Prague Airport Meets Its Five-Year Climate and Environmental Protection Goal

Prague Airport has managed to meet the goal of continuously reducing its carbon footprint with the target of getting 9% below the 2009 figures, which the airport set for itself in 2012. For its measurable results and attempts to engage airport business partners in joint efforts to lower the amount of greenhouse gasses generated by their operations, Prague Airport was awarded an Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 3 Certificate.

The main goal of Airport Carbon Accreditation is to support airport operators in their attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by various airport operations. Its programme has been joined by 207 airports worldwide which check their carbon footprint on a yearly basis and implement processes to reduce it. A carbon footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions expressed as a carbon dioxide equivalent.

Not all airports are equally active in their attempts at greenhouse gas emission reduction. Therefore, the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme is divided into 4 levels: mapping the footprint, its reduction, optimisation via engaging involved stakeholders and neutrality – a zero carbon footprint.

“Prague Airport is currently among 47 airports which, under level 3 of the programme, also attempt to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions from take-offs and landings, passenger and staff ground transport, including business trips, as well as to reduce other emissions not directly under its control. We try to pass our experience on to other firms by organising a series of seminars regarding energy saving measures and carbon footprints,” Soňa Hykyšová, Prague Airport Environment Protection Manager, said.

Additional information about the programme is available at: www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org.