Summary
Details
- Global
The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) can be obtained by airport operators worldwide seeking an independently verified framework for measuring, managing and reducing airport-related carbon emissions and progressing towards net zero.
Deep dive
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Background
Airports are responsible for emissions from activities they directly control, such as terminal energy use, heating and cooling, airport-owned vehicles and equipment. They also sit at the centre of a much larger emissions network involving airlines, ground handlers, concessionaires, passenger and employee transport, and other third parties.
The Airport Carbon Accreditation was created to give airports a common framework for addressing these emissions. ACI EUROPE launched the programme in June 2009, initially with 17 accredited European airports. It subsequently expanded to Asia-Pacific in 2011, Africa in 2013, and North America and Latin America and the Caribbean in 2014, becoming a global programme.
The framework is based on internationally recognised greenhouse gas accounting principles, including the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1, while adapting their application to airport operations. Airport applications and relevant carbon-management information must also undergo independent third-party verification.
Accreditation Requirements
ACA provides a progressive pathway through seven levels, allowing airports to enter at a level appropriate to their carbon-management maturity and subsequently advance:
Level 1 – Footprint Measurement: The airport identifies emissions within its operational boundary, calculates its annual carbon footprint and prepares a carbon footprint report.
Level 2 – Carbon Management: In addition to measuring emissions, the airport must demonstrate effective carbon-management procedures and quantified emissions reductions.
Level 3 – Third-Party Engagement: The carbon footprint is expanded to relevant Scope 3 sources, and the airport must engage airlines, ground handlers, surface transport providers and other stakeholders in emissions reduction.
Level 3+ – Carbon Neutrality: The airport meets Level 3 requirements and offsets remaining emissions within the required scope using qualifying carbon credits.
Level 4 – Transformation: Airports establish a long-term carbon-management strategy aligned with the Paris Agreement, pursue absolute emissions reductions and demonstrate that they are actively encouraging business partners to reduce emissions.
Level 4+ – Transition: Level 4 requirements are combined with compensation for specified residual emissions using recognised offsets.
Level 5: The highest level requires an airport to maintain net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions, address relevant Scope 3 emissions, strengthen third-party engagement and use carbon removals for residual emissions.
The higher levels therefore extend the programme beyond the emissions directly controlled by the airport operator. At Level 3, for example, relevant Scope 3 accounting includes emissions associated with aircraft landing and take-off cycles, passenger and employee surface access, and staff business travel.
Current Status
Airport Carbon Accreditation has expanded substantially from the 17 airports participating in its first year. As of August 2026, its latest published annual results, covering May 2024 to May 2025, recorded 590 accredited airports across 91 countries and territories, collectively handling 53.6% of global passenger traffic. These airports achieved a reduction of 542,559 tonnes of CO₂e in Scope 1 and 2 emissions during the reporting period. Participation has continued to grow since that reporting period. The programme's current airport directory (as of August 2026) lists 654 accredited airports across its seven levels.
The framework itself has also become more ambitious. Levels 4 and 4+ were introduced in 2020 to align airport carbon management more closely with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, while Level 5 subsequently extended the programme to net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions combined with stronger requirements for addressing Scope 3.
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