Adelaide and Parafield Airports have made history as the first airports in Australia to achieve the highest level of certification under the global Airport Carbon Accreditation program.
Both airports are now officially recognised as Airport Carbon Accredited at Level 5, a certification reserved for facilities that maintain a net zero carbon balance on direct emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) and actively manage significant indirect emissions (Scope 3) on the pathway to comprehensive decarbonisation.
Among the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, only four other airports have attained this elite status.
Airport Carbon Accreditation is the sole institutionally endorsed global program that independently verifies and acknowledges airports for their carbon measurement, management, and reduction initiatives.
Brenton Cox, Managing Director of Adelaide Airport, said: “Our participation in this program is recognition of the importance of long term sustainability to aviation sector and the value of collaboration to achieve our industry goals.”
He highlighted that Adelaide and Parafield Airports now set the benchmark for environmentally friendly airports in Australia.
“Achievement of Level 5 accreditation validates that we have transitioned from carbon management to decarbonisation, with credible evidence of emissions reduction and long-term planning,” Cox said.
He added that the airports’ sustainability and decarbonisation efforts create long-term value for shareholders, customers, and the broader community.
In December 2024, Adelaide Airport also became the first major Australian airport to reach carbon neutrality, further underscoring its commitment to environmental leadership.
Stefano Baronci, Director General of Airport Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East, praised the airports’ leadership in sustainability.
“Achieving Level 5 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme reflects their sustained effort and collaboration with stakeholders to reduce emissions, and this accomplishment aligns perfectly with airport industry’s shared vision of achieving net zero goals by 2050,” he said.
Baronci noted the Asia-Pacific region is now home to six Level 5 accredited airports, including those in India, Australia, and New Zealand, positioning it as the second-highest region worldwide for this top-tier recognition.
He expressed hope that Adelaide and Parafield’s milestones would inspire other airports to intensify their environmental performance.
Adelaide and Parafield Airports have implemented a comprehensive suite of sustainability initiatives contributing to their success.
These include generating over 15 per cent of the domestic and international terminals’ electricity from onsite solar installations, significantly reducing electricity use via LED lighting upgrades and energy-efficient equipment choices, and purchasing all remaining electricity through a renewable power purchase agreement from a South Australian wind farm.
To address residual emissions, the airports offset using carbon credits sourced from a land regeneration project in South Australia.
Cox also highlighted efforts to support the emerging domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry, stating: “We want to help bring SAF to our airline partners sooner by maintaining open access to our fuel infrastructure and offering commercial incentives for use of SAF.”
Airport Carbon Accreditation recognises that airports are at different stages in their carbon management journeys, encouraging airports of all sizes — including hubs, regional airports, general aviation, and freight-focused facilities — to advance toward ambitious carbon reduction goals.
With this Level 5 certification, Adelaide and Parafield Airports solidify their role as pioneers in sustainable aviation in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
