Sofia Airport is also part of the agreement to combat climate change
ACI EUROPE, Brussels, 4 February 2022: Today’s ‘Toulouse Declaration’ marks a new milestone towards the goal of zero net emissions in aviation by 2050, and airports across Europe have become the most prominent symbols of the initiative.
The Toulouse Declaration marks the first time that European governments, the European Commission, industry, trade unions and other key stakeholders have formally agreed on decarbonisation in aviation. This is a crucial milestone that paves the way at EU level for the creation of an Aviation Decarbonisation Pact, but also globally, with ICAO* expected to set the global target for international aviation this year.
Airports have long been leaders in the fight against carbon emissions – in Europe, 200 are now certified under the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme and globally the number is growing to around 400. In this way, achieving zero net carbon emissions for operations under airport control by 2050 continues to make tangible progress. European airports jointly made this public commitment in 2019 and have been following it ever since, with many announcing roadmaps to reach their 2030 target. Airports are also engaging their business partners and other stakeholders to decarbonise across the air transport system.
The signing of the declaration by ACI EUROPE, both as a stand-alone institution and as a partner in the aviation industry’s Destination 2050 roadmap, is now complemented by the individual commitment of more than 200 airports across the continent.
“Protecting the environment is not just a matter of regulatory requirements, but also a public attitude towards carbon neutrality and care for nature. Our immediate goal this year is to achieve Level 3 of the ACI EUROPE Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme,” says Jesús Caballero, CEO of Sofia Airport.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said: “Each and every airport undersigning this Declaration is making a tangible difference to our future as an industry, as an economy and as a society. They continue to demonstrate ambition, vision and excellence in their sustainable actions. I admire and applaud each and every one of them.”
A full list of ACI EUROPE member signatories to the Toulouse Declaration can be found here
*International Civil Aviation Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
**View the latest Airport Carbon Accreditation participation figures here.
ACI EUROPE is the European division of Airports Council International (ACI), the world’s only professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents over 500 airports in 55 countries. Members of the organisation facilitate over 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe. Air transport supports 13.5 million jobs, generating €886 billion in economic activity (4.4% of GDP).