Bahrain Airport Company first level carbon accreditation from Airport Council International.
MANAMA – Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the managing body and operator of Bahrain International Airport (BIA) recently achieved the Airport Carbon Accreditation ‘Level 1 Mapping’ from the Airports Council International (ACI), a significant milestone in BAC’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operate BIA as an environmentally-friendly facility on par with its global counterparts.
The Airport Carbon Accreditation is the only institutionally-endorsed carbon management certification standard for airports and recognizes and accredits airports that successfully manage and reduce their carbon footprint. Currently in its sixth year, this programme has accredited a total of 122 airports the world over.
BAC has been collaborating with French Consultancy Group, Envisa, to set specific goals consistent with the criteria set by the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. With the guidance and consultation of Envisa, BAC is in the process of developing a comprehensive Carbon Management Plan outlining an achievable long-term environmental strategy to gradually reduce BIA’s carbon emissions and ultimately achieve full accreditation. ‘Level 1 Mapping’ is the first step in the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme’s four-step accreditation process which also includes Reduction, Optimization and Neutrality.
According to Mr. Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, Chief Executive Officer at Bahrain Airport Company, “Achieving the first level of Airport Carbon Accreditation is a significant step in BAC’s mission to eventually become a carbon-neutral facility. Environmental sustainability has become a global movement and the aviation industry is increasingly taking action to reduce its carbon footprint and operate in a greener, more responsible manner. We are keen to do our part to preserve the environment and we will persist with our goal to reduce our emissions and gradually turn BIA into carbon-neutral facility”.
Regional Director of ACI Asia-Pacific, Mrs. Patti Chau said “I wish to congratulate Bahrain International Airport for its effort in Achieving Level 1 – Mapping in Airport Carbon Accreditation – the institutionally endorsed environmental programme for airports worldwide. Since its launch in 2009, 25 airports in the Asia-Pacific region have been accredited. Bahrain International Airport’s achievement has once again shown that airports in our region are committed to and have taken actual action in reducing CO2 impact at airports.”
“We have already started planning for the second phase of the programme to actively reduce our emissions and attain accreditation for ‘Level 2 – Reduction’ in the near future. The next steps will also necessitate the combined efforts of all BIA partners and stakeholders towards achieving a sustainable environmental strategy for BIA and I am confident that the airport community will not hesitate to offer their long-term commitment and support to this project”, further stated Mr. Al Binfalah.
The Airport Carbon Accreditation programme takes into consideration aircraft emissions whilst stationed within an airport’s perimeter and on initial departure and final approach. Airport Carbon Accreditation uses the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) definition of the Landing-Take Off cycle and requires airports to comply with these definitions. The accreditation follows the principles of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) “Greenhouse Gas Protocol” Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.
BAC is the authority responsible for operating and managing Bahrain International Airport as a world-class airport. As part of its operator role, BAC is responsible for elevating the airport’s infrastructure and services. This is set to improve the Kingdom‘s aviation capabilities and to cater for the growing number of passengers, as well as the changing demands of the airport’s stakeholders.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
