Airport carbon accreditation focuses on Scope 3

Airports Council International (ACI) World has launched the next level of its Airport Carbon Accreditation programme at COP28.

Since its launch in 2009, the Airport Carbon Accreditation has become a leading global standard for carbon management at airports. There are 557 airports certified across five continents.

Level 5 means airports have to achieve a net zero carbon balance and demonstrate a strategic commitment for decarbonisation across all scopes by 2050.

Nine out of the ten airports which have achieved Level 5 so far are European (see right).

Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe, said: “While the programme’s requirements and structure have evolved overtime to reflect both science and societal expectations, the launch of Level 5 today marks a pivotal shift.

"The establishment of a reference framework for airports achieving and maintaining a net-zero carbon balance for emissions under their control reflects the fact that airports are starting to deliver on their net zero commitments.

"Crucially, Level 5 also pushes airports to extend their focus beyond those direct CO₂ emissions, by following a comprehensive approach in measuring their Scope 3 emissions and influencing their reduction towards net zero by 2050.” 

Level 5 certification criteria includes: 

• Airports need to reach and maintain ≥ 90 per cent absolute CO2 emissions reductions in Scope 1 and 2 in alignment with the ISO Net Zero Guidelines 2 and commit to achieving net zero in Scope 3 by 2050 or sooner;
• Any residual emissions need to be removed from the atmosphere through investment in credible carbon removal projects;
• Level 5 accredited airports need to outline detailed steps to achieve their emissions reduction targets, as part of their Carbon Management Plan;
• Airports need to submit a verified carbon footprint for Scope 1 and 2 (direct and indirect emissions under the airport’s control) and all relevant categories of Scope 3 (indirect emissions outside of the airport’s control) as per the requirements of the GHG Protocol Scope 3 Guidance, notably covering all significant upstream and downstream activities from third parties – including airlines;
• Following successful accreditation, Level 5 airports must to submit their verified carbon footprint calculations annually;
• Underpinning airports’ commitment to net zero in Scope 3, Level 5 accreditation requires the setup of a Stakeholder Partnership Plan, engaging with the entire airport ecosystem and actively driving third parties towards delivering emissions reductions themselves;
• Reaching and maintaining a net zero carbon balance for emissions under their control (Scope 1 and 2);
• Extending mapping, influencing and reporting requirements for all other emissions (Scope 3).

Earlier levels of the programme certify airports for following a CO2 emissions reduction pathway aligned with the objective of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming by 1.5°C/2°C.

Conor Barry, manager of engagement and Climate Action, UNFCCC said: "Achieving the profound transformation needed for sustainable development and global temperature stabilisation requires commitments and participation from all sectors and levels of society.

"My congratulations go out to all ten pioneers of Level 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation standard who are demonstrating leadership to advance immediate climate action.”

In November ACI World launched a global framework to help improve airport ESG reporting.