Evaluating the Airport
Carbon Accreditation
Program
Elizabeth Leavitt
Port of Seattle
Program Overview
• Carbon assessment and
management tool.
• Guides GHG inventory,
carbon policies and best
management practices.
• Influence “Scope 3”
emissions.
• Goal of airport carbon
neutrality.
Key Reasons to
Participate
• Program approval of GHG inventory.
• Validation of airport GHG policy and best
management practices.
• Use of ACA logo in airport material.
• Airport GHG benchmarking.
o Note: public recognition of ACA participation is at the discretion of the
individual airport.
Comparing ACA to The
Climate Registry (TCR)
• TCR is similar to ACA for reporting and tracking GHGs.
• TCR is available to North American organizations.
o Ports: PNYNJ, Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, San Diego
o Airlines: Delta, Virgin America
• TCR differences from ACA include:
o
o
o
o
o
TCR allows for broad organizational boundaries
TCR does not require carbon policy
TCR does not require Scope 3 analysis
TCR publicly identifies participants (emission data can be kept private)
TCR has a non-verified inventory reporting option
Comparing ACA to TCR
Membership Levels
ACA
TCR
Basic
Scope 1 and 2 emissions inventory.
Level 1
Verified Scope 1 and 2 emissions plus reduction
commitments.
Climate
Registered
Level 2
Level 1, plus carbon plan with reduction targets,
and on-going reductions.
Climate
Climate Registered plus absolute reduction goal,
Registered target date, and 5 BMPs
Silver
Level 3
Level 2, plus stakeholder plan and Scope 3
analysis.
Climate
Silver, plus 5% reductions. Surpass mandatory
Registered requirements.
Gold
Level 3+
Level 3, carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and 2
emissions.
Climate
Gold, plus 20% reduction. Limited REC and
Registered offset use.
Platinum
Verified Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
ACA GHG Inventory
• Airport Carbon Emission Reporting Tool (ACERT) is
acceptable for Levels 1 and 2 reporting.
• ACERT is not acceptable for Levels 3 and 3+
reporting.
• ACA requires third-party verification of GHG
inventory and application information.
• Third-party verifiers need ACA certification and
registration.
Comparing GHG
Inventory Results
Items for Discussion
Suggested improvements:
• Option to make reports public (e.g. posted on ACA website).
• Offer non-verified Level 1 option to smallest airports.
Items for clarification:
• How do airports identify baseline year in the application?
• How will ACA handle operational boundary changes? For
example, assuming responsibility for emission-causing services
currently controlled by others, then providing them in a more
efficient manner. [e.g. Busing, Fuel Hydrant]
Conclusion
• ACA is a strong carbon management program.
• ACA goes beyond inventory reporting and
embraces aspects of sustainability reporting.
• For airports already reporting, may add another
layer to existing obligations.
• Provides framework for developing and
documenting carbon neutral commitments.
Discussion
Thank you
Elizabeth Leavitt, Port of Seattle
Director, Aviation Planning and Environmental Services
[email protected]
AIRPORT CARBON ACCREDITATION and THE CLIMATE REGRISTRY COMPARISON CHART
ACA
TCR
Program Elements
Cost
1 : Carbon Footprinting
Participation Level Options
(list of Level details provided in separate chart)
3rd Party Verification
$16.5K
2 : Reducing Carbon
3 : Measuring and Engaging Scope 3 Emissions
3+ : Offsetting Scope 1 and 2 Emission
Verification required at all Levels (every other or
3rd year). Verifier must not have participated in
inventory. ACA has process for approving
verifiers.
$19K
$22K
$22K
Est. $5K
Cost
Basic : Submit Inventory
Registered : Submit Verified Inventory
Registered - Silver : Reduction Goals, BMPs
Registered - Gold : 5% Carbon Reduction
Registered - Platinum : 20% Carbon Reduction
Verification required above Basic Level. Must
use certified verifier. Full verification every 3
years (streamlined for other years).
$4K
regardless
of level
$20K to
$35K
Organization Boundary
Airport Only
All Port of Seattle sources. Individual facility emissions are
encouraged (currently being completed as Seaport and
Airport operations).
Baseline
Rolling average of previous 3 years of emissions.
Entity selects single and permanent baseline year
Carbon Accounting
Choose between Absolute Emissions or Performance
Emissions (i.e. tons/pax)
Absolute Emissions
Carbon Inventory
ACERT and STIA inventories meet Levels 1 and 2. ACERT is
not certified for Level 3. STIA inventory should meet Level 3
requirements.
ACERT and STIA inventories. All Scope 3 reporting is
optional.
Policy and Best Management
Practices
A corporate carbon policy commitment is required at Level 1,
Carbon management BMPs required at Registered Silver and
a carbon plan at Level 2. Carbon management and
above Levels.
governance required at higher levels.
Public Access
Paricipation and inventories are private. Airports can
publish results and participation levels.
Participation lists are actively published. Inventories may be
kept private at organization's request.
Carbon Offsets
Guidance documents states carbon offsets are required for
Level 3+. [This is one area of suggested improvements]
Only 49% of inventory emission reductions can be met with
carbon offsets.
Highest Acheivements
Level 3 and 3+ requires measuring Scope 3 emissions and
engaging stakeholders. Level 3+ dictates carbon neutrality.
Registered - Platinum status requires 20% reduction in
absolute carbon from baseline with restrictions on use of
RECs and offsets.
ACERT – Airport Carbon Emission Reporting Tool, STIA – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport