With Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), the European airport association „ACI EUROPE” has created a global certification process that enables airports to determine, reduce and ultimately neutralise their specific greenhouse gas footprint (GHG footprint).
The aim of ACA is to improve the environmental efficiency and GHG reduction of airport operations through globally uniform rules. In Europe, all major airports are ACA-certified.
Benefits of Certification
Credibility
A verified balance sheet serves as proof of the credibility of your climate management and demonstrates that you are serious about climate protection.
Potential for Improvement
A detailed review of the completeness and methodology of data collection provides you with a sound basis for reducing your emissions in the long term.
Reputation
You demonstrate that transparency in communication is important to you and improve your reputation with reliable data.
Facts and information
GHG emissions can be reduced in a variety of ways, such as through better insulation and energy efficiency, switching to green energy sources, or investing in hybrid, electric, or gas-powered service vehicles.
To become ACA-compliant, an airport can go through five consecutive certification stages:
1. Mapping
Identifying emission sources within the airport company's operational boundaries
Calculating annual GHG emissions
Creating a report on the GHG footprint
2. Reduction
Proof of effective GHG management and achievement of reduction targets (similar to Scope 1&2)
3. Optimisation
Extension of the GHG balance to emissions from third parties at and around the airport (similar to Scope 3)
4. Neutrality
Offsetting of remaining emissions to achieve climate-neutral operation of all areas controlled by the airport
5. Net Zero
Achievement of a 90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 and neutrality for 2050 in Scope 3 compared to the base year.
To apply for verification at one of the five levels of the programme, airports must have their GHG balance and reduction strategy reviewed in accordance with the ACA standard based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and provide evidence of this to the Airport Carbon Accreditation administrator through independent verification.
Even if no further level is sought, the airport's GHG management plan and stakeholder plans must be verified by an auditor every two years (annually at level 5) and communicated to the ACI.
The definition of the footprint according to ACA follows the requirements of the GHG Protocol.
Klimamanagementbeauftragter (gn) im Unternehmen: Vom Corporate Carbon Footprint bis zur Klimaneutralität – Modul 1 mehr Infos
Klimamanagementbeauftragter (gn) im Unternehmen: Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) – Modul 2 mehr Infos
THG-Bilanzierung gemäß Erneuerbare-Energien-Richtlinie (RED III) mehr Infos
Further services
Carbon Footprint
We verify your Carbon Footprint – for your product or your company.
