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His Excellency Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA), emphasized that this accomplishment reflects the airport’s unwavering commitment to leading sustainable aviation efforts. He stated that maintaining carbon neutrality for the fourth consecutive year aligns with the strategic vision of Sharjah and the UAE in promoting environmental sustainability. He further noted that this milestone is an integral part of the airport’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, focusing on reducing carbon emissions, implementing green initiatives, and launching ambitious projects to offset and balance any remaining emissions. In line with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, Sharjah Airport continues to develop integrated sustainability strategies, including enhancing energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy sources, and implementing innovative policies that improve airport operations while maximizing their positive environmental impact.
His Excellency Ali Salim Al Midfa underscored that this achievement sets a benchmark for airports across the GCC, as the Airport Carbon Accreditation program remains the only global framework recognizing airports’ efforts in reducing CO₂ emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. He reiterated that Sharjah Airport’s continued commitment to sustainability motivates its team to intensify their environmental responsibility initiatives in the aviation sector. He further emphasized the airport’s dedication to finding innovative solutions to enhance energy efficiency, collaborating with local and global partners to shape a greener future for aviation. Inspired by the UAE’s ambitious climate goals, Sharjah Airport aims to serve as a role model for other airports, encouraging them to take similar steps toward achieving long-term environmental objectives and contributing to global climate action.
The Airport Carbon Accreditation program, launched by ACI Europe in 2009 and later expanded to the Asia-Pacific region in 2011, is designed to help airports measure, manage, and reduce carbon emissions through a structured seven-tier accreditation system. This system ranges from basic carbon mapping to achieving full carbon neutrality and beyond, providing a standardized framework for sustainable airport operations worldwide.
Sharjah Airport embarked on its carbon accreditation journey in 2014, progressively advancing through multiple levels of the program. At Level 1 (Mapping) in 2014, it was among the first airports in the region to join the program, systematically mapping carbon emissions from sources within its direct control (Scope 1 & Scope 2) and conducting independent third-party emissions verification. By 2016, it reached Level 2 (Reduction) accreditation by making significant strides in carbon management planning and implementing clean energy projects, including LED lighting installations, optimized HVAC systems, and the introduction of solar energy solutions for taxi and staff parking areas.
In 2018, Sharjah Airport achieved Level 3 (Optimization) accreditation by expanding its sustainability efforts to include Scope 3 emissions, which encompass airline operations, ground handling services, and business partners' activities. The airport actively collaborated with stakeholders to adopt energy-efficient practices, waste management initiatives, and emission reduction strategies, further strengthening its commitment to environmental responsibility.
The most notable milestone came in 2020, when Sharjah Airport achieved Level 3+ (Neutrality) accreditation, becoming the first airport in the GCC and the second in the Middle East to reach full carbon neutrality. This was accomplished by offsetting unavoidable emissions through investments in carbon reduction projects, ensuring a net-zero carbon footprint for airport operations.
Through its continued commitment to sustainability and responsible environmental practices, Sharjah Airport remains at the forefront of green aviation efforts, setting a benchmark for the region while driving meaningful change in the global aviation industry.
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