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Pangolin Associates: climate change services

Climate Change Specialists

Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA)

Providing verification services for all levels of accreditation

Pangolin Associates provides Airport Carbon Accreditation services (logo)We assist airports in Australia and the Asia Pacific region with Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) verification services. The ACA is designed for airports of all sizes in any area.

There are 4 levels of accreditation. Our in-house ACA verifier was the first in Australia to verify airports under the program. We have the experience. Talk to us about ACA verification services.

About the ACA

The Airport Council International (ACI), the only global association of airport operators, is behind the ACA program. The ACA gives aviation its own carbon emissions management program. This is the only such institutionally endorsed certification for airports. It provides a tailored yet flexible framework for a greenhouse gas intensive industry using internationally approved methodologies.

The ACA program comprises four stages or levels. An airport may choose to participate in the program at any level, provided it meets entry requirements for that level. Put simply, the ACA program involves measuring then managing an airport’s impact on the environment. The end goal is carbon neutrality, or net zero emissions. Find out more (Airport Carbon Accreditation website).

Levels of carbon accreditation – 1, 2, 3, 3+, 4 and 4+

Level 1 – Mapping: Mapping requires measuring and verifying an airport’s carbon footprint. Mapping incorporates Scope 1 and Scope 2 level emissions.

Verification component summary: An independent third party must verify the greenhouse gas calculations. See all of our accreditations.

Level 2 – Reduction: Reduction requires the airport to act on managing carbon emissions effectively, generally with proven results across a three-year period. Attainment of this level requires demonstrated effective carbon management procedures to achieve emission reduction targets.

Verification component summary: The airport’s greenhouse gas calculations, carbon management plan, reduction targets and management strategies must be verified for accreditation at Level 2.

Level 3 – Optimisation: Optimisation requires an expanded reduction strategy that incorporates third party providers and suppliers, or Scope 3 emissions. Achievement at this level requires an airport to account for the Landing and Take-Off (LTO) cycle of in and out-bound aircrafts.

Verification component summary: The airport’s greenhouse gas calculations, carbon management plan, reduction targets, management strategies and stakeholder consultation plans with, but not limited to, airport tenants and airlines must be verified for accreditation at Level 3. At this level the airport must also demonstrate verifiable Scope 3 emission calculations.

Level 3+ – Neutrality: Carbon neutrality involves offsetting emissions that cannot be eliminated through reduction and optimisation strategies. In essence, achievement at this level is the combination of Levels 1, 2 and 3, plus offsetting residual emissions attributable to the airport.

Level 4 – Transformation: Level 4 requires additional scopes 1 and 3 emission sources. The airport must set a target aligned with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celcius and a strategy to achieve this target. A stakeholder participation plan is also required to ensure that the airport is significantly involved in driving down quantified emissions for its third parties.

Level 4+ – Transition: This is similar to Level 3+, but is only available for airports who have successfully achieved Level 4 and are looking to offset residual emissions attributable to the airport.

Verification component summary: We will verify all of the requirements of Levels 1, 2 and 4, including the offsets (or carbon credits) used toward the airport’s carbon neutrality plan. Airports meeting certain requirements can bypass Levels 3 and 3+ and achieve Levels 4 and 4+.

Forward thinking airports

Airports around the globe are participating in the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. A few successful examples include:

 Are you part of the airport sector?

Contact us about Airport Carbon Accreditation benefits and requirements.