102 airports in 4 continents now actively addressing their CO2 emissions

Following an industry commitment to reduce its carbon emissions, made 6 years ago and the launch, 5 years ago of the carbon management standard Airport Carbon Accreditation, European airport trade body ACI EUROPE today reported on the industry’s progress, during its 24th Annual Congress in Frankfurt.

Critical mass achieved

The institutionally endorsed¹ programmeindependently assesses² and recognises airports’ efforts to manage and reduce their CO2 emissions. It certifies airports at 4 different levels of accreditation (Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation and Neutrality). In the past twelve months, Airport Carbon Accredited status has been earned by a total of 102 airports in Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

All the airports now certified by Airport Carbon Accreditation collectively represent 23.6% of global air passenger traffic. In the past year they have achieved a net reduction of 133,599 tonnes of CO2 from the emissions under their direct and indirect control. This result represents an average 5.98% reduction across all the airports in the programme.

Major success in Europe

The programme’s success in Europe is evident in the fact that there are 85 European airports currently certified – from Amsterdam to Zagreb. Collectively, these airports welcome 62.8% of European passenger traffic. That list also includes 16 airports that have achieved carbon neutrality*.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE commented “Many industries talk about their commitments. The airport industry is getting on with the job and delivering genuine, independently-verified carbon reduction year-on-year. Airports are moving up through the levels of the programme, becoming more efficient, less polluting and engaging partners to collaborate on this as well. An increase in terminal square metres or passengers no longer has to mean an increase in CO2 emitted.”

He added “This past year alone, the collective efforts of European airports in the programme yielded a net reduction of 353,842 tonnes of CO2, enough to power 147,781 households for a year. And that’s just last year. We’re 5 years into this, with real momentum. We will keep going – seeking new efficiencies and innovation to reduce the airport industry’s carbon footprint and also expanding the geographical reach of the programme.”