Sharjah Airport has made a firm commitment to ensuring its operations have a minimal impact on the environment. File photo

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sharjah Airport has become the first carbon-neutral airport in the GCC and the second in the Middle East to attain Level 3+ Neutrality accreditation, occurring when net carbon dioxide emissions over a full year are zero, from the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme issued by Airports Council International (ACI). This reflects the excellence of the airport strategy in the implementation of many projects and practices that use the application of the highest standards of sustainability.

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The achievement marks an important milestone in Sharjah Airport’s journey towards continuous environmental and sustainable development as it continues to expand its operational capacity.  Sharjah Airport has made a firm commitment to ensuring its operations have a minimal impact on the environment while working towards reducing carbon footprint and energy consumption.

Supporting the UAE Vision 2021

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority said: "Sharjah Airport's attainment of the highest level of carbon neutrality reflects the efforts made by the airport in the field of environmental practices, which translate the directions of the rational leadership into the need to preserve and protect the environment. The airport has adopted many green initiatives and programmes, in line with the commitment of the United Arab Emirates towards reducing carbon emissions that fall under the UAE Green Growth Strategy and to support the national agenda to attain the UAE Vision 2021."

Environmental leader

“By reaching carbon-neutral status, the highest status currently, in the internationally-recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, Sharjah Airport is firmly positioning itself as an environmental leader in the region and beyond,” said Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific. “We are grateful to the management team at Sharjah Airport for their continued commitment and active participation in ACI Asia-Pacific environmental initiatives and in support of working towards a new societal value.”

Sustainable initiatives

Environmental and sustainability projects implemented by Sharjah Airport include energy conservation initiatives, clean energy projects and circular economic initiatives to encourage all stakeholders of the airport to engage and contribute to good practice.  Apart from strictly monitoring electricity and water consumption in the airport, an integrated waste management system, targeted at zero landfill waste, was introduced. Sharjah Airport supports the ICAO’s global strategy on climate change.

Environmental Awards

Sharjah Airport has been recognised throughout the years by several entities for its contribution to sustainable initiatives. These include ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Recognition 2020 Silver, the Sharjah Green Award in 2019 from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Modama Award in 2019 for Green Government Initiatives from Ajman Tourism Department. Sharjah Airport also accomplished Airport Carbon Accreditation - level 1 mapping in 2014, level 2 reduction in 2016 and level 3 optimisation in 2018 by Airport Council International. All these recognitions and awards celebrate Sharjah Airport's pioneering environmental and sustainability initiatives in the UAE aviation industry.

Sharjah Airport will be formally presented with the Level 3+ award at the Airport Carbon Accreditation Certification Presentation ceremony at the next ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition.