Oakland International Airport (OAK), managed by the Port of Oakland, has reached a significant milestone in its sustainability journey. The airport has been awarded Level Three status in the Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation initiative. This achievement was announced during the 2024 ACI North America Annual Conference and Exhibition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The Airport Carbon Accreditation program is a globally recognized initiative that encourages airports to actively engage in emission reduction efforts and demonstrate their commitment to robust carbon management strategies. This program is a testament to OAK’s dedication to environmental responsibility.
“OAK is proud to announce that we have achieved Level Three carbon accreditation with the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program,” said Craig Simon, Director of Aviation at the Port of Oakland. “We are so pleased to be a participant in this program. OAK and its partners are committed to the continued reduction of carbon emissions at our airport.”
To achieve Level Three certification, OAK had to meet stringent criteria, including:
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Expanding the verified carbon footprint:
This involved accounting for emissions from various Scope 3 sources, such as emissions generated during take-off and landing cycles, ground transportation used by passengers and staff, and emissions from employee business travel. Scope 3 emissions are those indirectly generated by OAK’s operations but fall outside its direct control.*
Demonstrating stakeholder engagement:
OAK actively involved key stakeholders, including airlines, ground handling teams, employees, passengers, and transportation planners, in its carbon reduction efforts.As of last week, OAK successfully met all the necessary criteria and secured Level Three accreditation. This program consists of seven total levels, and OAK is already working towards advancing through the next stages.
Looking ahead, the Port of Oakland has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability. The port aims to achieve zero emissions from OAK-owned sources and operations by 2040. These efforts align with the broader commitment of both the United States and Canada to achieve net-zero emissions at airports by 2050.
Globally, the Airport Carbon Accreditation program has gained significant traction, with 587 participating airports. OAK’s achievement serves as a shining example of the commitment to environmental sustainability within the aviation industry.
