Swedavia becomes the world’s first carbon neutral national airport group

Sweden’s national airport group, Swedavia today received the distinction of becoming the world’s first national airport group to achieve carbon neutrality across its suite of 10 airports.

The airports in question collectively welcome over 31 million passengers a year. In order to attain the ‘Neutrality’ certification within Airport Carbon Accreditation, they have had to reduce their own CO2 emissions, engage others at their airports to reduce their CO2 and finally, purchase carbon offsets for any remaining CO2 emissions under their control.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE commented “Over the past 3 years, Airport Carbon Accreditation has seen a number of breakthroughs, but today’s announcement is a very big moment. Four years ago, European airports committed to reducing their carbon emissions with the ultimate goal of becoming carbon neutral. A short time later, Stockholm-Arlanda became the very first carbon neutral airport, leading for the way for others. Today, Swedavia’s entire airport group has achieved that, becoming very first carbon neutral national airport group.”

He added “Airports are complicated spaces, with many partners working together, but somebody has to lead. For an airport group the size of Swedavia to have achieved ‘Neutrality’ at each of its airports is no small feat. This is not just a major achievement within the airport industry. It is a substantial example of how an airport group can lead by example for other businesses beyond aviation.”

Torborg Chetkovich, CEO, Swedavia AB commented “Today’s achievement is an important acknowledgement that we operate resource efficient airports. At the end of the day, this means that we are able to make the most of our capacity as well as offering our customers more opportunities in order to develop airline connections to, from and within Sweden.”

Initially launched in Europe in June 2009, the independent, institutionally endorsed¹ voluntary programme Airport Carbon Accreditation certifies airport at one of 4 available levels of certification (‘Mapping’, ‘Reduction’, ‘Optimisation’ and ‘Neutrality’).

As of today, some 67 airports welcoming over 53% of European passenger traffic each year, are now Airport Carbon Accredited. In November 2011, the programme expanded to the Asia-Pacific region, gaining the support of ICAO at that time too. Currently, 5 airports in Asia-Pacific are already accredited.

Other European airports which have achieved ‘Neutrality’ include Avinor’s Oslo and Trondheim in Norway and Malpensa & Linate airports, operated by regional airport group SEA Milan Airports.