ACI EUROPE takes centre stage at COP26

The United Nations “Conference of the Parties” climate summit in Glasgow, known as COP26, saw ACI EUROPE showcasing the climate action leadership and initiatives shown by airports in Europe and around the world. The centrepiece of our presence in Glasgow was an event in the UN’s Climate Action Hub, delivered by ACI EUROPE in partnership with ACI World.

Entitled “Sustainable Connectivity? Meet the Net Zero airports of the future – today”, the event underpinned ACI’s fruitful working cooperation with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. At the event, Olivier Jankovec presented the latest achievements in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme as well as introducing a showreel of climate action projects from airports around the world. Joining Olivier on stage was Derek Provan, CEO of AGS Airports and COP26’s host airport Glasgow, who outlined his “innovation with purpose” vision as well as announcing a new solar energy farm project at Glasgow Airport.

You can view our showcase video “Meet the Net Zero Airports of the Future – Today” here:

Glasgow Airport was also the host for an aviation industry event and reception on the eve of the COP26 Transport Day, as industry body Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) held a discussion and reception. Olivier Jankovec presented ACI’s actions in Europe, as well as around the world as the initiator and custodian of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme. He then went on to moderate a panel discussion on the role of operational and infratructure efficiencies and their role in the decarbnisation of aviation by 2050.

Finally, ACI EUROPE once again had a voice as the Destination 2050 partners took part in a side event in the EU Pavillion, taking to the stage alongside documentary producer Bernice Notenboom and NGO Transport and Environment to look at differing views of decarbonisation from civil society. The Destination 2050 partners, represented by A4E Chair and Easyjet CEO Johan Lundgren, used the opportunity to call for wider adoption of decarbonisation objectives to be agreed at ICAO 2022 Assembly.