Representing the interests of airports and airport operators across the world, Airports Council International (ACI) fosters collective action within the industry. It works closely with airports, governments, industry stakeholders, and international organisations like International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to formulate policies, programs, and industry best practices.

With nearly 712 members, and operations spanning 1,925 airports in 171 countries, ACI contributes to the safety, security and sustainability of global aviation. ACI also has a carbon management certification standard for airports that helps airports assess, manage and reduce their CO2 emissions.

On average, airports account for roughly 5% of aviation’s carbon footprint. The majority of these emissions are from ground operations, including energy use for heating, cooling, lighting, and airport vehicles.

Airports have varying carbon footprints due to their geographical, cultural and economic intricacies. This, as Luis Felipe puts it, makes each airport a mystery that needs to be understood and unlocked in its specific context.

Recognising the impact of these emissions on the environment, ACI’s European body ACI Europe launched the Airport Carbon Accreditation program in 2009. The program has since expanded, with nearly 450 airports worldwide enrolled and certified at different accreditation levels.

ACI’s carbon accreditation program is the only voluntary global carbon management standard that helps airports to manage and reduce their carbon footprint. Focusing primarily on CO2 emissions, the program offers a common framework for airports to analyse and identify carbon-intensive activities. It is site-specific and can be used by airports to plan daily as well as long-term sustainability strategy through continuous improvement and stakeholder partnerships.

It comprises six progressively stringent levels of accreditation that address the needs of airports of different sizes that are at various stages of their carbon management journey. The six levels with their specific requirements are as follows:

1. Level 1 (Mapping): Determine emissions sources within the operational boundaries. Calculate the annual carbon emissions and compile a carbon footprint report.
2. Level 2 (Reduction): Provide evidence of effective carbon management and demonstrate quantified emissions reductions.
3. Level 3 (Optimisation): Widen the scope of carbon footprint to include third-party emissions and engage third parties at and around the airport.
4. Level 3+ (Neutrality): Offset remaining emissions for all emissions over which the airport has control with high-quality carbon credits.
5. Level 4 (Transformation): Define a long-term carbon management strategy for absolute emissions reductions, aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Demonstrate evidence of actively driving third parties towards delivering emissions reductions.
6. Level 4+ (Transition): Offset the residual carbon emissions over which the airport has control, using internationally recognised offsets.

In 2012, ACI also developed an inventory tool called the Airport Carbon and Emissions Reporting Tool (ACERT) to help airports estimate their carbon emissions. ACERT is a self-contained Excel spreadsheet that doesn’t require environmental or emissions expertise but yields sufficiently accurate results to allow airports to put together a mitigation plan. Particularly useful for smaller airports, the tool is available free of charge.

ACI also works closely with the Aerospace Technology Institute, UK and has launched joint reports to guide airports about the integration of technologies like hydrogen aircraft and sustainable aviation fuels in the airport infrastructure.

Airports play an important role in the aviation industry’s efforts to achieve its net zero emissions goal. The main source of carbon emissions in an airport, Luis Felipe explains, is grid energy. To help airports transition to cleaner energy sources, ACI has partnered with the International Solar Alliance to set up and increase the use of solar energy.

Luis Felipe emphasises that as the impact of climate change becomes more dire each day, airports need to go beyond just carbon neutrality and strive for a carbon-positive status. A carbon-positive airport generates more clean energy than it consumes, resulting in a surplus of renewable energy that can be supplied to the local community. While there are currently no airports that are fully carbon positive, there are some that are working towards this goal. For example, by 2021, Swedavia had successfully achieved fossil-free operations at all 10 of its airports by utilising renewable energy and renewable fuels, such as electricity and biogas.

The aviation sector is often criticised for not doing enough to curb its carbon emissions. This, however, does not imply a dearth of initiatives in the industry but a sheer lack of awareness about them, states Luis Felipe. For example, Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program was instituted over a decade ago, yet it remains relatively unknown.

Luis Felipe believes that aviation is perhaps the one of the most environmentally conscious industries but it fails to convey its efforts to the public. He is convinced that a consistent and cohesive communication strategy will be crucial in allaying such misconceptions.

Given his background in fuels, Luis Felipe is certain that Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) will lead the industry’s trajectory towards a sustainable future. Since SAF production is currently limited due to high prices, a mix of mandates and incentives will be required to catalyse its supply. This would again require the industry actors to work in tandem.

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This season of the podcast is brought to you by Cirium and CarbonClick. As a sustainability partner, Cirium helps the aviation industry gain a much clearer view of the carbon emissions and develop methods to reduce them, enabling on the industry promise to fly sustainably. CarbonClick is the industry leader in managing transparent carbon offsetting programs for individuals and top global airlines.

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