Nine European airports lead the way as pioneers in achieving Level 5 in Airport Carbon Accreditation
Nine European airports are among the ten trailblazing airports that have achieved the new and topmost level of Airport Carbon Accreditation, Level 5, as the first in the world.
At the official COP28 side-event on 6th December, it was announced that 10 airports have achieved Level 5 accreditation as part of the pilot programme that took place in 2023, testing the feasibility and rigorousness of the new framework. The pioneers who achieved Level 5 are:
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol operated by the Royal Schiphol Group, Eindhoven and Rotterdam-The Hague airports in the Netherlands
- Beja, Madeira and Ponta Delgada airports in Portugal, operated by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal | VINCI Airports.
- Göteborg Landvetter and Malmö airports in Sweden, operated by Swedavia.
- Toulon-Hyères airport in France, operated by VINCI Airports.
- Christchurch Airport in New Zealand
The three Dutch airports have made tremendous efforts to raise their sustainability credentials. They have increased their fleet of electric ground equipment; they power their operations with Dutch wind energy and are transitioning their terminals and buildings away from gas. Rotterdam-The Hague Airport is generating renewable energy with over 37,000 solar panels, while Eindhoven Airport incentivises airlines to use newer, low-emission aircraft by offering lower airport charges.
In Sweden, Swedavia, operating Göteborg Landvetter and Malmö airports, achieved fossil-free operations in 2020 and is actively promoting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Swedavia aims for all ground operations at its airports to be fossil-free by 2025. By 2050, Swedavia has set a goal for its entire ecosystem, including procured goods and services, to be fossil-free.
VINCI Airports have made great strides in airport sustainability. By facilitating the use of electric vehicles, and focusing on renewable energy development, they have achieved impressive carbon reduction results. Toulon Airport has seen a 90% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2022. Ponta Delgada, Madeira, and Beja airports have reduced emissions by 96.16%, 96.74%, and 98.1% respectively, between 2014 and 2022.
These pioneer European airports are paving the way for a more sustainable future in aviation. Their dedication and innovative approaches to reducing emissions and align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement set a benchmark for the aviation industry and contribute significantly to global sustainability efforts.
You can find their Press Releases below:
- Schiphol, Eindhoven Airport and Rotterdam The Hague Airport among the first ten airports with highest sustainability accreditation
- Four VINCI Airports are within the first airports in the world to obtain Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 5
- Swedavia’s climate work highlighted at COP28 – Göteborg Landvetter Airport and Malmö Airport included in unique pilot project
