Belo Horizonte Airport is the first carbon neutral airport in Brazil

Recognition was possible after meeting all the necessary requirements to obtain level 3+, which deals with partner engagement and carbon neutrality.​

​After a year of dedication to the ESG agenda and strengthening environmental, social and governance practices, BH Airport has just become the first carbon neutral airport in Brazil. The achievement was possible after the airport, which had already been certified at level 2 by the ACA, met all the necessary requirements for certification at level 3 (which deals with partner engagement), and obtained level 3+ certification, which certifies that the airport complies with all previous requirements and, in addition, compensates for residual emissions over which the airport has control with high-quality carbon credits.

“This achievement shows our effective commitment to sustainability, especially with regard to gradual decarbonization actions, with clear objectives and targets to achieve neutrality in carbon emissions. In recent weeks we had already received the Green Airport seal and all of this promotes our position as the most sustainable airport in the country”, highlights the CEO of BH Airport, Daniel Miranda.

The ACA has six levels of certification and is the only global program for accreditation and management of carbon emissions at airports. The level achieved by BH Airport involves managing the airport’s emissions and its progression towards a low-carbon operation. In addition, it involves engaging partners and neutralizing the residual footprint, through the purchase of carbon credits with a high reputation on the market.

For carbon neutrality to be a reality at the airport, Daniel explains that it was necessary to adopt effective carbon management procedures, as well as develop sustainable projects that can mitigate the impacts of the operation. In this sense, it is worth highlighting the use of electrical energy from a 100% renewable source, guaranteed through the REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) certification. The initiative contributed to a reduction of 731 tons of carbon equivalent in 2022.

BH Airport also invested in the implementation of the 400Hz project (electricity) + PCA (air conditioning for aircraft). The project consists of attaching equipment to the boarding bridges to supply electricity from renewable sources and air conditioning to aircraft during ground services. Until then, aviation kerosene and diesel generators were used. Today, Azul, Latam and Gol rely on the solution, which is available in 20 locations on the airport apron. This initiative prevented the emission of 480 tons of carbon equivalent into the atmosphere in 2023.

The airport’s Cargo Terminal also now has electric forklifts, replacing conventional equipment powered by LPG and diesel. In total, the reduction in carbon emissions has already accumulated more than 4 thousand tons, which represents 57% of the emissions that BH Airport recorded in the base year, in 2017.

There are 557 certified airports in the world; 77 in Latin America and the Caribbean, five at level 3+, including BH Airport. There is only one at level 4 – El Dorado Airport in Colombia. Brazil has eight certified airports: Floripa Airport, Vitória Airport, Macaé Airport, Brasília International Airport, Rio de Janeiro RIOgaleão International Airport and Santos Dumont Airport (level 1); Salvador Airport (level 3) and BH Airport (level 3+).

“It is a pleasure to grant ACA certification levels 3 and 3+ to BH Airport, a member that has done an excellent job in managing its emissions”, highlights the general director of ACI-LAC, Rafael Echevarne. “It is also important to highlight that this is a milestone for the airport industry in Brazil, as BH Airport is the first airport in the country to not only reduce its direct emissions and involve partners in the commitment to sustainability, but offset the remaining emissions”, he points out. . “ACI-LAC hopes that this will be an incentive for the sector in Brazil and throughout the region”, concludes Echevarne.

The program

ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation is the only one in the world institutionally approved for airports. The accreditation stages follow the GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gases) and were designed to evaluate and recognize the initiatives adopted by airports to contribute to the preservation of the environment.

ACI is the only global commercial representative of the world’s airports. Founded in 1991, the organization represents the interests of airports with governments and organizations such as ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, as well as providing information and training opportunities. to raise standards around the world.​