Queen Alia International Airport achieves impressive Optimisation level for Airport Carbon Accreditation programme

Image courtesy of AIG

Airport International Group (AIG) has announced that Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) has completed the third level of Airport Carbon Accreditation, making it the first Middle Eastern airport to do so.

Image courtesy of AIG

Following the airport’s ongoing efforts to improve overall environmental efficiency, QAIA has been officially awarded the ‘Optimisation’ level of accreditation. This was given at the 11th Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Australia. The event recognised a number of international airports and their achievements in carbon reduction under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme – the only institutionally-endorsed carbon management certification.

Journey through Airport Carbon Accreditation

Through the efforts of AIG the airport completed the first Airport Carbon Accreditation level (‘Mapping’) in 2013, where priority areas for carbon reduction were identified. In 2015, QAIA became the first airport in the Middle East to complete the second level (‘Reduction’) after developing a broad scale carbon and energy reduction plan. Under the third level (‘Optimisation’) QAIA engaged its stakeholders in its efforts, involving airlines, ground handling agents, fuel service providers, catering companies and other agents in its carbon reduction plan, achieving a comprehensive approach to carbon management. According to AIG, the airport aims to complete the 3+ level of carbon management accreditation (‘Neutralisation’) in 2018.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to achieve environmental sustainability on all levels, QAIA has made it a priority to prevent pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from airport activities, thereby not only maintaining our commitment toward the local community, but also contributing to the shrinking of Jordan’s overall ecological footprint.” said Kjeld Binger, CEO of AIG.

The Airport Carbon Accreditation programme was first launched by ACI Europe in 2009 and extended to ACI Asia-Pacific in November 2011, gaining the support of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at that time. Providing a model for corporate leadership and responsible business practice in airport carbon emissions management and reduction, Airport Carbon Accreditation is a certification standard aimed at encouraging airports to tackle climate change through carbon management and developing a common framework for reducing their carbon emissions through measurable goal posts.