Airport is first in Scotland to reach Level 4 in Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) scheme.

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 (ACA) 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.

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.
• Working with our airlines and airport partners on understanding science-based targets at the airport to achieve a reduction to emissions.
• 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.

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.

Edinburgh Airport is now part of VINCI Airports’ network, the world leading private airport operator and one of the most important contributors to the Airport Carbon Accreditation.

All of its +70 airports are part of this program, and its ambition is to reach net zero emission for its European and UK airports by 2030. Four airports have already reached the net zero emission, Level 5, in Toulon Hyères in France and Beja, Madeira and Ponta Delgada in Portugal.

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.