Net-Zero Airport: Airport International Group's Roadmap for QAIA

Airport International Group held its Environment, Social, Health and Safety (ESHS) Committee meeting on September 21 under the patronage of Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport, H.E. Eng Wesam Tahtamouni.

Also present were Madaba Mayor, Aref Rawajeeh, and representatives from the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC), Civil Defense Directorate and companies working at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA).

Chaired by Airport International Group CEO, Nicolas Claude, the meeting addressed several relevant topics, with particular emphasis on QAIA’s carbon management and accreditation.

On this front, QAIA was the first carbon-neutral airport in the region, as well as the first in the Middle East and second in Asia Pacific to reach the highest level of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program (4+ ‘Transition’) - with future plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Meanwhile, between 2012 and 2021, Airport International Group successfully reduced its overall carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 25%, with a special focus on energy conservation, which constitutes nearly 92% of overall emission sources.

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Together with major stakeholders and concerned authorities, the ESHS Committee also tackles waste management, environmental accidents, hydrocarbon spills and soil and groundwater pollution, among others.

The committee emphasises Airport International Group’s dedication to fostering a decarbonized, climate-friendly QAIA that cares about its surrounding environment and local communities.

H.E. Tahtamouni said: “Today, we commemorate QAIA achieving the highest level of the ACA Program, demonstrating the diligent efforts of airport management in implementing multiple initiatives aimed at curbing carbon emissions, despite the challenges faced during recent years.

"To overcome obstacles and find suitable solutions, we require enhanced coordination between the public and private sectors, emphasizing the significance of the ESHS Committee, which was established per the requirements of CARC and the understanding of Airport International Group - QAIA investor and operator - of the importance of highlighting such issues in order to propose viable solutions."

Claude commented: “For more than 10 years, Airport International Group has been consistently taking active measures to reduce its carbon footprint and protect the environment to position QAIA as a sustainable airport.

"In acknowledgment of these efforts, we have received multiple international recognitions and accolades over the years from prestigious industry organizations, such as Airports Council International World, which represents the collective interests of airports across the globe.”

Claude added: “During this meeting, we outlined a roadmap for transforming QAIA into a net-zero airport by 2050 in collaboration with our partners, including companies operating at QAIA, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Environment, CARC, Madaba, Al Jizah municipalities and various local entities, whom we sincerely thank for their steadfast support and ongoing cooperation.”

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