Salvador Bahia Airport becomes first in Americas to achieve highest level of airport carbon accreditation

Credit: Vinci Airports

Salvador Bahia Airport (SSA) has become the first airport in Brazil and the wider American continent to achieve Level 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, the highest global recognition for airport decarbonisation. The announcement was made by VINCI Airports at COP30 in Belém, two years after the airport first reached Level 5 accreditation at COP28 in Dubai. The certification, granted by Airports Council International, recognises the airport’s achievement of net zero emissions for Scopes 1 and 2 in 2025, as well as its pledge to reach net zero for Scope 3 emissions by 2050 through close collaboration with partners and stakeholders.

The achievement reflects VINCI Airports’ wider commitment to reducing environmental impact across its global portfolio. It highlights the operator’s approach to tackling both direct and indirect emissions by actively engaging suppliers, tenants and airport partners. The milestone is the result of several sustainability actions delivered by teams at Salvador Bahia Airport. These include generating solar power through two photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of 6 MWp, which supply electricity for airport operations and third party cargo facilities. The airport has shifted entirely to renewable energy for its own activities and those of its tenants, replaced gas powered equipment with electric alternatives, and converted its vehicle fleet to electric or biofuel powered models. Regular engagement with stakeholders supports awareness and encourages collective action on emission reduction. Remaining emissions are offset through certified sequestration projects, including a 3,879 hectare reforestation initiative in the Corumbá region of Brazil that also delivers social and economic benefits by creating local employment.

Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of Concessions at VINCI and President of VINCI Airports, said at COP30: “This milestone marks a major step forward on the American continent in the decarbonisation of our airport activities and aviation as a whole. It reflects the outstanding commitment of our teams and our determination to take decisive action across our airports worldwide.”

VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 14 countries and is pursuing a decarbonisation strategy across its entire value chain. Its goal is to achieve net zero emissions for direct activities by 2030 within the European Union and the United Kingdom, and by 2050 in the rest of the world. With 60 airports now accredited and six at Level 5, VINCI Airports is the leading contributor to the global ACA programme.

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