Zurich Airport Brasil advances in international carbon emissions management accreditation for airports

Airports Council International for Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) is pleased to report that the three airports operated by Zurich Airport Brasil in the country – Floripa Airport (Santa Catarina), Vitória Airport (Espirito Santo) and Macaé Airport (Rio de Janeiro) – have just achieved level 2 “Reduction” of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) certification, granted by ACI.

The certification is the result of the implementation of programs aligned with the ambitious but necessary goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050, i.e. zeroing the net balance of greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century. Among the projects that have led to international recognition are the use of drones for runway inspections, which reduces the emission of 7.5 tons of carbon dioxide per year at the three airports, and the 400 hertz project, which starts operating in December this year at the Florianópolis and Vitória terminals. With this initiative, the concessionaire will avoid emitting more than 2,500 tons of CO2 per year.

In addition, the certification reinforces the importance of the innovative Carbon Flow, a system developed 100% by Zurich Airport Brasil employees, capable of mapping the carbon footprint and creating solutions to reduce environmental impact. The software was awarded the “Green Airport Recognition” in 2021 at the Annual Conference of the Airports Council International of Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) in Mexico.

“Sustainability is one of Zurich Airport Brasil’s values and advancing to ACA certification proves that our commitment to the environment is genuine and that our efforts result in practical actions. This recognition also encourages us to continue advancing with our ESG strategies,” says Ricardo Gesse, CEO of Zurich Airport Brasil.

The ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation program currently has more than 500 certified airports worldwide. In Latin America and the Caribbean, there are 71 ACI-LAC member airports that are actively committed to climate action. Among them, 8 are in Brazil: Brasilia International Airport, Rio de Janeiro International Airport and Santos Dumont Airport (level 1 – “Mapping”); Belo Horizonte International Airport, Florianópolis International Airport, Vitória International Airport, Macaé Airport (level 2 – “Reduction”); and Salvador International Airport (level 3 – “Optimization”).

ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation is the only global carbon management certification program approved for airports. It independently assesses and recognizes airports’ efforts to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through 6 levels of certification:

Level 1 ‘Mapping’: Airport maps its carbon footprint, identifies sources and calculates annual emissions.

Level 2 ‘Reduction’: Airport proves emissions reduction with evidence of procedures and compliance with carbon management targets.

Level 3 ‘Optimization’: Airport expands the scope of emissions reduction and involves third parties in the process.

Level 3+ ‘Neutrality’: Airport meets the requirements of the previous stages and offsets the remaining emissions with carbon credits.

Level 4 ‘Transformation’: Airport defines long-term carbon management strategy oriented towards absolute emissions reduction.

Level 4+ ‘Transition’: In addition to complying with the previous steps, the airport offsets the residual carbon emissions over which it has control.

ACI-LAC’s Director General, Rafael Echevarne, celebrates Zurich Airport Brasil’s achievement, stating that “the progress of Floripa Airport, Vitoria Airport and Macaé Airport towards Level 2 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program is confirmation of Zurich Airport Brasil’s commitment to making aviation more sustainable for the benefit of the sector, users and society. We recognize and celebrate the commitment of our partner in reaching this milestone and reiterate the importance of Zurich’s example, since it operates airports with different profiles in Brazil and this demonstrates the possibility of implementing the program, no matter the size or location of the terminal.”

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