Compliance · Airport Carbon Accreditation

ACA support for airports, from mapping to neutrality

Progressive airports manage their carbon and use high-quality offsetting as a central part of their strategy — many going beyond compliance to become carbon neutral. Our team includes ACA-certified verifiers.

Airport Carbon Accreditation programme
ACA-certified verifiers

A full range of aviation carbon services

Carbon Footprint Ltd has particular specialism in the airport, airline and aerospace industry — supporting you whether you are just starting your journey or already have a programme in place.

  • Appraisals & Verification — carbon footprint appraisals and verification.
  • Software & offsetting — software, carbon offset projects and energy management.
  • Specialist support — health & safety consultancy and ACA-certified verifiers.
Airport terminal and apron
Airport, airline & aerospace

The six ACA levels

Airport Carbon Accreditation is rapidly gaining momentum — over 500 airports globally have now achieved Level 1 or greater. The programme has six levels of achievement.

LEVEL 01

Mapping

Demonstrate robust mapping of their carbon footprint.

LEVEL 02

Reducing

Showing reduction of the carbon footprint within consecutive years.

LEVEL 03

Optimisation

Optimising their carbon footprint through engagement within their supply chain.

LEVEL 04

Neutrality

Offsetting their carbon footprint via high-quality, internationally certified projects.

LEVEL 05

Transformation

Transforming airport operations and those of its business partners to achieve absolute emissions reductions.

LEVEL 06

Transition

Compensation for residual emissions with reliable offsets.

High-integrity carbon offset project

ACA-compliant carbon offsetting for Level 3+

Carbon Footprint is successfully assisting airport clients to ACA Level 3+ carbon neutrality, through our global portfolio of internationally certified carbon offset projects. Popular projects include reforestation, projects with social and health benefits in developing communities, and renewables — spanning Europe, US/Central/South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia.

  • Quality Assurance Standard (QAS) — Carbon Footprint is accredited to the QAS for our carbon offsetting.
  • Independently audited — to a vigorous 40-point audit schedule for your peace of mind.

High-integrity ways to reach neutrality

Source offsets from internationally certified projects across our global portfolio.

High Integrity Carbon Credits

Internationally certified credits for ACA Level 3+ carbon neutrality.

More information

International Tree Planting

Reforestation projects with social and environmental co-benefits.

More information

Carbon Removal Projects

Durable removals to complement reductions across your operation.

More information

Other legislation & reporting

Beyond ACA, leading airports manage a wider set of energy, carbon and sustainability obligations.

Other legislation that may impact you

SECR (Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting) — if you are listed on the FTSE Main Market you must do this; we expect all large entities to be required in future. ESOS — mandatory energy audits for qualifying organisations. ISO 50001 (Energy Management System) provides an alternative compliance route for ESOS and is popular within the sector.

SECR, ESOS & ISO 50001

Sustainability & environmental reporting

Leading businesses now produce a formal Sustainability or Environmental report, often to support their Annual Report & Accounts. If you are based in the EU or US you may also be obliged to report under International Carbon Reporting requirements — complete a CDP submission for your supply chain or voluntarily, or use the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) free format/template.

International Carbon Reporting
SECR ESOS ISO 50001 CDP GRI

Discuss sustainability solutions for your airport

Talk to our aviation team about ACA verification, footprint appraisals and Level 3+ carbon offsetting.

Book a Consultation → CORSIA for Airlines