Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East to develop a Net Zero emissions roadmap. The agreement, signed on October 16, 2024, during the 59th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region, marks a significant step in the airport’s sustainability efforts.
The partnership will leverage ACI’s Net Zero Roadmap program, which is endorsed by the Airport Carbon Accreditation initiative. This program will provide MCIA with strategic guidance on creating structured plans for reducing carbon emissions, including carbon footprint projections, governance frameworks, and recommendations for sustainable practices in assets, fuels, and operations.
Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “Through our Net Zero Roadmap programme, we offer tailored support to airports like Mactan Cebu International, helping them create practical, effective plans,” Baronci stated.
MCIA, which recently achieved Level 1 certification in the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, aims to progress to Level 5 – the highest tier requiring a net-zero carbon balance for Scope 1 and 2 emissions and active management of Scope 3 emissions.
Athanasios Titonis, CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital GMCAC, the private operator of MCIA, expressed commitment to establishing the airport as a sustainability benchmark. “While we recognize there is still much work ahead, our partnership with ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East gives us confidence that our initiatives will leave a meaningful, long-lasting impact on the environment,” Titonis said.
Julius Neri, General Manager of MCIA, added that the collaboration with ACI would accelerate the airport’s sustainability efforts. “With Airports Council International (ACI) now joining us on our sustainability journey, we are confident that their expertise will bring valuable insights and further elevate our efforts toward creating a more sustainable future,” Neri commented.
The MoU signing was witnessed by Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary General, underscoring the global aviation community’s focus on environmental sustainability.
As airports worldwide face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, initiatives like this highlight the aviation industry’s growing commitment to addressing climate change concerns.
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