MSP Airport achieves Level 3 carbon accreditation

MSP Airport has earned recognition by Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) for reaching Level 3 of its Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program.  

The ACI-NA Airport Carbon Accreditation program is part of a global carbon management program that independently assesses and recognizes airport efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Achieving Level 3 accreditation in the program demonstrates the progress MSP has made and the momentum building toward larger sustainability goals the MAC set in 2020. 

“We’re proud to achieve ACA Level 3, which elevates our progress toward reducing emissions,” said MAC CEO Brian Ryks. “Our goal is to reduce emissions by 80% by 2030 and then to reach net-zero by 2050, and this will require teamwork. We’re thankful for the partnerships we have at MSP and in the broader region. Our stakeholder engagement brings these sustainability goals closer to reality every day.” 

MSP previously held Level 2 accreditation, which includes accounting for the fuel and electricity usage in MAC-operated spaces and vehicles and reducing greenhouse gas emissions year over year. Level 3 accreditation expands the scope of accounting to include tenants’ fuel and electricity usage, as well as emissions associated with travel to and from the airport, aircraft landing and takeoff cycles, wastewater treatment, trash disposal, and MAC business travel. Engaging tenants and other airport users in actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions is an important component of Level 3. 

Achieving Level 3 accreditation is the product of a coordinated effort by the MAC sustainability program to widen the measured scope of the airport’s carbon footprint, working with stakeholders to assess a broader range of emissions, identifying baseline measurements, and engaging airport tenants to collaboratively identify and implement sustainability solutions. 

“The MAC has made great strides to reduce the airport’s carbon footprint, and we are now 43% of the way toward achieving an 80% reduction in emissions by 2030,” said Emmy Waldhart, who manages the MAC’s sustainability program. 

The MAC’s carbon emission-reduction efforts are diverse and campus-wide. For more information, see the Sept. 9 media release.