Airport Carbon Accreditation results for Year 15 released – European airports retain the climate action lead

The latest results of global airport climate action under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme were released earlier this month, marking another strong year for CO2 management at airports.

In the reporting period spanning May 2023 through May 2024, European airports retained their lead over other world regions in terms of participation, with 288 accredited airports across all levels. Globally, the programme counted 558 accredited airports by the end of the period.

Collectively, airports active in the programme reduced more than 1 million tonnes of CO2 (-14.7%) and compensated a further 680,000 tonnes of CO2e using high-quality carbon credits.

Year 15 also ushered in a new chapter in the history of the programme, with the introduction of Level 5 – the first ever blueprint for net zero carbon balance at airports. To reach this new topmost level, airports must:

• Achieve and maintain ≥ 90% absolute CO₂ emissions reductions in Scope 1 and 2, and commit to Net Zero in Scope 3 by 2050 or sooner;
• Apply credible carbon removals for the residual emissions;
• Develop a Stakeholder Partnership Plan to achieve Net Zero for Scope 3 emissions by engaging with the value chain and actively drive third parties at the airport towards delivering emissions reductions themselves with regular milestones in line with their sector’s Net Zero frameworks and commitments.

Here too, European airports had a strong showing: by the end of the reporting period, 13 out of the total of 15 airports accredited at Level 5 were from Europe.

Find out more in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Annual Report 2023-2024.