Annual Report Year 15: Accredited airports globally reduce over one million tonnes of CO₂

April 3, 2025

The Airport Carbon Accreditation Annual Report for Year 15 reveals progress in the decarbonisation efforts of airports around the world. Covering the period from May 2023 to May 2024, the report provides an update on programme participation trends and carbon management performance under the only global, institutionally endorsed carbon standard for airports.

Airports accredited under the programme collectively reduced 1,037,292 tonnes of CO₂, representing a 14.8% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. This is equivalent to powering over 200,000 average households for a year.

By the end of the reporting period, 558 airports across 87 countries were accredited. Of these, 70 airports joined the programme for the first time, and 132 advanced to a higher level of carbon management. With 51.5% of global passenger traffic now passing through accredited airports, the reach of the programme continues to grow.

Regional emissions reductions contributing to the global total were as follows:

• Asia-Pacific & Middle East: –529,421 tonnes of CO₂
• Europe: –278,570 tonnes of CO₂
• North America: –150,184 tonnes of CO₂
• Africa: –48,406 tonnes of CO₂
• Latin America & the Caribbean: –30,710 tonnes of CO₂

These results stem from a broad range of initiatives, including improved energy efficiency, investments in renewable energy, electrification of airport operations, and strengthened collaboration across the airport ecosystem.

Level 5 pioneers

By the close of the reporting year, 15 airports had reached Level 5 accreditation—the highest level of the programme. These pioneering airports have achieved net zero emissions for activities under their direct control and have made a binding commitment to achieve full decarbonisation across all emission scopes by 2050 or earlier.

The full Airport Carbon Accreditation Annual Report Year 15 is now available to read here.