Sharjah International Airport has become the Gulf’s first carbon-neutral airport.
The northern emirate hub obtained a “Class 3 + Neutrality” accreditation from the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. The tag is given to institutions only when its net carbon dioxide emissions for a full year are zero. The initiative is backed by the Airports Council International (ACI).
Ali Salim Al Midfa Chairman, Sharjah Airport Authority.
“Sharjah Airport’s attainment of the highest level of carbon neutrality reflects the efforts made by the airport in the field of environmental practices. The airport has adopted many green initiatives and programs, in line with the commitment of the UAE towards reducing carbon emissions.”
Sharjah Airport has initiated numerous programs for the environment and sustainability, including energy saving measures and clean energy projects. It also monitor the airport’s electricity and water consumption, and introduced an integrated waste management system designed to send zero waste to landfill.
Accreditation of Sharjah Airport brought the total number of carbon neutral airports in the Asia-Pacific region to 7.
According to the Airport Carbon Accreditation program which was first launched in 2009 , the number of accredited airports around the world surpassed the 300 mark during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic. The global number is now 312.
Efforts to achieve sustainability goals by the airport industry comes as the corona virus crisis is severely affecting the global aviation sector. According to industry bodies and experts, a return to 2019 passenger traffic rates seems unlikely before 2024.
Airports which have joined the accreditation program for the first time since the pandemic was declared in March include Bram Fischer International Airport in South Africa, Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport in Nigeria and Queretaro Airport in Mexico.
Airports that have been upgraded since the pandemic are Enfidha-Hammamet Airport in Tunisia, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China and Sharjah International Airport.
“By reaching carbon-neutral status, the highest status currently, in the internationally-recognized Airport Carbon Accreditation program, Sharjah Airport is firmly positioning itself as an environmental leader in the region and beyond,” Stefano Baronci, director general of ACI Asia-Pacific, said.
The achievement marks an important milestone in Sharjah Airport’s journey toward continued environmental and sustainable development as its operational capacity continues to expand. Sharjah Airport has made a strong commitment to ensuring that its activities have minimal environmental impact while at the same time seeking to reduce carbon footprint and energy consumption.
Over the years its efforts have been recognized continuously through numerous awards.
