WASHINGTON – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, celebrated its 10th year of participation in the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. Airport Carbon Accreditation recognizes airport efforts to manage and reduce their CO2 emissions through independent assessment and verification. ACI-NA also recognized the nearly 90 North American airports that have achieved Airport Carbon Accreditation as part of our annual awards presentation during the 2024 ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition.
“Airport sustainability is more important than ever as we work to reduce our environmental impact while still maintaining exceptional service and operations,” said ACIN-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “Now celebrating 10 years of action in reducing the airport industry’s carbon footprint, we are delighted to recognize the hard work of nearly 90 North American airports that have joined, renewed, or upgraded their Airport Carbon Accreditation this year. Their efforts help set our industry on a path towards further sustainability and to eventually achieve our goal of carbon neutral.”
2024 marks the 10th anniversary since ACI-NA and ACI-Europe signed the Memorandum of Understanding and joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. In that time, nearly 90 North American airports have attained accreditation. Today, more than 60% of the traveling public in North America travel through an accredited airport.
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, 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. Since October 2023, nine airports joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program at Level 1 Mapping, including Aéroport Métropolitain de Montréal, Albuquerque International Sunport, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Ellington Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, Miami International Airport, North Las Vegas Airport, and St John’s International Airport. 15 airports have been renewed at Level 1, including Aéroport Trois-Rivières, Boston Logan International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, Fredericton International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, Plant City Airport, Regina International Airport, Region of Waterloo, Saint John Airport, South Valley Regional Airport, Tooele Valley County Airport, and Thunder Bay International Airport.
At Level 2 ‘Reduction’, airports provide evidence of effective carbon management procedures and show that reduction targets have been achieved. Since October 2023, Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Jackson Hole Airport, and San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program at Level 2 Reduction. Six airports upgraded at Level 2, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Nanaimo Airport, Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport, San José Mineta International Airport, and William P. Hobby Airport. 14 airports renewed at Level 2, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Fort McMurray Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, Honolulu International Airport, John Glenn Columbus Airport, Kelowna International Airport, Long Beach Airport, Peter O. Knight Airport, San Antonio International Airport, Stinson-Mission Municipal Airport, Saskatoon International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Tampa Executive 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. Since October 2023, two airports upgraded at Level 3 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport. 11 airports are also being recognized for their renewal at Level 3, including Charlottetown Airport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, New York Stewart International Airport, Teterboro Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, and Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International 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.
At Level 4 ‘Transformation’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to set out a policy commitment to absolute emissions reduction. Since October 2023, Dallas Love Field upgraded to level 4.
At Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to compensate for their remaining carbon emissions by offsetting. Since October 2023, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport renewed at 4+
Learn more about Airport Carbon Accreditation HERE .
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