Swedavia achieves world first as Net Zero CO2 operations are announced across its ten airports
30 March 2021
ACI EUROPE chief highlights industry’s sustainability commitment, and renews call for investment support to realise goals
ACI EUROPE has today welcomed the announcement from Swedish airport group Swedavia that all ten of its airports – including the Stockholm-Arlanda hub – have now achieved Net Zero CO2 emissions across all operations under their control – a world first. Swedavia thus also becomes the first company to deliver on the European airport industry pledge to become Net Zero by 2050 at the latest.
Marking the milestone as it published its Annual and Sustainability Report, Swedavia mapped out its next steps in its commitment to climate change, by supporting other companies and organisations at its airports in further transforming their own operations with a focus on climate change.
The landmark announcement was hailed as a step-change moment by ACI EUROPE's Director General, Olivier Jankovec: “Swedavia’s achievement is the culmination of a tireless focus on a sustainable future. Realising their ambition to reach fossil-free operations across all ten of their airports is a testament to the commitment, innovation and vision they have shown for many years. We congratulate them wholeheartedly on this remarkable achievement – in the most challenging of times”.
ACI EUROPE also highlighted the increasing challenges faced by airports as they strive towards decarbonisation. The European airport industry has led the way in tangible planning and achievements towards Net Zero; first with its innovative Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, launched over ten years ago and now rolled out worldwide, and subsequently via its commitment to Net Zero 2050, publicly made in 2019.
However, the devastating effect of the global pandemic has made the challenging task of decarbonising aviation even more daunting, says Jankovec. “The track record of our members, and our industry, illustrates that we lead the way in the decarbonisation worldwide” he said. “Through the ongoing ambition of our Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, further enhanced through the introduction of two new accreditation levels, our close involvement in the European aviation sector’s recent Destination 2050 roadmap, and our call for the EU to join us in a Pact for Sustainable Aviation this year, we continue to strive towards our climate goals in tangible and actionable ways. Our ambition remains undimmed.
“But make no mistake. Decarbonisation takes investment. This pandemic has dealt Europe’s airports a crippling blow. With over 1.72 billion passengers lost across the network in 2020, resulting in lost revenues exceeding €32 billion, a renewed support of Governments and Institutions as we chart our path to a more sustainable recovery is crucial. Yet, we still need to see the EU walk the talk on that – not least by allowing airports to access funding under the EU Resilience and Recovery Facility."
“Swedavia shows us what is possible. Our commitment to Building Back Better remains undiminished. Let’s work together with a vision of realising common goals”.