to halve water consumption per passenger, zero pesticide use, zero waste to landfill and halve CO2 gross emissions by 2030 and reach zero net emissions by 2050.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/2Ir1SlC

Christchurch Airport in New Zealand has taken a major step forward in its commitment to fight against climate change, becoming the first airport in the Asia-Pacific region and in the world to reach Level 4 Transformation of Airport Carbon Accreditation. This high achievement is evidence of the airport’s continued efforts to align its carbon management strategy with the global climate goals. It also follows ACI’s recent announcement of the introduction of two further levels of accreditation in its global Airport Carbon Accreditation programme (Level 4 Transformation and Level 4+ Transition) to mark the industry’s ongoing commitment to ‘Build Back Better’.

Christchurch Airport, which was previously accredited at Level 2 Reduction of Airport Carbon Accreditation, has successfully upgraded to Level 4 Transformation, one of the highest levels of accreditation, by taking swift and concrete actions to transform its operations to achieve CO2 emissions reduction in alignment with the Paris Agreement (global warming limited to below 2°C and ideally 1.5°C). To attain this accreditation, Christchurch Airport has also addressed broader emissions in its carbon footprint that include all the significant operational sources on- and off-site. Furthermore, the airport has demonstrated evidence of actively engaging and leading its stakeholders towards delivering emissions reductions.

Speaking of this achievement, Malcolm Johns, CEO Christchurch Airport, commented: ‘’Achieving Level 4 Transformation of Airport Carbon Accreditation is a giant leap for our airport community. We are very proud to be the first airport in New Zealand and in the world to reach this accreditation. As regional airport, we set a good example for our regional peers and for the airport industry as a whole. We show that small is big when you are bold enough to set the bar higher on climate actions and to deliver on ambitious environmental goals. We will continue to work diligently to build a more sustainable aviation in strong cooperation with our business partners.’’

Stefano Baronci, Director General ACI Asia-Pacific, said: ‘’We are thrilled to see Christchurch Airport becoming the first airport in the Asia-Pacific region and in the world accredited at Level 4 Transformation of Airport Carbon Accreditation. This achievement demonstrates the airport’s firm commitment to invest in a more sustainable future for aviation and for the region it serves. Without a doubt, it is a remarkable milestone at a time of unprecedented challenges for aviation. For airports, it is essential to recover from COVID-19 in a more agile and sustainable way and Christchurch Airport is clearly leading the way in working towards decarbonisation. We hope other airports in the region will follow Christchurch Airport’s leadership.’’

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE commented: ‘’Today’s announcement that Christchurch Airport has reached Level 4 Transformation of Airport Carbon Accreditation underlines the airport’s strenuous efforts to decarbonise and to take its climate goals to the next level. We congratulate the airport on its achievement and on its firm steps towards creating a more sustainable journey. This recognition is also a clear signal that, despite the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, airports of all sizes and in various world regions are strengthening their commitment to build back better, to operate in a more sustainable way and to protect their local communities from climate change.’’

Global standard for airport climate action shows increased ambition despite challenge of pandemic

17 November 2020 - ACI has today unveiled two further levels of achievement in its global Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, marking the industry’s determination to ‘Build Back Better’ as it looks towards recovery. 

Introducing Level 4 Transformation and Level 4+ Transition

At ACI EUROPE’s Annual Congress, live-streamed from Brussels Airport, Olivier Jankovec announced the first major, structural change to the programme since its inception in 2009: two new accreditation levels - Level 4 Transformation and Level 4+ Transition. 

The introduction of these two new levels marks a shift in the ambition level of the programme. CO2 emissions reductions and continuous improvements have been at the core of Airport Carbon Accreditation since launch. Level 1 Mapping through to Level 3+ Neutrality do allow for flexibility in the magnitude of reductions achieved. 

By contrast, Levels 4 and 4+ set out further obligations - namely:

• Alignment with the Paris Agreement: 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. These objectives have been translated into emissions reduction scenarios by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and airports will have to define their reduction targets and associated emissions pathways accordingly.
• Extended carbon footprint: additional emissions sources have to be included, notably covering all significant operational emissions from third parties, including airlines.
• Enhanced stakeholder engagement: requirements related to stakeholder engagement are tightened, with effective partnerships oriented towards delivering emissions reductions coming to the fore.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, said: “The Airport Carbon Accreditation programme has always set the bar high in terms of our industry’s leadership and commitment to striving towards measurable change. We do not shy away from the role aviation plays in the climate emergency – it is one of the most difficult of industries to decarbonise. Yet in our connected, global world, working to a new paradigm following the crippling pandemic, our ambition to not only continue but to improve has never mattered more.”

“During the worst of the pandemic, airports around the world continued to achieve accreditation at all levels of the programme. In fact, since last March, 29 airports joined the programme for the first time and a further 22 achieved new levels of accreditation. We’re incredibly proud of their achievements. The introduction of these two further levels sets the bar yet higher. They bring the programme into line with the latest scientific and policy developments of recent years, and quite rightly reflect enhanced public expectations of the societal and environmental role we play. And already, airports are showing themselves able to step up.”

Praise for the programme from UNFCCC

The Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, and the ambition represented by the new levels announced today, has been applauded by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Patricia Espinosa, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, 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. Airports have been severely hit by the Covid-19 crisis and yet, they are continuing their efforts to map and reduce their CO2 emissions year by year, as well as to engage their business partners in this endeavour. The programme went even further this year by introducing two new more ambitious levels, aligned with global climate goals. This is encouraging. I commend airports for this leadership; a signal that can set an example for others to follow with ambitious climate action.”

First accreditations at Level 4+ already achieved

At the ACI EUROPE Annual Congress today, it was announced that two airports have already reached Level 4+, the first in their respective regions to do so. Congratulations go to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in the United States, and to Indira Gandhi International Airport in India for their achievements.

Accepting their certification, Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport said, “This recognition is the latest example of DFW Airport’s commitment to serving our community and our world with a comprehensive, holistic approach to sustainability. We continue to look for innovative and meaningful ways to reduce the Airport’s carbon footprint with mindful and responsible practices and processes. We can and will do more thanks to the focus and hard work of everyone at DFW Airport.”

Mr. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, DIAL, said, “Achievement of the Level 4+ accreditation is a testimony of our commitment towards ensuring sustainable development at IGIA. Going forward, we will continue to develop best in class infrastructure and provide services using innovative and sustainable technologies. With this achievement, we have set up new benchmark for other airports in this region to follow.”

Rebranded programme to reflect today’s ambition – and readiness for tomorrow

To reflect the enhanced Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, ACI EUROPE today unveiled a renewed, fresh branding for the programme. Visually striking and encompassing all the new levels, the family of Level identities works seamlessly across all media and locations. And, with the programme ambition firmly fixed on the ultimate goal of Net Zero CO2 emissions, it’s future proof too – expanding and adapting along with the programme itself.