Budapest Airport sign up to the “Toulouse Declaration” reinforcing the industry’s commitment to a net zero future
Budapest, Hungary, 2022-Feb-08 — /Travel PR News/ — As the “Toulouse Declaration” today (2022.02.04) marks a new chapter in Europe’s journey towards aviation’s net zero 2050 goal, airports from across the continent have emerged as one of the strongest voices driving the initiative forwards.
The Toulouse Declaration marks the first time that European governments, the European Commission, industry, unions and other key stakeholders formally align on aviation decarbonization. It is a highly significant moment, paving the way for concrete next steps, both in the establishment of an EU Pact for Aviation Decarbonization, and globally, as we look to the UN’s ICAO to set a global goal for international aviation later this year.
Airports have long been first movers in leading the challenge of decarbonizing aviation. With almost 200 European airports now certified under the Airport Carbon Accreditation program and close to 400 airports globally, making tangible progress towards airports reaching net zero carbon emissions for operations under their control by 2050. European airports jointly made this public undertaking in 2019, and have since reconfirmed this goal, with a number of airports publishing roadmaps taking them to this target by 2030 and a handful of trailblazers already there. They are also actively engaging with their business partners and stakeholders to advance the decarbonization of the broader air transport system.
ACI EUROPE’s signing of the Declaration, both in its own right and as a partner in the Destination 2050 aviation industry roadmap, is now complemented by the individual undertaking of over 200 airports across the continent adding their signatures.
Budapest Airport was awarded ACI carbon neutral accreditation for the fourth time last year, continuing to be one of 58 airports in the world that operate in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner, fully offsetting the carbon emissions generated by their operations. According to last year’s assessment, only 58 airports globally are carbon neutral, like Ferenc Liszt International Airport; they are the ones that currently meet the stringent requirements specified by ACI for level 3+. This means that, thanks to its consistent environmental strategy, the company is working with its airport partners to reduce emissions from its operations as much as possible and neutralizes the remaining emissions, by purchasing carbon credits. Budapest Airport is committed to achieve level 4+, thanks to efforts to be implemented in the next few years, placing it amongst the global leaders of the world’s airports in terms of sustainable operation and emissions reduction. Only 14 airports in the world currently meet the requirements for the highest levels, 4 and 4+, set in 2020.
Olivier Jankovec, the 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.”
Chris Dinsdale, the CEO of Budapest Airport commented: “Budapest Airport once again took huge steps in 2021 to maintain its carbon neutral operations and achieve its sustainability goals. Last year, the company further reduced its direct carbon dioxide emissions, which are now half the level of ten years ago, while emissions per passenger were only one third of 2011 levels. In 2021, Budapest Airport set itself the primary goal of achieving net zero emissions 15 years earlier than the previous commitment, by 2035 at the latest, through the so-called zero carbon roadmap.” He added: “If we continue along the path that we have started, we could be the first airport in the region to achieve net zero carbon emissions. 2035 is not far away, so we are working hard on a detailed net carbon roadmap, which will ensure that we reach zero emissions by at least 15 years earlier than the 2050 target date set by the Paris Agreement on climate change.”
A full list of ACI EUROPE member signatories to the Toulouse Declaration can be found here.
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Source: Budapest Airport
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