Metropolitan Airports Commission Recognized for Carbon Emissions Reduction Program at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

A leading aviation industry association has recognized the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) for completing the second step of carbon accreditation – a process to reduce carbon emissions and advance sustainability efforts – at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), which administers the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, recognized the MAC for its work on carbon emissions. To achieve the second phase, the MAC developed a carbon management plan, documenting methods the MAC will use to implement carbon reduction strategies.

“The development of a carbon management plan is a significant step in the MAC’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions at MSP,” said Brian Ryks, CEO and executive director of the MAC. “This certification by the leading industry program for reducing carbon emissions demonstrates our commitment to operate MSP Airport in a sustainable manner.”

As part of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, airports commit to reducing their emissions by making investments in efficient heating and lighting technology; electric, hybrid or gas-powered vehicles; public transport incentives; and stakeholder engagement to encourage further emissions reductions.

Last year, MSP reached the first level of certification by mapping its carbon emissions in base years 2014 and 2015. That work involved a comprehensive study of MSP’s carbon emissions from various sources controlled by the MAC.

For the second step of accreditation, the MAC developed a MSP carbon management plan that includes a carbon metric and reduction target, actions and projects to achieve the target, and implementation plans to achieve year-over-year carbon reductions. MSP’s plan calls for reducing MAC-controlled carbon emissions by 15 percent by 2020 from the baseline average achieved in 2014 and 2015.

ACI-NA’s carbon accreditation process recognizes airport efforts to manage and reduce their CO2 emissions through independent assessment and verification.

The full Airport Carbon Accreditation program is a four-step process, where the mapping of carbon emissions is followed by a reduction in the carbon footprint, work with third parties on further reductions, and eventually carbon neutrality for direct emissions.

"The success of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program is both an inspiration and a challenge to the airport industry," said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. "While earning certification in this program is difficult, airports must be innovative in finding new ways to reduce carbon emissions in order to renew their certification.”

A total of 27 airports in North America have been recognized for attaining accreditation. Of those 27, six -- including MSP – upgraded to the next level of accreditation this year. Other airports joined the accreditation process or renewed their accreditation.