A verified carbon footprint should be submitted
In order to remain at Level 1, an airport should submit a carbon footprint of scope 1 and scope 2 emissions on an annual basis along with payment of the Level 1 renewal fee. This carbon footprint must be independently verified every second year.
Any changes to the scope of emissions reported, either due to changes in organisational or operational boundaries or through the voluntary incorporation of reporting on Scope 3 emissions, should be described in the renewal application. Footprint data should be reported to the Administrator in such a way that facilitates like for like comparison with the original scope.
The requirements of Level 2 participation comprise:
Submission of a verified carbon footprint and demonstration that all other Level 1 participation requirements have been fulfilled. The base year for targets set by the airport must also be verified for Level 2 applications.
Development and submission of a Carbon Management Plan covering activities over which the airport has direct control. These activities will have been defined during the preparation of the airport’s carbon footprint in line with Level 1 requirements and are likely to include:
On-site combustion – boilers, generators, fire exercises;
Airport owned vehicles – airside transit, company cars;
Purchased electricity for airport consumption;
On site waste treatment.
Identification of the emissions improvement metric to be used (absolute or relative targets) (see section 7.14 for further guidance)
Demonstration of improvement in the chosen emissions improvement metric vs. the average of the past three years (see section ). It is possible to join or upgrade to Level 2 without having 3 years of historical data. Please refer to section for guidance.
5.1Requirements For Annual Renewal At Level 2
In order to remain accredited at Level 2 an airport should fulfil the following requirements on an annual basis.
Annual submission of a carbon footprint comprising scope 1 and 2 emissions over which the airport has direct control (as per Level 1). This carbon footprint must be independently verified every second year.
Demonstration of on-going improvement in the chosen improvement metric. Note: there are exceptional circumstances where an increase in emissions may be acceptable. Please refer to detailed guidance on this is Chapter 10.7.
Explanation of how major infrastructure changes have impacted on improvement metric. For example, the opening of a new terminal may increase the emissions or emissions per traffic unit in the following year. It should be possible to demonstrate how the underlying emissions or emissions per traffic unit (without the new terminal) have reduced.
Submission of a revised carbon management plan at least every 3 years, the specific activities undertaken and showing how the airport has responded to:
Changing organisational and operation circumstances;
Revised scientific evidence of climate change and expectations of corporate behaviour;
Development and accessibility of new technologies and management processes.
5.2 Essential Features Of A Carbon Management Plan
In order to demonstrate that it is undertaking effective carbon management an airport should address the following features. These are further explained in the Application Assessment Form (Admin Doc 1) and further guidance is given in section 8 of this guidance document.
The airport should:
show it has a low carbon/low energy policy
show that a senior committee or body has responsibility for climate change/carbon/energy matters
show how it communicates emissions performance to relevant stakeholders
show it has procedures for preparing and checking an accurate carbon footprint
show it undertakes awareness training about emissions for staff
show it has a process of self-assessment & auditing to monitor progress of improvement delivery.
6Level 3 Requirements
Level 3 logo
6.1Basic Level 3 Requirements
The requirements of Level 3 participation comprise:
Fulfil all the requirements of participation at Levels 1 & 2, including:
Submission of a verified carbon footprint. The base year must also be verified for Level 3 applications if it has not already been verified during Level 2 participation;
On-going implementation and maintenance of the Carbon Management Plan;
Demonstration of improvement in the chosen emissions metric vs. the average of the past three years (see section ). It is possible to join or upgrade to Level 3 without having 3 years of historical data. Please refer to section for guidance.
What airports have to do to attain Level 3
Expansion of the scope of the carbon footprint to include specific Scope 3 emissions sources. These will comprise emissions from activities that are central to the airports operation and that an airport can be expected to guide or have a significant influence over. Emission sources required to be included within the scope of the footprint for participation at Level 3 are:
The LTO cycle as defined by the ICAO Airport Air Quality Guidance Manual (Doc No. 9889) and all ground running operations including auxiliary power units (APU), fixed ground power and ground service equipment.
Surface (passenger and airport company staff) access
Airport company staff business travel.
Other significant CO2 emissions sources which the airport may be able to guide or influence, for example emissions from metered electricity that is sold on to tenants at the airport.
Submission of a verified carbon footprint including Scope 3 emission sources.
Evidence of activities (e.g., committees, training, incentives, projects, etc.) to engage stakeholders (covering major activities over which the airport does not have direct control), such as airlines, ground handlers, staff, passengers, transport planners. Please refer to Section 12 on engaging stakeholders for guidance.
