Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTHA) has boosted its green credentials by achieving Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of ACI’s benchmark Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme.
Moreover, the airport achieved this – the highest level in the CO2 reduction programme – at the first attempt, which RTHA says is testament to its carbon management strategy, which is fully aligned with global climate goals.
The airport emphasises how attaining Level 4+ represents “a step change in the carbon management of an airport, requiring setup of a long-term goal and strategy oriented towards absolute emissions reductions, including an emissions trajectory and interim milestones”. RTHA’s actions to realise tangible CO2 emissions reductions of its own emissions are now aligned with the Paris Agreement (global warming limited to 1.5°C). The airport adds that it has also included broader emissions in its carbon footprint that include all the significant operational sources on- and off-site.
“Level 4+ accreditation is a recognition of our efforts in recent years to weave sustainability into the airport’s DNA and into our plans for the future,” remarks Michelle Samson, strategy and sustainability advisor at RTHA. “We want to reduce our impact on the environment and the climate and thus assume our social and environmental responsibility. We have a goal of becoming emission-free for all airport ground operations in 2030 and all land-related activities by 2045. With Level 4+, all steps towards achieving this objective have now been independently assessed and accredited.”