The airport of Lanzarote has just renewed the certification that accredits it at level 2 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program for the reduction of emissions of CO2, promoted by the International Airports Council, after meeting, once again, the necessary requirements.
This accreditation reflects the airport's commitment to improving its environmental performance and to the implementation of measures aimed at reducing the impact of its activity on climate change.
The program specifically recognizes the work carried out in the measurement, verification, and reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions derived from activities under Aena's direct control.
To maintain level 2, César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport has verified its carbon footprint through an independent entity and has implemented a Carbon Management Plan aimed at reducing its emissions, in accordance with the requirements established by the international program.
Among the actions developed in Lanzarote, the monitoring and control of emissions associated with energy consumption and fossil fuels in the airport facilities stand out, as well as the implementation of energy efficiency and emission reduction initiatives within its scope of action.
What does each of the 5 levels imply?
Level 1 is the starting point with which airports calculate their carbon footprint, while level 2, which Lanzarote Airport revalidates, consists of independently measuring carbon dioxide emissions derived from activities under its direct control.
To reach level 3, optimization, airports must expand the scope of their work and involve third parties operating in their facilities, such as catering companies, terminal shops, and ground transportation, so that they also reduce their emissions.
Level 4, held by airports such as Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, or Palma de Mallorca, is achieved by defining a roadmap with very demanding quantitative targets for the absolute decarbonization of operations.
To obtain level 5, "zero emissions," an airport must reduce to the maximum, at least 90%, all direct and indirect emissions.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat and Palma de Mallorca airports remain at level 4, while Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández, Málaga-Costa del Sol and Ibiza airports achieve this same level for the first time. Menorca Airport has renewed level 3 and Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport moves up to level 2 for the first time.
Ten other airports in the network that joined the ACA program last year will move up to level 2 before the end of 2026. Specifically, these are Valencia, Seville, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur, Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna, Bilbao, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera.
On the other hand, Región de Murcia International Airport and Zaragoza Airport will participate this year for the first time in the program with different accreditation levels.
The global carbon management certification program (Airport Carbon Accreditation) has accredited 663 airports worldwide. It independently assesses and recognizes airports that are at different stages of their journey towards comprehensive management of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, through different certification levels. Compliance with accreditation requirements is audited by an independent entity and follows a strict external verification process.