This makes Brussels Airport the first airport in Belgium to achieve the second highest level of accreditation in the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.
This ACA programme, launched by ACI Europe, is the only internationally recognised standard that independently assesses and certifies airports' efforts to manage and reduce carbon emissions.
The programme aims to guide participating airports towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. At Brussels Airport, we remain committed to the ambition of achieving 'net zero carbon' as an airport operator by 2030.
Brussels Airport has participated in the ACA programme since 2009. A significant milestone was achieved in 2018 when we received the ACA Level 3+ "Carbon neutralilty" certificate. Today, out of the 591 airports participating in the ACA system worldwide, Brussels Airport ranks among the 67 best-performing airports at Level 4+ or above (Level 5).
On Thursday 17 October, Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, officially received the ACA Level 4+ certificate from Olivier Jankovec, director-general of ACI.
From Level 3+ Neutrality to Level 4+ Transition
To transition from Level 3+ to 4+, Brussels Airport incorporated additional emission sources into its calculations, in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. This includes the impact of purchased goods and services, waste and wastewater treatment. Additionally, Level 4+ includes full-flight emissions for all departing flights. At lower levels, this is limited to the emissions during landing and take-off.
Additionally, Brussels Airport has developed a Carbon Management Plan, outlining the actions the airport operator will take in the coming years to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. This includes converting our existing boiler plant rooms that heat the airport buildings to a fossil-free alternative, replacing old buildings with new fossil-free heated buildings, electrifying company cars and service vehicles, etc.
A Stakeholder Partnership Plan was also developed in collaboration with airport partners, outlining the measures Brussels Airport and its partners are taking to reduce carbon emissions at the airport.
With the newly acquired ACA Level 4+ accreditation, Brussels Airport is one step closer to achieving Level 5. What that means is explained in this video.
Also read the press release.