The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has earned a Level 1 Airport Carbon Accreditation, the first Philippine Airport to do so.
The accreditation was given by the Airports Council International (ACI), an organization of airport authorities aimed at uniting industry practices for airport standards.
ACI was established in 1991 with headquarters based in Canada. Its members operate nearly 2,000 airports.
MCIA received the distinction just as another Philippine airport is plagued with housekeeping issues recently for reported infestation of bed bugs and rodents.
SUSTAINABILITY
MCIA, in an official statement, said it has aligned its 2023 sustainability programs and will continue to align its efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and global targets to safeguard the environment from further degradation.
“The goal is to operate the airport sustainably through the implementation of projects that promote the company's long-term viability while preserving resources for the future,” the statement reads.
The recognition, according to MCIA, not only highlights its responsible approach to carbon emissions but also its position as a leader in fostering eco-friendly practices within the aviation industry.
Further, Airport Carbon Accreditation, the sole globally endorsed certification program for carbon management in airports, autonomously evaluates and acknowledges the endeavors of airports in managing and reducing their carbon emissions.
MCIA is being run by Aboitiz Infracapital GMCAC.
Stefano Baronci, director general of ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East, has extended felicitations to MCIA for embarking on their sustainability journey.
“We congratulate Mactan-Cebu International Airport for Level 1 certification in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program . Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s commitment to contribute towards our industry's common vision of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 brings the total number of Asia-Pacific and Middle East airports joining ACA to 84,” Baronci said.
MCIA Chief Executive Officer Athanasios Titonis not only celebrates this accomplishment but also affirms an ongoing commitment to sustainability, emphasizing that efforts in this direction will continue to evolve and expand.
“We take great pride in the global recognition of our initial strides toward becoming a more sustainable airport. As the pioneering airport in the Philippines acknowledged for its sustainability endeavors, we aspire to set a precedent for others in the aviation industry in the country to embrace similar practices,” Titonis stated.
“Understanding that achieving carbon neutrality is a journey that requires time and dedication, we are fully committed to innovating new methods to further diminish our carbon emissions” he added.
Julius Neri, General Manager of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, expressed optimism that this achievement will serve as inspiration for the aviation industry in the Philippines to emulate and adopt similar sustainable practices.
“We find ourselves in a fortunate era where advancements in technology and innovation enable us to actively reduce our carbon emissions, aiming ultimately for a net-zero outcome - an opportunity not available in the preceding decades. It is important that we seize this opportunity and leverage it to collectively make a positive impact on our planet. Our sustainability journey is unfolding step by step, and we aspire to attain a higher level of accreditation in the near future,” Neri said.
Further MCIA initiatives include minimizing the usage of non-biodegradable waste within airport premises, introducing infrastructure projects to lower energy consumption, incorporating renewable energy sources, and establishing systems to minimize and recycle water consumption.
