ACA – Airport Carbon Accreditation

ACA - Airport Carbon Accreditation is a global carbon management program for airports that independently evaluates and recognizes airports' efforts to manage and reduce their CO₂ emissions.

Airport Carbon Accreditation is the only institutionally approved global carbon management certification program for airports. Independently evaluates and acknowledges airports' efforts to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through 6 levels of certification: “Mapping”, “Reduction”, “Optimization”, “Neutrality”, “Transformation” and “Transition”.

Thanks to its 6-level certification, Airport Carbon Accreditation acknowledges that airports are at different stages of the comprehensive carbon management journey. It is a program for airports of all sizes that extends beyond hubs and regional airports with scheduled passenger traffic to include general aviation and freight-oriented airports.

Airport Carbon Accreditation is also the only global, airport-specific carbon standard based on internationally accepted methodologies. It provides airports with a common framework for activated carbon management with measurable target posts. The program is site specific and provides flexibility to consider national or local legal requirements while ensuring that the methodology used is always sound.

Airport Carbon Accreditation seeks to enable the airport industry to effectively reduce its carbon footprint, benefiting from increased efficiency through reduced energy consumption, shared expertise and knowledge exchange, and better communication of results. The substantial number of airports certified at all levels of the program clearly demonstrate that, regardless of size or geography, these airports are pioneers and are actively reducing aviation's carbon footprint on land.

Verification

As part of the Airport Carbon Accreditation application process, based on each airport's carbon footprint and the chosen accreditation level, the airport's carbon management and stakeholder plans must be independently verified by a third party before being evaluated by the program Manager, WSP. This type of verification can only be done by validators who meet certain threshold qualifications and have successfully followed a program webinar and passed the relevant online written exam. They are then listed as approved validators for the purposes of the program.

At Level 1 'Mapping' of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to measure and inventory their carbon footprints.

How to achieve?

To achieve this level of accreditation, an airport must:

Identify the 'operational limit', which are Scope 1 and Scope 2 sources, as defined by the GHG Protocol, and the emission sources within that limit.
Collect data and calculate the latest annual carbon emissions for these resources.
Compile a carbon footprint report.

More information

To plan how to reduce these emissions, an airport must know how much carbon it emits each year and from what activities and operations. Therefore, as a first step, an airport needs to measure its carbon emissions, also known as its carbon footprint. An airport can measure its own footprint with the help of the Implementation Manual or get support from a number of specialist companies. Airports can also use ACERT, the Airport Carbon and Emissions Reporting Tool, provided free of charge to its members by ACI World.

Accreditation Requirements

Policy commitment to reduce emissions. In the form of a signed policy statement (i.e. Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Board of Directors) with publicly available written proof of the highest commitment to reducing greenhouse gas, carbon or energy. This can be a standalone statement or part of an existing policy statement (eg EMAS or ISO 14001) or report (eg Annual or Environmental Report).

The policy statement provides the opportunity to demonstrate commitment at the executive level, raise the importance of emissions reduction and energy efficiency, and develop a framework to meet the program's requirements. The policy statement should be worded in a way that best meets the general needs of the airport. It can be prepared in the national language of the country, provided the third-party verifier confirms that it meets the program's requirements. Disclosure will be made available to the public (eg Company website or publications). Relevant airport website links and documentation will be provided to the Administrator as part of the application.

Developing the carbon footprint for the airport's scope 1 and 2 emissions. It is recommended that airports combine all important carbon footprint information and data in a Carbon Footprint Report.

Renewal Requirements

Annual carbon footprint submission for airport scope 1 and 2 emissions. The carbon footprint will be presented each year. Carbon footprint and regeneration practice, scope of reported emissions, differences in organizational boundaries, etc.

At Level 2 “Reduction” Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to establish carbon management and move towards a reduced carbon footprint.

How to achieve?

To achieve this level of accreditation, an airport must:

Meet all the requirements of “Mapping”
Provide evidence of effective carbon management procedures, including target setting
Demonstrate a reduction in carbon footprint by comparing the most recent carbon footprint with emissions from previous years.

More information

When an airport measures its carbon footprint, it can work to reduce its carbon emissions. This process is known as carbon management and includes a wide variety of measures that an airport must:

Having a low carbon / low energy policy
Demonstrate that a high-level committee or body has responsibility for climate change / carbon / energy issues
Monitor fuel and energy consumption
Have carbon / energy reduction targets
Establish actions, programs or control mechanisms to ensure operations minimize emissions
Consider the emissions impact of investments
Provide emissions awareness training for staff
Have a self-assessment and audit process to monitor progress towards improvements
Communicate emissions performance to relevant stakeholders

Specific examples of carbon management measures may include:

Energy demand reduction – through inspection, metering, management, automatic meter reading (AMR), automatic monitoring and targeting (AM&T), fine-tuned and effective control
Clean energy source – combined heat and power, renewable energy sources (on-site or off-site)
Low energy design – standards for renovation and new build, mandatory inclusion of carbon reduction studies in all new projects
Options for alternative fuel airport vehicles (electric, hybrid, hydrogen, LPG, etc.)
Staff communication and participation plans
Equal or preferential evaluation for carbon reduction investment projects
Program to study and reduce emissions related to the supply chain

Renewal Requirements

Fulfillment of all level 1 accreditation renewal requirements.
Display of scope 1 and 2 emissions reductions compared to the three-year average.
Revised Carbon Management Plan. The plan will be reviewed and updated at least every three years, as well as taking into account airport initiatives, how the airport is responding to new organizational and operational conditions, changes in legal requirements and regulatory rules, new scientific evidence of climate change, advanced technologies and management processes, etc.

