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Adelaide and Parafield Airports have become the first in Australia to achieve the highest level of carbon accreditation from Airport Council International.
Both airports have reached level 5 carbon accreditation, which requires “maintaining a Net Zero carbon balance on Scopes 1 and 2, and actively addressing Scope 3 emissions sources”. It comes after Adelaide last December became the first major Australian airport to achieve carbon neutrality.
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“Our participation in this program is recognition of the importance of long-term sustainability to aviation sector and the value of collaboration to achieve our industry goals,” airport managing director Brenton Cox said.
“Achievement of Level 5 accreditation validates that we have transitioned from carbon management to decarbonisation, with credible evidence of emissions reduction and long-term planning.
“Our sustainability and decarbonisation efforts aim to create long-term value for our shareholders and our customers who represent the broader community.”
Adelaide Airport in 2024 embarked on a major expansion of its solar panel infrastructure to triple solar capacity, with on-site solar now generating more than 15 per cent of the domestic and international terminals’ electricity needs. The rest of the airport’s electricity consumption is purchased from a South Australian wind farm.
According to Stefano Baronci, director general of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, Adelaide and Parafield Airports “have demonstrated strong leadership in advancing environmental sustainability”.
“Achieving Level 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme reflects their sustained effort and collaboration with stakeholders to reduce emissions and this accomplishment aligns perfectly with airport industry’s shared vision of achieving net zero goals by 2050,” he said.
“Asia-Pacific is the second region in the world with the highest number of Level 5 accredited airports, six in total, with airports in India, Australia, and New Zealand joining this exclusive club.
“We hope this milestone encourages other airports in the region to continue strengthening their environmental performance and contributing to a more sustainable aviation sector.”
Sustainability has become an increasing focus for airports as the industry looks to reduce its carbon footprint. Cairns Airport last year signed a deal to transition to 100 per cent renewable energy from 2025, while Brisbane in 2023 became the first in Australia to achieve ACI’s Level 4 Airport Carbon Accreditation.
Newcastle Airport earlier this year was the first in the country to achieve level 4+, at the time the highest carbon accreditation on offer.
