Salvador Bahia Airport First in Americas to Achieve ACA Level 5 Carbon Certification

A New Benchmark in Aviation: Salvador Bahia Airport’s Landmark Achievement

In the ongoing global conversation about climate action, the aviation industry often finds itself under a microscope. It’s a sector widely recognized as difficult to decarbonize, yet one that is critical to the global economy. Against this backdrop, a significant milestone has been set on the American continent. On November 13, 2025, during the COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil, VINCI Airports announced that Salvador Bahia Airport has become the first in the Americas to achieve Level 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program. This isn’t just another certificate; it represents the highest, most stringent level of carbon management and reduction recognized in the airport industry.

This achievement places Salvador Bahia in an elite global group and marks a pivotal moment for sustainable aviation in the Western Hemisphere. It moves beyond the concept of simple carbon neutrality, which can often rely heavily on offsetting emissions. Level 5 certification demands a demonstrated commitment to absolute emission reductions and a comprehensive strategy for the future. As we unpack what this means, it becomes clear that this is more than a local success story; it’s a potential blueprint for how airports worldwide can transition from ambitious targets to tangible, verifiable results.

The timing of the announcement, coinciding with COP30, underscores its importance. It serves as a powerful statement to the international community that meaningful decarbonization within the transportation sector is not just possible, but is actively happening. For Brazil, it showcases leadership in environmental stewardship, while for VINCI Airports, it validates a long-term, action-oriented environmental strategy that is now bearing fruit on a global scale.

Deconstructing the Milestone: What ACA Level 5 Truly Means

To grasp the full weight of this accomplishment, we must first understand the framework it sits within. The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) is the sole globally recognized carbon management certification for airports, administered by the Airports Council International (ACI). It provides a structured pathway for airports to manage and reduce their carbon footprint, progressing through various levels of accreditation. Level 5 is the pinnacle of this program, designed to align the industry with the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement and global net-zero commitments.

The Rigors of Level 5

Achieving Level 5 is fundamentally different from earlier stages of carbon management. It requires an airport to have already reached and maintained net-zero carbon emissions for its direct operations. These are categorized as Scope 1 emissions (from sources owned or controlled by the airport, like its vehicle fleet) and Scope 2 emissions (from the purchase of electricity, steam, heating, and cooling). The standard is uncompromising: an airport must demonstrate a reduction of at least 90% in these absolute emissions, with only the residual amount being addressed through credible carbon removal projects.

Furthermore, the certification extends beyond an airport’s direct control. A critical component of Level 5 is the commitment to tackling Scope 3 emissions. These are all other indirect emissions that occur from activities at the airport, such as those from airlines’ landing and take-off cycles, ground handling services, and passenger transportation to and from the airport. To be certified, Salvador Bahia had to present a clear and robust plan to achieve net-zero for these Scope 3 emissions by 2050, demonstrating a holistic approach to decarbonizing the entire airport ecosystem.

This comprehensive requirement is what sets Level 5 apart. It signifies a shift from merely managing an airport’s own carbon footprint to influencing and leading the broader aviation community toward a sustainable future. It’s a commitment to systemic change, not just operational tweaks.

“This milestone marks a major step forward on the American continent in the decarbonisation of our airport activities and aviation as a whole. It reflects the outstanding commitment of our teams and our determination to take decisive action across our airports worldwide.”, Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of Concessions at VINCI and President of VINCI Airports

The Blueprint in Action: How Salvador Bahia Achieved Net-Zero

Setting ambitious goals is one thing; executing a strategy to meet them is another. Salvador Bahia Airport, under the operation of VINCI Airports since 2018, implemented a series of concrete, high-impact initiatives to systematically reduce its carbon footprint. This wasn’t a single project but a multi-faceted approach that addressed energy consumption, operational efficiency, and stakeholder collaboration.

Harnessing Renewable Energy

A cornerstone of the airport’s strategy was a decisive shift to clean energy. Two large-scale photovoltaic plants were installed on-site, with a total capacity of 6 MWp. This solar farm now supplies 100% of the renewable energy required for the airport’s own operations. The impact extends even further, as the clean energy generated also powers third-party cargo facilities, demonstrating a commitment to greening the entire airport complex. By ensuring all tenants also use 100% renewable energy, the airport has effectively eliminated its Scope 2 emissions.

Operational Overhaul and Electrification

Beyond clean energy generation, the airport undertook a thorough review of its ground operations. Gas-powered equipment, a significant source of Scope 1 emissions, was systematically replaced with electric alternatives, particularly in high-consumption areas like tenant restaurants. The airport’s own vehicle fleet was also converted to run on either electricity or biofuels, further reducing direct emissions. This focus on electrification and sustainable fuels was critical to achieving the steep 90% reduction in absolute emissions required for Level 5.

Addressing Residual Emissions and Engaging Partners

No operation can eliminate 100% of its emissions overnight. For the small fraction of residual emissions that remain, Salvador Bahia Airport has invested in certified carbon sequestration projects. This includes supporting a 3,879-hectare reforestation initiative in Brazil’s Corumbá region. This project not only helps balance the airport’s carbon ledger but also delivers tangible socio-economic benefits by creating local jobs. Crucially, the airport maintains an ongoing dialogue with all its partners and stakeholders, from airlines to ground handlers, to promote joint action and foster a collective sense of responsibility for reducing Scope 3 emissions.

Conclusion: A New Standard for the Industry

Salvador Bahia Airport’s ACA Level 5 certification is more than just a “first.” It is a powerful case study demonstrating that with strategic investment, operational commitment, and a clear vision, achieving net-zero in direct airport operations is an attainable goal. It effectively raises the bar for the entire aviation industry, particularly in the Americas, proving that private sector management of public infrastructure can drive ambitious environmental progress. The specific actions taken, from building a solar farm to electrifying fleets, provide a tangible roadmap for other airports to follow.

Looking ahead, this achievement will likely accelerate the decarbonization efforts of other airports. As pressure mounts from regulators, investors, and the public, having a real-world example of success is invaluable. Salvador Bahia’s milestone is a clear signal that the future of aviation must be sustainable, and it has provided a credible, verifiable blueprint for how to get there. It is a story of commitment not just to a target, but to the deep, systemic changes required to build a truly net-zero industry.

FAQ

Question: What is the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program?
Answer: It is the only globally recognized carbon management certification program for airports. Administered by Airports Council International (ACI), it independently assesses and recognizes airports’ efforts to manage and reduce their CO2 emissions through a structured, multi-level framework.

Question: What makes ACA Level 5 so difficult to achieve?
Answer: Level 5 is the highest tier and requires an airport to have achieved and maintained net-zero emissions for its direct operations (Scopes 1 and 2), with at least a 90% absolute reduction. It also demands a comprehensive plan and commitment to achieving net-zero for all indirect (Scope 3) emissions by 2050.

Question: What are Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions?
Answer: Scope 1 covers direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the airport (e.g., airport-owned vehicles). Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased electricity. Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions from airport-related activities, such as airline operations, ground handling, and passenger travel to the airport.

Sources: VINCI Airports Newsroom