Narita Airport's Decarbonization Efforts Earn Global Recognition – Achieving Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4

Narita International Airport has received global recognition for its decarbonization efforts, achieving Level 4 accreditation under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program^*1.

In March 2021, Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) announced its medium- to long term decarbonization goals under “Sustainable NRT 2050,” following the acquisition of Level 3 accreditation. NAA has been actively collaborating with airport-related stakeholders to reduce CO2 emissions across the airport by promoting energy efficiency, decarbonizing airport vehicles, and advancing the adoption of SustainableAviation Fuel (SAF).

In addition to these initiatives, NAA plans to accelerate various decarbonization efforts, including the installation of large-scale solar power generation at the airport. These efforts are aimed at reducing total CO2 emissions in alignment with the pathway outlined in the Paris Agreement and have been highly commended by Airports Council International (ACI)^*2, ultimately leading to the achievement of Level 4 accreditation.

The ACA program, established by ACI, evaluates and certifies airports' decarbonization initiatives across seven levels. Level 4, referred to as "Transformation," requires airport operators not only to reduce their own CO2 emissions but also to collaborate with airport related stakeholders to reduce the airport's overall CO2 emissions.
 

Only approximately 5% of ACI’s 2,181 member airports have achieved Level 4 or higher, reflecting the advanced nature of the efforts required. NAA will continue to advance the decarbonization of Narita Airport by developing specific action plans, such as converting new airport facilities to ZEB^*3 standards and further expanding the adoption of SAF. Additionally, NAA will strengthen its cooperation with airport related stakeholders to drive these efforts forward.

Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East*, said: “We congratulate Narita International Airport for its significant strides in reducing carbon emissions, setting a benchmark for airports across the region. By positioning itself as one of the leaders in efficient carbon management, Narita International Airport demonstrates a strong commitment to building a more sustainable future. This aligns with our industry's collective vision of achieving net zero emissions by 2050."

* ACI, comprising ACI World as its global headquarters and five regional offices (Africa, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America), works to represent the collective interests of airports.