MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, recognized 41 North American airports to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation during the 2022 ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition. Airport Carbon Accreditation recognizes airport efforts to manage and reduce their CO2 emissions through independent assessment and verification.
During the ceremony on September 19, 2022, Ottawa International Airport was recognized as the latest North American airport to achieve carbon neutral status through the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. Toronto Pearson International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were recognized for achieving transformational accreditation toward absolute emissions reduction. San Diego International Airport and Vancouver International Airport join Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to achieve the highest level of Airport Carbon Accreditation by offsetting their carbon emissions.
“As an ambitious industry, airports are doing their part to be good partners by promoting sustainability and environmentally responsible practices,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “I applaud all of these North American airports that have joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program to lower their carbon footprint. I look forward to the growth in the program as these airports set our industry on a path toward continued success in innovation and sustainability.”
Since ACI-NA joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program in 2014, nearly 60 North American airports have attained accreditation. As part of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports commit to reducing their emissions by making investments in heating and lighting efficiency technology, electric, hybrid or gas-powered vehicles, public transport incentive schemes, less corporate travel, and stakeholder engagement to encourage further emissions reductions. Airport Carbon Accreditation provides a unique common framework and tool for active carbon management at airports with measurable results. There are six levels of the program, covering mapping, reduction, optimization, neutrality, transformation, and transition.
At the mapping level, airports determine emissions sources within the operational boundary of the airport company and calculate the annual carbon emissions. They compile a carbon footprint report and engage an independent third-party to verify the report. For 2022, 10 airports joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program at Level 1 Mapping, including Albany International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Oakland International Airport, Stinson Municipal Airport, and YYC Calgary International Airport. Seven airports have been renewed at Level 1, including Edmonton International Airport, Fredericton International Airport, Regina International Airport, Saint John Airport, San Antonio International Airport, Saskatoon International Airport, and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.
At the Level 2 ‘Reduction’, airports provide evidence of effective carbon management procedures and show that reduction targets have been achieved. For 2022, seven airports have been upgraded at Level 2, including Kelowna International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Indianapolis Airport Authority’s Hendricks County Airport-Gordon Graham Field, Downtown Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Indianapolis Regional Airport, Metropolitan Airport. Five airports have been renewed at Level 2, including Charlottetown Airport, Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport, Honolulu-Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport, and Victoria International Airport.
At the Level 3 ‘Optimization’ level, airports widen the scope of carbon footprint to include third party emissions and engage third parties at and around the airport. For 2022, Dallas Love Field Airport upgraded at Level 3. Five airports are also being recognized for their renewal at Level 3, including Indianapolis International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and Van Nuys Airport.
At Level 3+ ‘Neutrality’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to compensate for their remaining carbon emissions that cannot be reduced by other means by offsetting. For 2022, Ottawa International Airport has been recognized as the newest carbon neutral airport in North America. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has also renewed at Level 3+.
At Level 4 ‘Transformation’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation airports are required to set out a policy commitment to absolute emissions reduction. For 2022, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport upgraded to Level 4.
At Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to compensate for their remaining carbon emissions by offsetting. For 2022, San Diego International Airport and Vancouver International Airport upgraded to Level 4+.
Learn more about Airport Carbon Accreditation at https://airportco2.org/.
