Airports are essential hubs in the global transportation network, yet they are also significant contributors to carbon emissions. As the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to embrace sustainability, understanding and mapping an airport carbon footprint is critical for achieving airport decarbonisation goals. Previously, we’d discussed how the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), developed by Airports Council International (ACI) helps stakeholders in the industry achieve sustainability in aviation.
Related Insight: Sustainability in Aviation
This article explores the first step airports can take to achieve the ACA: Mapping an airport carbon footprint. Mapping the footprint is an essential process for tracking emissions, setting reduction targets and aligning with global sustainability standards. Here’s how airports can take meaningful action in this area.
Understanding Airport Carbon Emissions
An airport carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from its operations, including direct emissions from its own facilities and indirect emissions from other sources. Airports contribute to global carbon emissions (around 2-3% of global ghg emissions (CO2e)) through various means, including energy use, ground transport and aircraft operations. To manage these emissions, airports must undergo a carbon footprint assessment—a process that quantifies emissions by source. Airport carbon emissions encompass a wide range of sources, categorised into three scopes.
- Scope 1 emissions are directly controlled by the airport, including fuel combustion for on-site vehicles and equipment.
- Scope 2 emissions stem from purchased electricity.
- Scope 3 emissions, which often account for the largest portion, include aircraft movements, passenger transport and third-party activities.
Related Insight: The Difference Between Scopes 1, 2, and 3
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas associated with airport activities. According to studies, airport operations have a substantial impact on cities' carbon emissions, with new airport openings leading to a 4.3% increase in carbon emissions compared to cities without new airports. However, other gases like nitrous oxide and methane also contribute to the overall carbon footprint. Understanding these emissions is crucial for developing effective carbon management strategies and working towards sustainable aviation goals.
Why Is Mapping an Airport Carbon Footprint Important?
Mapping an airport carbon footprint is the first step toward developing an effective decarbonisation plan. There are several key reasons why this process is crucial for airports:
Meeting regulatory requirements: Governments around the world are imposing stricter environmental regulations on the aviation sector. Carbon footprint mapping ensures compliance with these regulations, avoiding potential penalties.
Improving operational efficiency: By identifying energy inefficiencies and emissions hotspots, airports can implement measures to optimise resource use.
Strengthening airport sustainability: Mapping emissions allows airports to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
Steps to Map Your Airport's Carbon Footprint
Step 1: Define the Scope of Emissions
The first step is identifying emissions that come directly from sources the airport owns and controls. These should be categorised under Scopes 1 and 2 emissions based on their sources. For example, airports own fleets of vehicles that service the airfield, including baggage carts, fuel trucks and shuttles. These vehicles burn fuel, producing direct carbon emissions. Additionally, airport buildings, from terminals to administrative offices, consume energy for heating, cooling and lighting. Any fossil fuel combustion (natural gas, diesel, etc.) within these facilities also contributes to direct emissions.
Step 2: Collect and Calculate Carbon Emissions Data
Once emissions sources are identified, the next step is to collect and calculate carbon emissions data. This step involves gathering detailed and accurate data on energy consumption, fuel usage and other relevant activities that generate emissions. To ensure accuracy, airports often use specialised software and carbon calculation tools that can convert energy consumption and fuel usage into carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), the standard unit for measuring carbon emissions. Airports can use tools like ACI's Airport Carbon and Emissions Reporting Tool (ACERT) to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions inventory. This Excel-based tool allows airports to input activity and consumables information, which is then multiplied by emission factors to produce a detailed inventory.
Step 3: Compile Comprehensive Carbon Report
Once data collection and carbon calculations are complete, the next step is to compile all this information into a comprehensive carbon report. This report should provide an organised summary of the airport's emissions by category (Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3) and by operational activity.
The carbon report should clearly outline:
- The total carbon emissions for the airport, broken down by scopes.
- A comparison of emissions from different sources, helping decision-makers identify key areas for improvement.
- Benchmarks against previous years' emissions, if available, to track progress over time.
- A summary of any carbon reduction initiatives already in place, such as renewable energy installations or energy efficiency programs.
This carbon report acts as a blueprint for both internal and external stakeholders, providing transparency on the airport's environmental impact. For management, it offers a clear picture of where resources should be allocated to reduce emissions, while for investors, partners and regulatory bodies, it demonstrates the airport’s commitment to sustainability in aviation. Additionally, the report can serve as a communication tool for engaging employees, airlines, and passengers in the airport’s carbon reduction initiatives.
Step 4: Submit to an Accredited ACA Verifier
The final step in mapping an airport's carbon footprint is submitting the carbon report to an accredited ACA verifier. In this step, an independent, third-party verifier reviews the airport’s carbon footprint data and ensures that it complies with ACA standards and methodologies, such as the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1. This verification process is essential for ensuring that the emissions data is accurate, credible and transparent.
Once verified, the airport receives an official level of accreditation from the ACA program, which ranges from Mapping (Level 1) to Transition (Level 7). The level of accreditation depends on how advanced the airport’s carbon management practices are. Airports can reapply for higher levels of accreditation as they make further progress in reducing their carbon footprint, ensuring ongoing accountability.
The Bottom Line
Mapping an airport’s carbon footprint is a fundamental step toward achieving decarbonisation and aligning with the growing expectations for sustainability in aviation. By following these four steps airports can make informed, strategic decisions that contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.