With COP29 having recently concluded, a side-event hosted by ACI Europe and Heydar Aliyev International Airport saw a new milestone with over 600 airports across the world now engaged in CO2 management with the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.
“Airport Carbon Accreditation has actually been on an uninterrupted upward trend since its inception back in 2009 – when just 17 airports had joined the programme,” said Olivier Jankovec, ACI EUROPE Director General. “This speaks volumes about the extent to which airports have been embracing climate action and delivering tangible carbon reductions into the millions of tonnes annually. This ultimately reflects how airports globally are putting sustainability at the core of their business. I warmly congratulate Azerbaijan’s capital airport for joining our climate action community and for being pioneers in their sub-region.”
He continued: “At the same time, we are acutely aware that more needs to be done to address aviation’s overall impact on the climate. As a hard-to-abate sector, we need more support from Governments and global institutions in our common quest to become the green transport mode of choice. Airports stand ready to play their part in this transformation.”
The hosting airport is accredited through the programme, being the first airport in the subregion to achieve Level 2 certification.
“Receiving the Level 2 certification under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme from Airports Council International is a significant acknowledgment of our efforts in environmental sustainability,” commented Samir Rzayev, President of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL), the operator of Baku Airport. “We view environmental protection not only as a strategic goal but also as a responsibility to future generations. This achievement motivates us to further enhance our efforts, including reaching the Optimisation level and implementing even more advanced technologies and initiatives in the field of sustainable development.”
Currently, 18 airports hold Level 5 certification, meaning they operate net zero facilities for emissions while pursuing full decarbonisation across upstream and downstream emissions by 2050. This level was added to the programme at COP28 in Dubai, pushing the ambitions of airport carbon management further.
“Against a backdrop of a challenging political landscape for climate action, there is a need to collectively reaffirm our direction to reach net zero emissions by 2050,” said Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World. “Aviation brings tremendous benefits for our society and economy. Airports and their stakeholders must continue addressing their carbon footprint whilst safeguarding aviation’s unique role in driving prosperity and enhancing resilience to climate impacts. We eagerly look to States around the world to deliver supporting frameworks to make ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goal achievable.”
Photo: Airport Carbon Accreditation
