This yr’s COP28, which is happening in Dubai till 12 December, has seen the launch of the brand new Stage 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, which is managed by Airports Council Worldwide (ACI) Europe. The most recent and most bold growth of the programme thus far, Stage 5 certifies airports for reaching and sustaining a internet zero carbon stability for emissions underneath their management (Scope 1 and 22) and lengthening mapping, influencing and reporting necessities for all different emissions (Scope 3).
Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe’s Director Normal, defined that whereas the programme’s necessities and construction have developed over time, the launch of Stage 5 marks a pivotal shift.
“The institution of a reference framework for airports attaining and sustaining a internet zero carbon stability for emissions underneath their management displays the truth that airports are beginning to ship on their internet zero commitments. Crucially, Stage 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 internet zero by 2050,” he mentioned.
Ten airports have already secured Stage 5 accreditation as a part of the pilot programme that occurred earlier in 2023. These embody, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Eindhoven and Rotterdam-The Hague airports within the Netherlands; Beja, Madeira and Ponta Delgada airports in Portugal operated by Aeroportos de Portugal/ Vinci Airports; Christchurch Airport in New Zealand; Göteborg Landvetter and Malmö airports in Sweden operated by Swedavia; and Toulon-Hyères Airport in France, operated by Vinci Airports.
The airport commerce physique additionally launched Model 7 of the Airport Carbon and Emissions Report Instrument (ACERT), a complimentary useful resource that helps airports establish, quantify and handle their greenhouse gasoline emissions.
Cleaner power sources
As well as, throughout the World Sustainable Aviation Discussion board, a side-event of COP28 organised by the Air Transport Motion Group (ATAG), ACI Europe’s world counterpart, ACI World, additional underlined its help for cleaner power sources.
Having just lately affirmed its endorsement of the aviation sector’s transition away from fossil fuels throughout the ICAO CAAF/3 Convention, which occurred on the finish of November and noticed a 5% carbon depth discount by 2030, ACI led discussions throughout the World Aviation Sustainable Aviation Discussion board on the essential position of unpolluted hydrogen. The airport commerce physique sees hydrogen as a flexible various power supply for aviation’s decarbonisation. Nevertheless, it additionally bolstered that shifting to various propulsion would require a capital funding of between US$700 billion and US$1.7 trillion throughout the worth chain by 2050, with estimates suggesting that round 90% of this funding will likely be for off-airport infrastructure.
ACI World’s Director Normal, Luis Felipe de Oliveira (pictured proper alongside Olivier Jankovec), famous that: “Airports are figuring out new alternatives and roles they will play of their communities and areas as sustainability leaders, which incorporates supporting the elevated uptake of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), decrease carbon aviation fuels and making ready for different sources of gas akin to hydrogen. Airports are additionally working with companions to cut back their Scope 3 emissions supported by authorities insurance policies. We glance to governments to make sure that insurance policies and regulatory frameworks are tailored to airports’ particular circumstances, to help the worldwide electrical grid transition to internet zero carbon, and to incentivise infrastructure growth with acceptable monetary mechanisms.”
ACI can also be working with the World Financial Discussion board on the Airports of Tomorrow initiative taking a look at progressive alternatives for airports to change into power hubs, in addition to on the worldwide Trade Working Group Airport Compatibility of Various Aviation Fuels Process Drive that’s learning the regulatory framework wanted for the introduction of plane powered by new gas sorts.
