A High-Quality CO₂ Strategy for a Western European Airport
A roadmap to Airport Carbon Accreditation with high-quality climate projects that go beyond emission reduction
The situation
An international airport in Western Europe has taken responsibility for its emissions across Scope 1, Scope 2, and business travel (Scope 3). As a participant in the international Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Programme, the airport has been certified at ACA Level 4+ since October 2024, placing it among the 62 best-performing airports worldwide.
To take the next step towards ACA Level 5 (Net Zero), the airport partnered with Anthesis to develop a long-term compensation strategy through to 2035. The strategy focuses on investing in high-quality CO₂ projects that deliver benefits for the climate, biodiversity, and local communities.
Our solutions
Anthesis supported the airport’s sustainability team in developing a compensation strategy aligned with ACA requirements, the Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Offsetting, and the organisation’s broader sustainability ambitions.
The strategy sets out a progressive shift from avoidance credits to removal credits, with only removals used from 2030 onwards, in line with ACA Level 5 criteria.
Project selection emphasises the quality, geographical relevance, and co-benefits, with a focus on:
- Avoidance projects: clean cookstoves, safe drinking water, and household biogas
- Removal projects: reforestation, agroforestry, mangroves, biochar, and innovative technologies such as Direct Air Capture
Impact of the project
- Annual increase in removals: The share of removals will gradually increase until 2029. From 2030 onwards, only removals will be used in line with ACA Level 5.
- Geographical focus: Projects in Latin America, Africa, and Asia reflect the airport’s international destinations.
- Co-benefits: Projects deliver additional impacts such as improved health, gender equality, economic development, and biodiversity restoration.
- Clear roadmap to ACA Level 5: A concrete action plan towards full removals from 2030, ensuring readiness to meet the highest ACA standards.
- Broader value creation: Projects contribute to climate goals, as well as social and ecological benefits aligned with the SDGs.
- Industry leadership: Investments in a robust strategy demonstrate leadership and position the airport as a pioneer in sustainable compensation.
Explore our Carbon Credits & Projects solutions
Anthesis helps organisations make the impact of their remaining CO₂ emissions measurable and verifiable. Through high-quality climate projects, you can support your climate ambitions, create social value, and take tangible steps towards a future-proof organisation.
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We are the world’s leading purpose driven, digitally enabled, science-based activator. And always welcome inquiries and partnerships to drive positive change together.
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