Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito has reached a historic milestone by becoming the first airport in Latin America and the Caribbean to receive Level 4+ ‘Transition’ certification in the Carbon Footprint Accreditation Program for Airports, promoted by the Airports Council International (ACI). Thanks to the initiative of Corporación Quiport, the Mariscal Sucre International Airport has been part of this program since 2015.
The Airport Carbon Footprint Accreditation Program (ACA) is an initiative led by ACI that aims to help airports around the world manage and reduce their environmental impact, especially in terms of carbon emissions. This program is based on the evaluation and certification of the actions implemented by airports to reduce their carbon footprint, with different levels of certification that reflect progress and commitment in the matter.
The different levels of certification in the ACA program are as follows:
- Level 1 Mapping: At this level, airports carry out an inventory of their carbon emissions, identifying the main sources of emissions.
- Level 2 Reduction: Airports at this level develop and implement an action plan to reduce their carbon emissions, focusing on concrete measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel consumption.
- Level 3 Optimization: At this level, airports continue to reduce their carbon emissions and work collaboratively with other stakeholders, such as airlines, suppliers and local communities, to promote sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
- Level 3+ Neutrality: Airports that achieve this level demonstrate that they have fully offset their remaining carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits or investing in carbon offset projects.
- Level 4 Transformation: Airports at this level have not only achieved carbon neutrality but have also implemented innovative and strategic measures to further reduce their carbon footprint and promote long-term sustainable practices.
- Level 4+ Transition: airports achieve this level by offsetting residual emissions with reliable counterparts.
- Level 5: This is the highest level of certification in the ACA program. Airports maintain a net zero balance on Scope 1 and 2 emissions and actively address Scope 3 emissions, strengthen the third-party engagement approach and offset residual emissions.
This is the path towards neutrality and decarbonization of operations undertaken by Quiport and Quito airport: level 1 Mapping was obtained in 2015, level 2 Reduction was obtained in 2017, level 3 Optimization in 2018, level 3+ Neutrality in 2019, certification that was renewed in 2021 and 2022. In 2023 Quiport applied to the airport directly to level 4+ Transition, after having completed the activities for level 4 Transformation – which consist of tracing the route towards the decarbonization of its operations by 2035 – and compensate residual emissions through carbon credits from certified projects, a requirement for level 4+ Transition.
These actions reflect the commitment of Quiport and the Quito airport to environmental sustainability and their leadership in the implementation of measures to reduce carbon emissions and promote more eco-efficient air transport.
This distinction positions Mariscal Sucre Airport as an international benchmark in the fight against climate change and sets a high standard for other airports in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Corporación Quiport and the entire airport community are proud of this achievement and reaffirm their commitment to continue working towards a more sustainable and resilient future for future generations.
