Brazil and Australia Join Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, US, and North Macedonia in Advancing Global Airport Decarbonisation Efforts for Net-Zero Emissions at COP30: New Update You Need to Know

Published on November 20, 2025

At COP30, Brazil and Australia have made remarkable progress in advancing global airport decarbonisation, joining countries such as Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, the United States, and North Macedonia in their commitment to net-zero emissions. Salvador Bahia Airport in Brazil, along with Adelaide and Parafield airports in Australia, has achieved a significant milestone by reaching net-zero emissions for Scope 1 and 2. These airports are now set to address Scope 3 emissions by 2050, marking an important step forward in the airport industry’s climate action. This achievement highlights the growing network of net-zero leaders within the airport sector, which is tackling climate change head-on despite facing unique infrastructure and resource challenges. The collective efforts of these airports reinforce their vital role in shaping a sustainable future for aviation, underscoring the global momentum towards achieving carbon neutrality across the sector.

As COP30 concludes in Brazil, the global airport community celebrates this key milestone in the journey towards full decarbonisation, driven by the ongoing success of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Salvador Bahia Airport, in the host country of COP30, has become a symbol of progress, earning prestigious Level 5 certification for achieving net-zero emissions for Scopes 1 and 2. This, alongside Adelaide and Parafield airports, underscores the growing commitment of airports worldwide to reduce their carbon footprints and achieve a sustainable future.

This accomplishment holds particular importance for airports in the Global South. Salvador Bahia Airport, managed by VINCI Airports, stands out as the first airport in Brazil and the entire Americas to reach this advanced level of carbon maturity. It joins an esteemed group of airports at Level 5, including Delhi International Airport, Hyderabad International Airport, and Bangalore International Airport in India. These airports exemplify the resolve and capacity of Global South airports to lead the way in environmental sustainability, even while contending with the unique resource constraints and infrastructure challenges that often set them apart from many airports in the Global North.

The journey towards carbon neutrality in the airport sector has gained significant momentum in just two years since the introduction of Airport Carbon Accreditation’s Level 5 at COP28 in Dubai. As of now, 29 airports have achieved this milestone, including recent additions such as Lyon and Nice airports in France, as well as Åre Östersund, Kiruna, and Visby airports in Sweden. These airports are setting the bar high, reinforcing their roles as leaders in the global effort to mitigate climate change.

This progress is more vital than ever, as the concentration of greenhouse gases continues to rise, further exacerbating global warming and its associated impacts. The airport industry is making carbon management and reduction a top priority through the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, with the latest participation figures reflecting this commitment. Currently, 614 airports across five continents are actively engaged in the programme, representing 55.8% of global passenger traffic.

The trend towards climate action is a global phenomenon, with airports from every corner of the world joining the movement. Recently, several new airports have entered the programme, demonstrating the expanding reach of climate-conscious practices in the aviation sector. Notable new participants include:

• Africa: Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• Asia-Pacific & Middle East: Red Sea International Airport in Saudi Arabia
• Europe: Skopje International Airport in North Macedonia
• Latin America & Caribbean: Foz do Iguaçu, São Luís‑Marechal Cunha Machado, Navegantes, Goiânia, and Afonso Pena airports in Brazil
• North America: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in the USA

As more airports across the globe commit to cutting their carbon footprints, the industry is moving closer to its goal of a sustainable, carbon-neutral future. The continued success of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme highlights the critical role airports play in driving global climate action, with both developed and emerging nations working hand in hand to safeguard the planet’s future.

This marks a transformative moment in the aviation industry’s efforts to curb its environmental impact, one that will inspire further progress as airports continue to lead by example on the world stage.

Olivier Jankovec, Chair of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Board and Director General of ACI EUROPE said: “Climate change is by far the most existential of crises facing humanity and the mother of all risks, conflating with economic, societal and geopolitical risks. I am all the more heartened by the ardent follow‑through by the global airport community on its ambition to achieve net zero for CO2 emissions under airports’ control as well as to support and facilitate the same goal for the entire aviation sector. Congratulations to the teams of Salvador Bahia, Adelaide and Parafield airports, and indeed all airports working hard to reduce their impact on the climate.

Airport Carbon Accreditation is 16 years old, but its role in guiding and supporting airports’ efforts to decarbonise has never been more important, as it provides the blueprint for net zero airport facilities. This is about non‑state actors stepping up — because we all want to secure a safer and brighter future for generations to come.” 

In conclusion, the progress made by airports in Brazil, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, the US, and North Macedonia at COP30 demonstrates a unified global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. With Salvador Bahia Airport leading the way in the Global South, and other key players expanding their decarbonisation efforts, the aviation industry is setting a powerful example of how the sector can drive meaningful climate action. As more airports join the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, the path toward a sustainable, carbon-neutral future for global aviation becomes ever clearer. These efforts reflect the growing recognition that reducing emissions is not only necessary for the planet’s future but also achievable through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to sustainability.