ACI Delivers Record-Breaking Results in Carbon Management

As the aviation industry continues to pour investments and efforts to battle climate change, Airport Council International (ACI) presented record-breaking carbon emission reduction results from its conglomerate of member airports, which aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement for 2050. 

ACI presented its annual climate action results for the Airport Carbon Accreditation, which is managed by ACI Europe and considered the global carbon standard for airports worldwide. The Council explained that from May 2021 to May 2022, 395 member airports in 79 countries reduced at least one of the six program levels for carbon management. 

The 91 new accreditations recorded during 2023 represent the highest growth since the beginning of the accreditation program in 2009. ACI specified 86 airports upgraded to a higher level of carbon management and 89 achieved advanced levels of carbon management.

“The record-breaking results of the ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation program are great achievements by the world’s airports. This program has become a global success, as reflected in its year-on-year growth. Despite the challenges brought on by the impact of the pandemic, the airport industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to net zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement,” said Luis Felipe de Oliveira, World Director, ACI via a press release. 

Mexico has five ACI member airports according to ACI Latin America: Queretaro Intercontinental Airport, Airports and Auxiliary and Services Network (ASA), Center-North Airport Group (OMA), Services to the Pacific Airport Infrastructure (GAP) and Southeast Airport Services. 

ACI explained that carbon reduction and compensation results are record-breaking, as accredited airports reduced CO2 emissions by 549,643 tonnes altogether, which represents a reduction of 8.1%. ACI highlighted that 898,821 tonnes of CO2e were compensated with high quality carbon credits. 

“The number of airports accredited at these levels reached 321 in the reporting period, pointing to the airport community’s readiness to pursue full decarbonization in line with, or in some cases even more rapidly than the timelines shrined in the global climate goals,” said ACI.