At Level 3 “Optimization” of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports are required to involve third parties in their carbon footprint management. Third parties include various service providers such as airlines and independent ground handling companies, air traffic control, and others working on the airport site. It also includes agreeing with authorities and users on modes of surface access (road, rail).

How does it succeed?

To achieve this level of accreditation, an airport must:

Meet all the requirements of “Mapping” and “Reducing”
Extending the carbon footprint to include a range of Scope 3 emissions (in accordance with the GHG Protocol)
Scope 3 emissions to be measured include, among others:

– landing and take-off cycle emissions

– surface access to the airport for passengers and staff

– business travel emissions of staff

Providing evidence of interaction with third party operators to reduce carbon emissions based on the wider airport

More information

It relies on cooperation with airlines and service providers in the airport area, such as airports, ground handling and catering companies. However, these services also emit carbon and require interaction with providers for an overall reduction in carbon footprint.

When assessing Stakeholder Engagement for Level 3, an airport must ensure that the following requirements are met as a minimum:

Identification and classification of stakeholders that the airport can guide and influence
Allocating clear roles and responsibilities to build and facilitate partnerships with key stakeholders
Presentation of a clear implementation plan of the intended approach to engage stakeholders, including suggested actions and timings

Specific examples of ways an airport can work with stakeholders to reduce carbon emissions include:

Awareness and behavior campaigns to raise the profile of energy efficiency and low carbon practices across the airport community. This may include campaigns that encourage certain behaviors such as vehicle shutdown / reduced idle time.
Official airport-wide plans to encourage and facilitate certain personal or operational practices or selection of equipment or vehicles. For example, ridesharing programs, clean vehicle schemes, and waste minimization and recycling programs.
Working with key business partners to ensure they understand airport policy, goals and objectives and to support implementation. For example, through groups or advisory committees representing airport tenants and airside operators.
Working with airport planners and third parties to ensure that an airport's infrastructure plans reflect and implement the airport's carbon reduction targets, and facilitate the reduction of emissions from major third parties. An example would be working with airlines to reduce the use of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) and taxi times.
Training of third parties on energy efficiency and carbon management techniques.
Setting minimum performance standards for, for example, building/retail unit refurbishment, operational practices and vehicle fleets.
Use of incentives and cost structures to encourage the use of good practice and efficient means, such as differential charging for lower/higher emission aircraft.
Adding carbon/energy considerations to existing third party lease/contract terms and/or incorporating performance and implementation controls in airport audit processes.
Forming strategic partnerships with key airport operators, including airlines or contractors, for example, to collaborate on investment projects and opportunities related to Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).

Renewal Requirements

Complying with all level 2 accreditation renewal requirements, specifying that the carbon footprint also includes specific scope 3 emissions as described above.
Revised Stakeholder Engagement Plan. The plan will be reviewed at least every three years and will be reviewed by stakeholders, joint ventures, goal achievement, training and awareness etc. It will contain updated information about. In the interim years, the airport will provide evidence for the implementation of the plan via the online application.

Level 3+ Objectivity

How to achieve?

To achieve this level of accreditation, an airport must:

Meet all the requirements of 'Mapping', 'Reduction' and 'Optimization'
Offset the remaining Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, as well as emissions from staff business travel, using internationally accepted offsets

Carbon neutrality is achieved when the remaining airport emissions are offset by purchasing carbon credits. Carbon offsetting funds other projects that reduce carbon dioxide to compensate for emissions that cannot be completely eliminated by the airport. For example, an airport might pay for a wind power plant to replace a coal-fired power plant.

Airport Carbon Accreditation has developed a bespoke Offsetting Handbook based on a study conducted by environmental consultancy Ecofys. Airports that decide to offset their remaining emissions are encouraged to consult this comprehensive guide to choosing reliable carbon credits.

One of the key requirements of Level 3+ 'Objectivity' is that airports continue with balancing only after reducing their emissions as much as possible. To help airports assess whether they are already using their full available emission reduction potential, Airport Carbon Accreditation provides specific Guidance on Emissions Reduction Before Balancing.

Airport Carbon Accreditation supports UNFCCC's 'Climate Neutral Now' campaign

How to achieve?

To achieve this level of accreditation, an airport must:

Meet all the requirements of 'Mapping', 'Reduction' and 'Optimization'
Offset the remaining Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, as well as emissions from staff business travel, using internationally accepted offsets

Airport Carbon Accreditation supports UNFCCC's 'Climate Neutral Now' campaign.

In the Level 4 'Transformation' of Airport Carbon Accreditation, airports need to align their carbon management targets with global climate targets and transform their operations with absolute emission reductions while strengthening stakeholder engagement.

How to achieve?

Set a policy commitment for absolute emissions reduction
Include additional (up to Level 3) Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions in the carbon footprint
Establish a long-term absolute carbon emission reduction target. Target amount and date should be aligned with IPCC 1.5°C or 2°C paths.
Develop a Carbon Management Plan to achieve the target. The airport will define its trajectory to achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions and the actions it expects to stay on that trajectory.
Development of Stakeholder Partnership Plan. The Stakeholder Partnership Plan will demonstrate that the airport is actively directing third parties to achieve emission reductions themselves, either through its own mitigation plans or through measures initiated by the airport operator.

More information

To reach Level 4, an airport must set an absolute emission reduction target (ie, an airport operator target scope) that includes, as a minimum, all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. If an airport chooses to do so, it can include one or more of the sources of Scope 3 emissions in its target and thus partially or completely cover the airport as a system (ie a target scope with third parties).

The Implementation Handbook details the requirements for the carbon footprint, the definition of targets and trajectories, and stakeholder partnership.