Dublin Airport has renewed its commitment to Airport’s Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) at Level 2 (Reduction) for another year.
To achieve the accreditation, airports must map and measure the impact of airport activities in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. The certification provides a common framework for active carbon management and covers the operational activities that contribute most to carbon emissions.
Currently, 125 airports in over 40 countries across the world have been certified under the programme which has received widespread support and endorsements from both the EU and the UN Environment Programmes. Launched in June 2009, it has four levels of accreditation: Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation and Neutrality.
“Since 2011, Dublin Airport’s carbon footprint has decreased by 24%,” said Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison.
“In 2016 alone, we achieved a reduction of 4,366 tonnes of CO2 emissions, a 13% decrease on the 2015 emissions. This is the equivalent of removing almost 900 family cars a year from our roads. Dublin Airport is committed to being Carbon Neutral by 2020 and certifications like ACA are confirmation that we are on schedule to meet that target” he added.
The reduction in emissions was achieved from several different sources including a switch to low emission vehicles (LEV) from older carbon heavy vehicles, an increase in recycled goods and a decrease in waste sent to landfill.
Airports Council International (ACI) was established in 1991 and is the representative body of over 400 airports globally. ACI represents airports interests with Governments and international organizations such as ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world.
So far this year, almost 14.7 million passengers have travelled through Dublin Airport, a 6% increase compared to the first six months of last year.
Dublin Airport has welcomed an additional 855,000 passengers between January and June.
Image above: from Dublin Airport Peter Chambers, Group Head of Asset Care; Mary Kerins, Head of Health Safety Sustainability & Environment; Martin McGonagle, Head of Asset Care – Campus and Emer Tierney, Corporate Environmental Manager pictured at the announcement of Dublin Airport’s Carbon Accreditation Renewal.
