Cambodia’s airports step up their efforts to achieve carbon neutrality

Cambodia’s three international airports have once again demonstrated their green credentials by upgrading their status in ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme to Level 2 – Reduction.

Launched in 2009, the independently administered and verified programme has four levels of certification – Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation and Neutrality, the latter being the ultimate goal for Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanouk airports.

According to concessionaire VINCI Airports and operator, Cambodia Airports, it used the carbon footprint obtained at Level 1 as the starting point for it to control and reduce their airports impact with waste.

They note that this new level of certification is a recognition of the VINCI Airports’ global environmental policy called Airpact, which establishes goals for its airports based on its commitment to the preservation of the environment.

It also recognises the airports’ actions to manage and reduce CO2 emissions and rewards a multi-annual effort to control and reduce their carbon footprint. The next step, it says, will be to apply for level 3, Optimisation, which requires to widen the scope of action to include the airport’s partners in the carbon reduction commitment, a testament to global implication of all airport activities.

Alain Brun, CEO of Cambodia Airports, said: “This additional step in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme demonstrates the long-term commitment of Cambodia Airports to environmental protection.

“It is in line with VINCI Airports objectives, the first international group to commit all its airports to excel within the Airports Carbon Accreditation Programme. Today, all of them have been continuously certified at different levels.”

ACI Asia-Pacific director general, Stefano Baronci, remarked: “We congratulate the airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, operated by Cambodia Airports, for reaching Level 2 – Reduction in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme.

“As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, we commend Cambodia Airports for taking a sustainable approach to growth.”

Brun added: “I want to extend my appreciation to all our collaborators at the three airports who have contributed greatly to this challenge. I am confident this dedicated team will continue to bring even more success to the fight against climate change and to advance toward continuous improvement.”