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European Commission Vice President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport, today commended Paris-Charles De Gaulle and Paris-Orly Airports for their carbon emissions reductions. At a ceremony, Vice-President Kallas presented Mr Pierre Graff, President and Director General of Aeroports de Paris, with certificates marking the airports’ progress under the Airport carbon accreditation scheme, an industry led initiative, launched in June 2009.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice-President Kallas said: "In less than two years, 28 airports across 15 countries in Europe have signed up to the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme, putting sustainability at the heart of their transport policy." He congratulated the Airports Council International Europe on the success of its Airport Carbon Accreditation Scheme, and welcomed the progress made by Aeroports de Paris in reducing CO2 emissions at Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly, which see a combined 83 million passengers each year. CO2 savings in the Paris airports amount to 6.000 tons per year – which is roughly the equivalent of the yearly emissions of about 300 average households."
Vice President Kallas added that the Commission fully supports industry initiatives of this kind. "We can only succeed in tackling climate change if the actions of regulators are complemented by individual citizens and businesses to move the European aviation system on to a more sustainable footing, in line with the historic agreement reached in the recent ICAO Assembly thanks to Europe’s leadership".
Both Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly airports became accredited at the ‘Reduction’ level, thanks to their achievements in reducing the CO2 emissions under their direct control.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of European airports trade body, ACI Europe said “With more than 80 million passengers a year, CDG and Orly are among the Top 10 airports in terms of European air traffic. Today they progress to a new level of Airport Carbon Accreditation – a result of their ongoing commitment to the challenge of climate change and a step closer to carbon neutral operations.”
He added “Along with the latest accreditations of Zurich Airport and Prague Airport among others, this shows that Airport Carbon Accreditation continues to gain momentum, confirming the relevance and the robustness of the programme. European airports are setting an example as an industry that is working hard to genuinely reduce its CO2 emissions.”
Presenting the certificate, Siim Kallas, European Commission Vice-President in charge of Transport commented “In transport, sustainability is not an ‘optional extra’ – it has to come as standard. We can only succeed in tackling climate change if the actions of regulators are complemented by citizens and businesses taking action of their own. With over 559,000 tonnes of CO2 reduced so far, I believe that Airport Carbon Accreditation is playing a crucial role in helping move European aviation onto a more sustainable footing.”
Pierre Graff, President and Director General of Aeroports de Paris said "This certification rewards Aeroports de Paris’ proactive stance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2004, we produced 125,000 tonnes of CO2. Today, our carbon emissions are less than 100,000 tonnes."
Airport Carbon Accreditation is an annual carbon management certification programme established by the Airports Council International Europe, comprised of four progressive levels of accreditation: Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation and Neutrality.
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