Ten frontrunner airports licensed on the new Degree 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, having achieved web zero for emissions underneath their management and affirmed a strategic dedication to attain decarbonisation throughout all scopes by 2050.
DUBAI – ACI launched the brand new topmost stage of feat in its world Airport Carbon Accreditation programme on the twenty eighth United Nations Local weather Change convention (COP28). This milestone confirms the dedication and readiness of the airport business to ship on its formidable local weather commitments and contribute to the decarbonisation of aviation – totally aligning with the targets outlined within the Paris Settlement.
Introducing Degree 5
On the ATAG1 International Sustainable Aviation Discussion board going down at COP28, Olivier Jankovec, Director Normal of ACI Europe, unveiled the programme’s newest and most formidable but growth: a brand new accreditation stage – Degree 5 – certifying airports for:
- Reaching and sustaining a web zero carbon steadiness for emissions underneath their management (Scope 1 and a pair of), and
- Extending mapping, influencing and reporting necessities for all different emissions (Scope 3).
The introduction of Degree 5 builds on the trajectory of evolution set by the introduction of Ranges 4 and 4+ in 2020. These earlier ranges already certify airports for following a CO2 emissions discount pathway aligned with the target of the Paris Settlement to restrict world warming by 1.5°C/2°C.
Degree 5 thus recognises the final word achievement and maturity in airport carbon administration, based mostly on the next necessities:
- Intensive carbon discount in absolute phrases: To realize Degree 5, airports want to succeed in and keep ≥ 90% absolute CO2 emissions reductions in Scope 1 and a pair of in alignment with the ISO Internet Zero Pointers2 and decide to attaining web zero in Scope 3 by 2050 or sooner.
- Funding in carbon elimination: Any residual emissions must be faraway from the ambiance via funding in credible carbon elimination tasks. To information airports on this endeavour, ACI has analysed the carbon elimination choices obtainable and outlined the simplest elimination methods within the up to date version of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Offset Steering Doc3.
- Institution of a Carbon Administration Plan: Degree 5 accredited airports want to stipulate detailed steps to attain their emissions discount targets, as a part of their Carbon Administration Plan.
- Prolonged carbon footprint: Airports must submit a verified carbon footprint for Scope 1 and a pair of (direct and oblique emissions underneath the airport’s management) and all related classes of Scope 3 (oblique emissions outdoors of the airport’s management) as per the necessities of the GHG Protocol Scope 3 Steering, notably masking all important upstream and downstream actions from third events – together with airways. Following profitable accreditation, Degree 5 airports might want to submit their verified carbon footprint calculations yearly.
- Institution of a Stakeholder Partnership Plan: Underpinning airports’ dedication to web zero in Scope 3, Degree 5 accreditation requires the setup of a Stakeholder Partnership Plan, partaking with the whole airport ecosystem at a a lot deeper stage, and actively driving third events in direction of delivering emissions reductions themselves. The Plan wants to incorporate common milestones to gauge progress in direction of reaching web zero throughout the airport website.
As has been accomplished because the inception of Airport Carbon Accreditation for all accreditation ranges, ACI will preserve the necessities of Degree 5 underneath common overview based mostly on the newest science to make sure their continued robustness.
Olivier Jankovec, Director Normal of ACI Europe, mentioned: “Since its launch again in 2009, Airport Carbon Accreditation has develop into the worldwide normal for carbon administration at airports – with 557 airports licensed throughout 5 continents thus far. Whereas the programme’s necessities and construction have advanced additional time to replicate each science and societal expectations, the launch of Degree 5 at present marks a pivotal shift. The institution of a reference framework for airports attaining and sustaining a net-zero carbon steadiness for emissions underneath their management displays the truth that airports are beginning to ship on their web zero commitments. Crucially, Degree 5 additionally pushes airports to increase their focus past these direct CO2 emissions, by following a complete strategy in measuring their Scope 3 emissions and influencing their discount in direction of web zero by 2050.”
He added: “Degree 5 signifies real enterprise transformation, and I wholeheartedly congratulate the trailblazing airports from the Royal Schiphol Group, Christchurch, VINCI Airports and Swedavia which have pioneered it and met all its stringent necessities.”
The pioneers of Degree 5
On the official COP28 side-event, it was introduced that ten airports have already secured Degree 5 accreditation as a part of the pilot programme that passed off in 2023, testing the feasibility and rigorousness of the brand new framework. The worldwide pioneers who stepped onto the stage to obtain their hard-earned certificates included:
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Eindhoven and Rotterdam-The Hague airports within the Netherlands, operated by the Royal Schiphol Group.
- Beja, Madeira and Ponta Delgada airports in Portugal, operated by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal | VINCI Airports.
- Christchurch Airport in New Zealand, operated by Christchurch Worldwide Airport Ltd.
- Göteborg Landvetter and Malmö airports in Sweden, operated by Swedavia.
- Toulon-Hyères airport in France, operated by VINCI Airports.
Conor Barry, Supervisor of Engagement and Local weather Motion, UNFCCC mentioned: “COP28 is a chance for nations to return collectively and take inventory of the progress made globally to succeed in the formidable targets of the Paris Settlement. Whereas governments concentrate on nationwide approaches, there’s a lot to have fun and commend within the realm of voluntary local weather motion. I commend airports for his or her management in carbon administration, notably by aligning their world carbon normal Airport Carbon Accreditation with the targets set forth by the Paris Settlement, and advancing in line with the rising stage of ambition and deeper understanding of the local weather science. Reaching the profound transformation wanted for sustainable growth and world temperature stabilisation requires commitments and participation from all sectors and ranges of society. My congratulations exit to all ten pioneers of Degree 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation normal who’re demonstrating management to advance rapid local weather motion.”
¹ Air Transport Motion Group
² IWA 42:2022 – Internet zero pointers (iso.org)
3 Airport Carbon Accreditation Offset Steering Doc
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Community; his duties embody enterprise growth and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term alternatives.
