Airport Carbon Accreditation reaches milestone of 600 accredited airports at COP29 in Baku

December 16, 2024

The COP29 side event co-hosted by ACI EUROPE and Heydar Aliyev International Airport marked a significant milestone for the global airport industry in its commitment to decarbonisation. Over 600 airports worldwide are now actively engaged in CO₂ management through Airport Carbon Accreditation.

At the event, discussions highlighted the increasing ambition among airports worldwide in tackling climate change. Currently, 19 airports have achieved Level 5 certification, reaching net zero emissions for activities under their direct control and actively working towards the full decarbonisation of upstream and downstream emissions by 2050.

The discussions also emphasised the need for greater collaboration between airports, stakeholders, and governments to ensure the long-term sustainability of aviation. While airports are committed to playing their part, achieving the industry’s decarbonisation goals will require robust supportive frameworks at both national and international levels. This theme was further explored during a fireside chat featuring global air transport leaders, including Jane Hupe, Envoy of the ICAO Secretary General to UNFCCC COP, Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World, and Haldane Dodd, Executive Director of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), who discussed the current status and future pathways for aviation decarbonisation.

Delegates who attended COP29 in Baku travelled through Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the first airport in its subregion to join Airport Carbon Accreditation. During the event, a special certification ceremony was held to celebrate the airport’s direct entry at Level 2 Reduction, with Samir Rzayev, President of the airport’s operator AZAL – Azerbaijan Airlines, and Teymur Hasanov, Director of Heydar Aliyev International Airport, receiving the certificate on behalf of the airport.