Sustainable reduction Of carbon footprint Level in programme AiRports
International efforts to keep global warming below 2°C and avoid climate change require systematic cuts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Transport currently accounts for about 1/4 of EU GHG emissions, making it the 2nd highest emitting sector after the energy industries. While in other sectors GHG emissions have been decreasing, in the transport domain they have risen by as much as 30% over the past 25 years. Air transport and aviation account for about 3% of the EU’s total GHG emissions: Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme, adopted by ACI EUROPE, provides a unique common framework for active carbon management at airports with measurable tools. SOLAR project starts from a new airport environmental management through a process of continuous improvement and work in close collaboration with airport stakeholders. Through SOLAR project, partners will acquire knowledge and tools not strictly aimed at measuring the carbon footprint produced by the airports in Puglia, Albania and Montenegro, but also at providing reliable data to activate policies for carbon emission reduction, in line with the SO 3.2. Partners will implement several actions to become cleaner and more efficient in WP T1 and T2, such as: better energy efficiency and low carbon energy planning (to switch to green energy sources or increase investments in hybrid, electric or gas-powered service vehicles); working with airlines to reduce runway taxiing times, encouraging external operators, service companies, ground handlers, catering companies, employees, passengers and visitors to use public transport or more sustainable transport modalities, or more environmentally-friendly waste policies, as well as to reduce plastic use. SOLAR project will facilitate knowledge pooling and sharing of best practices among partners and with study visits outside Programme area, building a joint model and roadmap to ease the implementation of practices to reduce carbon footprint in air transport sector at CB level.