New carbon accreditation milestone for Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport has been recognised for the work done to reduce absolute emissions after becoming the first in Scotland to achieve a global carbon accreditation.

The airport has reached Level 4 ‘Transformation’ in the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme. This is one of the highest levels in the global carbon management certification programme for airports.

This follows extensive engagement and partnerships with stakeholders, airlines and campus partners; work to map the emissions existing within the airport’s supply chain; and the publication of a new Net Zero strategy.

The ACA scheme is the only institutionally endorsed, carbon management certification programme for airports across the globe, and this accreditation further demonstrates the progress being made by the airport through its Greater Good sustainability strategy.

Edinburgh Airport, new control tower, December 2005, Ref CED00313d, DP

Edinburgh Airport, new control tower, December 2005, Ref CED00313d, DP

Edinburgh Airport, new control tower, December 2005, Ref CED00313d, DP

Work done at the airport to achieve ACA Level 4 included the publication of a Net Zero Strategy setting out the airport’s plans for future sustainable growth and how it can contribute to a net zero world, through an absolute reduction of its direct emissions.

It also involved working with the airlines and airport partners on understanding science-based targets at the airport to achieve a reduction to emissions; and mapping to understand and act upon Scope 3 (indirect) emissions through the airport’s supply chain, and the carbon value of goods and services purchased; a n

While all data submitted as part of the process is externally verified and plans are now underway to work towards the next ACA milestone, Level 4+ Transition, in which an airport offsets its remaining carbon emissions with reliable carbon credits.

Jessica Briggs, head of sustainability at Edinburgh Airport, said: “This accreditation marks another major milestone as we progress towards Net Zero emissions and build upon the important work already done through our Greater Good sustainability strategy.

“We’d like to recognise the role our airlines, campus partners, and suppliers have played in this and thank them for engaging with us as we work to better understand emissions created across our campus and beyond – and look at how we can further reduce these.

“Work is already underway and we know that VINCI Airports’ environmental strategy will accelerate our climate transition to achieve higher levels of the Airport Carbon Accreditation by reducing as much as possible our direct emissions, working on the value chain and beyond, whilst supporting carbon removal projects with environmental and social benefits.”