ACI introduced the initiative during the COP31 side event, Taking Airport Climate Action to the Next Level: From Türkiye to the World. ACI Europe organised the event with Türkiye’s General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI), Antalya Airport, İGA Istanbul Airport and YDA Dalaman Airport.
The gathering took place at the Türkiye Pavilion within the COP31 Blue Zone. Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, opened the event.
Airport executives, aviation representatives and government stakeholders discussed carbon management progress and pathways towards aviation’s net-zero emissions ambition for 2050.
New recognition programme extends airport carbon management
Airport Partner Carbon Recognition introduces a framework for airport service providers to participate directly in decarbonisation efforts. The programme covers Scope 1, Scope 2 and selected Scope 3 emissions arising from participating companies’ activities.
It encourages businesses operating within airports to measure their carbon footprints, establish management processes and implement emissions reduction measures.
Importantly, the initiative also helps airport operators address Scope 3 emissions associated with external service providers. The first organisations to receive Airport Partner Carbon Recognition represent several areas of airport operations.
- BFA Antalya Havalimanları Yiyecek ve İçecek Hizmetleri A.Ş. and ATU Antalya Mağaza İşletmeciliği A.Ş., operating at Antalya Airport.
- Bradford Swissport Limited, for its operations at Heathrow Airport.
- SITA, for its operations at Budapest Airport.
- Joramco and Dnata, for their operations at Amman Queen Alia International Airport.
These participants illustrate the programme’s application across airport retail, food and beverage, aviation technology and ground services.
Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe Director General and Chair of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Board, commented: “Airport climate action has over the years become a cornerstone of the efforts to reduce and manage carbon emissions from aviation. The progress in this regard has been exemplary, as we now boast more than 600 airports across the globe actively managing their carbon footprint. But airports cannot “fix” aviation’s climate impact on their own – collaboration is absolutely key. It is therefore with great pride that we are launching a new programme today allowing airports and their service providers to engage even deeper in collaboration to advance airport decarbonisation worldwide. Hats off to SITA, Bradford Swissport Limited, Joramco, Dnata, BFA Antalya and ATU Antalya for taking the leap to join the pilot programme and blaze the trail for the airport supplier community – your leadership is truly inspiring.”
Turkish airports recognised for carbon accreditation achievements
The COP31 event also highlighted recent progress among Turkish airports participating in Airport Carbon Accreditation. DHMI currently operates 45 accredited airports, giving it Europe’s largest number of accredited airports under a single operator.
Meanwhile, Antalya Airport has achieved Level 4+ accreditation, while İGA Istanbul Airport has reached Level 4. Both levels require airports to pursue carbon reduction pathways aligned with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement. YDA Dalaman Airport also received recognition for achieving Level 3+ accreditation.
These milestones reflect the adoption of structured emissions measurement, reduction strategies and carbon management practices across Turkey’s airport network. The recognition also highlights the role of Turkish airports in the wider international accreditation programme.
How many airports reached global accreditation so far?
ACI also presented the Airport Carbon Accreditation Annual Report Year 17 during the COP31 event. The report covers May 2025 through May 2026 and documents continued growth in airport participation and accreditation performance.
By May 2026, the programme included 636 accredited airports across 93 countries on five continents. During the reporting year, 70 airports entered the programme, while another 110 progressed to higher accreditation levels. The report also identifies increasing participation in advanced carbon management certification.
Worldwide, 121 airports reached Levels 4 or 4+, representing 23.5% growth compared with the previous reporting period. Furthermore, 30 airports achieved Level 5, the programme’s highest accreditation level, representing a 43% annual increase.
Level 5 recognises airports achieving a net-zero carbon balance for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Participating airports must also commit to reaching net-zero emissions across Scope 3 activities. The programme’s environmental performance indicators show measurable reductions in emissions.
Accredited airports collectively reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 160,024 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This represents a 2.6% reduction compared with the three-year rolling average.
Average emissions intensity also declined, reaching 1.47 kilograms of CO₂e per passenger. Measured per traffic unit, average emissions fell to 1.29 kilograms of CO₂e. These figures represent respective reductions of 22% and 19% against the three-year rolling average.
Airport service providers gain a role in decarbonisation
The introduction of Airport Partner Carbon Recognition broadens the scope of collaborative emissions management within airport environments. Airport operators directly control certain emissions sources, including their own infrastructure, equipment and energy consumption. However, external companies also generate emissions through commercial activities, passenger services, ground operations and other airport functions.
Addressing these emissions requires cooperation between airport management and the businesses operating within airport facilities.
The new programme creates a voluntary framework for recognising such efforts and encouraging consistent carbon management practices. For airport service companies, participation provides a structured approach to monitoring emissions and identifying reduction opportunities. At the same time, airport operators can strengthen engagement with commercial partners as they pursue higher accreditation levels.
The initiative complements Airport Carbon Accreditation rather than replacing its existing certification framework. With global participation continuing to increase, ACI aims to extend climate action beyond airport operators and across their business ecosystems.
The launch at COP31 marks another step towards coordinated emissions management among airports, service providers and aviation industry partners.
Tags: Antalya Airport Airports Council International (ACI)
