Airports across Europe sign up to the “Toulouse Declaration” in record numbers, reinforcing industry’s commitment to a net zero future
Brussels, 4 February 2022: As the “Toulouse Declaration” today 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 decarbonisation. It is a highly significant moment, paving the way for the concrete next steps, both in the establishment of an EU Pact for Aviation Decarbonisation, 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 decarbonising aviation. With almost 200 European airports now certified under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme and close to 400 airports globally, our work to reaching net zero carbon emissions for those operations under our control by 2050 continues to make tangible progress. 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 decarbonisation 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.
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.”
Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport: “By joining the Toulouse Declaration, Riga Airport once again demonstrates its readiness to work for achievement of the global climate goals in joint step with the rest of the industry. We have goals that we want to achieve in our own, our country's and society's growth, and we believe that every goal must carry a value. Our sustainability strategy 2030 provides for nearly 200 activities in various fields of sustainability, including those with the goal to reduce impact on climate change, increase resource efficiency and circular economy, and to preserve biodiversity, as well as other.”
Riga Airport has already joined the ACI Europe initiative Net Zero 2050, thus demonstrating its commitment to reach net zero CO2 emissions for the operations under direct control of the Airport by 2050. By joining the initiative, Riga Airport has committed to reach the point where the company generates zero CO2 emissions or emissions, which may not be avoided or compensated by proper disposal of greenhouse gases in equal volume by 2050. Riga Airport also plans to pass the ACA programme level 3 certification in the upcoming years, which means reduction of the emissions which are not under direct control of the Airport, but which are caused by the companies and organisations operating in the airport.
A full list of ACI EUROPE member signatories to the Toulouse Declaration can be found here.
Riga Airport is a fast-growing Northern European air traffic hub, connecting the Baltic countries with European business centres and popular holiday destinations. As a member organization of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Aviation Industry Charter for COVID-19, Riga Airport works to the highest standards of epidemiological safety. Skytrax has awarded Riga Airport a four-star rating for its implemented Covid-19 safety measures.
ACI EUROPE is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents over 500 airports in 55 countries. Our members facilitate over 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe. Air transport supports 13.5 million jobs, generating €886 billion in European economic activity (4.4% of GDP). In response to the Climate Emergency, in June 2019 our members committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions for operations under their control by 2050, without offsetting.
For more information:
Ilze Salna
Riga Airport
Communication Project Manager
[email protected] , GSM: +371 29404124
Virginia Lee
ACI Europe
Director, Media & Communications
Tel: +32 2 552 09 82
Email: [email protected]