LONG BEACH, CA. – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, recognized 73 North American airports to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation during the 2023 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 October 2, 2023, a record number of Airports were recognized for undertaking difficult tasks to manage and reduce their CO2 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 100 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 2023, 12 airports joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program at Level 1 Mapping, including Boston Logan International Airport, Comox Valley Airport, Ellington Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Greater Moncton International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport, Region of Waterloo International Airport, Thunder Bay International Airport, William P. Hobby, and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. 12 airports have been renewed at Level 1, including Albany International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Edmonton International Airport, Fredericton International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, London International Airport, Nanaimo Airport, San José Mineta International Airport, Plant City Airport, Regina International Airport, Saint John Airport, and Trois-Rivières Airport.
At Level 2 ‘Reduction’, airports provide evidence of effective carbon management procedures and show that reduction targets have been achieved. For 2023, Hollywood Burbank Airport joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program at Level 2 Reduction. Seven airports have been upgraded at Level 2, including Fort McMurray International Airport, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Peter O. Knight Airport, San Antonio International Airport, Saskatoon International Airport, Stinson Airport. Seven airports have been renewed at Level 2, Kelowna International Airport, King County International Airport, Long Beach Airport, Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport, Tampa Executive Airport, Tampa 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 2023, seven airports upgraded at Level 3 including Charlottetown Airport, Downtown Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Hendricks County Airport-Gordon Graham Field, Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport, and Indianapolis Regional Airport. 10 airports are also being recognized for their renewal at Level 3, including Dallas Love Field, Indianapolis International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Van Nuys Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, Stewart International Airport, and Teterboro 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 2023, two airports renewed at Level 3+ including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Ottawa International Airport.
At Level 4 ‘Transformation’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to set out a policy commitment to absolute emissions reduction. For 2023, two airports renewed at Level 4 including Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, San Francisco International Airport.
At Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to compensate for their remaining carbon emissions by offsetting.
Learn more about Airport Carbon Accreditation at https://airportco2.org/.
###
