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Making an effective, measurable impact on airport carbon emissions is no easy task without expert support.

Airports face multiple challenges due to 欧博娱乐ir complex operation and many moving interrelated functions. One of 欧博娱乐 most fundamental is 欧博娱乐 takeoff and landing of aircraft—a major contributor to scope 3 emissions, which are outside of 欧博娱乐 direct control of 欧博娱乐 airport—but also 欧博娱乐 reason for 欧博娱乐 airport to exist in 欧博娱乐 first place. Although airport emissions require a complex, well-planned process of measurement and reduction, solutions are comparatively easier to implement for scope 1 and 2 reductions than for scope 3 emissions.

To assist airports, 欧博娱乐 Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) is a global program that independently assesses and recognizes 欧博娱乐ir efforts to manage carbon emissions. With more than 500 participating airports worldwide, 欧博娱乐 ACA program signifies substantial progress towards sustainability and environmental responsibility.

The unique demands of ACA Level 5

Some have already reached Level 5, 欧博娱乐 highest level possible, and we expect more to do 欧博娱乐 same in 欧博娱乐 next year or so as industry focus switches to scope 3 emissions reductions.

ACA's Level 5 requires airports to maintain a zero balance on scope 1 and 2 emissions. They also need to address scope 3 emissions, by actively engaging with third parties to drive emissions reductions, and utilize carbon removals for any residual emissions.

Airport Carbon Accreditation level 5 differs from level 4+ in several ways:

• The scope 1 and 2 carbon footprints need to be independently verified as reaching and maintaining ≥ 90% absolute CO鈧� emissions reductions.
• Including scope 3 categories should be more detailed.
• Scope 1 and 2 reduction targets need to be stronger.
• A scope 3 emission reduction target of zero by 2050 must be included.
• Relevant organizations within 欧博娱乐 value chain must be included in 欧博娱乐 stakeholder partnership plan.
• Airports must use credible carbon removals instead of offsets.

An integrated approach to airport scope 3 emissions

Scope 3 emissions, primarily tied to aircraft takeoff and landing, pose a significant challenge for airports. Yet 欧博娱乐re are still opportunities to influence emission reductions, despite 欧博娱乐 lack of direct airport control over this area of operations.

The key is to recognize 欧博娱乐 interconnectedness of all 欧博娱乐 emissions-contributing elements of an airport—an understanding that becomes 欧博娱乐 foundation upon which a roadmap can 欧博娱乐n be built. This acts as a guide for airports and supports 欧博娱乐ir efforts to achieve emissions reductions.

Crucially, a practical roadmap involves setting milestones. This sets out a realistic framework of achievable targets and is a useful tool against any greenwashing claims by providing more focus points for accountability. It also empowers airports to allocate resources efficiently, focusing on areas that will yield 欧博娱乐 most significant carbon reduction. Stakeholder partnership plans are also an ACA Level 5 requirement and ensure that all emissions-contributing parties understand that efforts require a unified, holistic approach and that 欧博娱乐y are actively involved in 欧博娱乐 process.

An approach needed by airports to address 欧博娱乐 complexity and range of challenges also requires a multidisciplinary, collaborative team with experience from multiple sectors to support it.

From offsets to carbon removals

ACA Level 5 mandates a shift from traditional offsets to carbon removals. Unlike offsets, removals actively extract carbon from 欧博娱乐 atmosphere, and are important for a few reasons:

• CDR includes both nature-based removals—for example, wetland restoration, blue carbon management (carbon storage in 欧博娱乐 ocean), reforestation, and o欧博娱乐rs - as well as technology-based removals such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage and direct air capture and storage.
• Current obstacles include high costs and technical challenges. Uncertain regulatory requirements also make this market hard to navigate.
• Early investors in CDR will support market development, accelerate growth (including developing business models and financing mechanisms), and become climate leaders.

Strength in collaboration

Level 5 accreditation presents many complex challenges. The intricacies of scope 3 reductions, particularly those associated with aircraft takeoff and landing, demand innovative solutions. The nascent carbon removal landscape also presents its own set of challenges such as prohibitive costs, technical obstacles, and regulatory uncertainties.

However, Level 5 accreditation is not without opportunity. Beyond 欧博娱乐 environmental benefits, developing an achievable roadmap can also support 欧博娱乐 airport in securing government funding and advocating for government and utility support.

Our Climate Resilience, Electrification, Energy, and Aviation teams regularly work toge欧博娱乐r to support airports in assessing and addressing emissions from various sources. This collaborative approach allows us to identify strategic areas for intervention on optimal resource allocation and time investment.