Accelerating Climate & Nature Leadership with Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA)

Confidently meet rising expectations. Advance credible action. Create long term value.

aerial view of airport

Director

North America

Associate Director, Carbon Markets EMEA

London

Nils van Veen

Nils van Veen

Senior Consultant

Airports are critical hubs for regional connectivity, economic vitality, and community prosperity. Yet they are also at the forefront of the climate and nature crises – facing increasing scrutiny from regulators, passengers, investors, and local communities. In this context, climate and nature performance is no longer optional: it is a core business determinant that shapes resilience, competitiveness, and future growth.

What is the ACA?

Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) provides the globally recognised framework for airports to measure, manage, reduce, and credibly address their carbon impact. As the only international, airport‑specific carbon management programme, ACA offers a structured pathway through Levels 1–5, supporting airports to strengthen their climate strategy and performance. More than 600 airports worldwide are now accredited – signalling a sector-wide shift towards sustainable performance, integrated risk management, and nature‑positive, net‑zero aligned pathways.

Anthesis helps airports progress along their ACA journey while embedding climate, nature, and equity considerations into strategic decision-making. Our support equips airports to close the execution gap, allocate capital credibly, and deliver tangible, high-integrity climate action. With expertise across decarbonisation, resilience, and nature strategy, Anthesis enables airports to navigate both ACA requirements and wider environmental disclosure expectations.

Navigating the updated ACA offsetting requirements

In June 2025, ACA introduced strengthened offsetting rules that elevate expectations around environmental integrity, credit quality, and transparency. These changes align with leading voluntary carbon market reforms, including the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s Core Carbon Principles (CCPs). The updated rules require airports to demonstrate clearer due diligence, enhanced traceability, and the use of high‑integrity, independently verified carbon credits.

Anthesis enables airports to respond with confidence through:

  • Interpretation of updated ACA and CCP-aligned rules
  • Assessment and selection of high-integrity, eligible carbon credits
  • Design of credible carbon procurement and investment strategies
  • Ongoing support to ensure alignment with ICROA, ICVCM, and future ACA updates

Our approach ensures airports can act decisively today while preparing for the integrated climate–nature expectations of tomorrow.

Airports sit at the heart of regional economies through the connectivity they provide, putting them in a strong position to lead on sustainability. As airlines accelerate investment in cleaner technologies such as sustainable aviation fuels, and respond to incentives from emissions trading systems and CORSIA, now is the right time for airports to move forward together.”

Nils van Veen, Consultant

Starting your ACA journey

For airports beginning their ACA accreditation, Anthesis provides end-to-end support to help you:

  • Develop robust Scope 1 and 2 GHG inventories in line with ACA and the GHG Protocol
  • Strengthen data governance and streamline data collection
  • Develop climate or carbon management policies aligned with ACA
  • Prepare all documentation for a seamless ACA application and verification

Starting with ACA enables airports to understand their material impacts, strengthen risk readiness, and embed sustainability into operational culture. It also builds the foundation required for progressing to advanced ACA Levels and meeting future disclosure standards.

Progressing to higher ACA levels

Advancing through ACA certification levels signals a deeper commitment to decarbonisation, stakeholder collaboration, and value chain engagement. Higher levels support airports to:

  • Enhance credibility with regulators, airlines, investors, and communities
  • Align with emerging net-zero and nature-positive aviation pathways
  • Improve resilience to future regulation and disclosure requirements
  • Build structured partnerships across airport ecosystems
  • Strengthen management of Scope 3 emissions through engagement with airlines, tenants, fuel suppliers, and ground handlers
ACA framework
Airport Carbon Accreditation Levels: Source: ACA

How Anthesis supports ambitious progression

Anthesis delivers tailored, integrated support for airports looking to elevate ambition and performance:

  • Scope 1, 2, and Scope 3 GHG inventory development and assurance support
  • Development of holistic decarbonisation, regeneration, and circularity strategies
  • Science-aligned target setting, linked to sector pathways
  • Stakeholder engagement strategies addressing broader value chain emissions
  • Credible, high-integrity carbon credit assessment and procurement
  • Guidance on climate, nature, and equity integration across airport operations

As ACA places greater emphasis on carbon credit quality and integrity, airports need partners who truly understand the voluntary carbon market and can apply these principles practically and strategically. Anthesis’ longstanding expertise across the Core Carbon Principles and ICVCM frameworks enables airports to meet these new requirements with confidence and credibility.

Anthesis Carbon Team

Our expertise spans four globally pivotal transitions – decarbonisation, regeneration, circularity, and empowerment – ensuring airports accelerate progress while maintaining credibility.

Whether you are beginning your ACA journey or aiming for the highest levels of accreditation, Anthesis provides the expertise, partnership, and practical pathways needed to deliver real world impact.

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