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Just 16 months after the launch of Airport Carbon Accreditation by ACI Europe in June 2009, the busiest international airport? in the world – BAA’s London-Heathrow – has today become Airport Carbon Accredited.
Airport Carbon Accreditation is an annual carbon management certification programme, comprised of 4 progressive levels of accreditation: Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation and Neutrality.
As the only institutionally-endorsed² programme for independently assessing and recognising airports’ efforts to manage and reduce their CO2 emissions, Airport Carbon Accreditation has awarded London-Heathrow the ‘Optimisation’ level of accreditation. This level recognises that Heathrow Airport has achieved a substantial reduction in its carbon emissions over the last 3 years, based on effective carbon management procedures and a comprehensive reporting of its carbon footprint. The ‘Optimisation’ level of accreditation also recognises the engagement that London-Heathrow has undertaken to influence other stakeholders on the airport site to reduce their CO2 emissions.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE said “Today is a big day for Airport Carbon Accreditation, with Europe’s biggest airport becoming certified. The 23 airports that are now Airport Carbon Accredited span 12 European countries and account for over 30% of European passenger traffic. More than that, London-Heathrow’s accreditation brings the overall reduction achieved to date to over 540,000 tonnes of CO2 in just 16 months.”
He added “This collective effort is an excellent example of how seriously the aviation industry is treating the issue of CO2 emissions reduction, as highlighted at the 37th ICAO Assembly this past week. Europe’s airports have already moved from words to action – we are delivering on our commitment to reduce emissions.”
Colin Matthews, Chief Executive of BAA, commented "If you do not effectively measure and benchmark energy use, you cannot reduce it, but that is exactly what we are doing. This accreditation is an important milestone as we seek to make every journey better. Real improvements can be made through investment and joint-working. We are committed to helping the UK meet its environmental targets and I am delighted that the great lengths that all our staff go to have been recognised."
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
