In a landmark achievement, Naples' Capodichino Airport has emerged as a trailblazer in environmental sustainability by becoming Italy's first airport to secure the prestigious Level 5 certification under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program by ACI Europe.

This milestone places it among a select group of ten airport operators worldwide to have reached such a level of environmental dedication.

Established as a global benchmark, the ACA program prescribes a structured framework for airports to manage, reduce, and offset their CO2 emissions.

Capodichino has been an active participant since 2013, consistently advancing through the program's stages and culminating in its recent attainment of the highest certification level, which demands not only the reduction of direct emissions from airport operations but also indirect emissions associated with airline partners and other stakeholders.

"Since joining the ACA program in 2013," Capodichino's leadership remarked, "our airport has methodically met the highest certification standards, achieving net zero direct emissions by methodically transitioning through the outlined benchmarks." Significant landmarks in this journey included attaining Level 3+ Neutrality by 2018, and Level 4+ Transition in 2022, a testament to its alignment with the Paris Agreement’s climate goals.

The Level 5 certification, introduced in 2023, marks the apex of environmental accountability within the program, necessitating a comprehensive approach to achieving a multi-stakeholder emission reduction.

This involves the commitment of the entire airport ecosystem, from airlines to external service providers, underscoring a holistic dedication to decarbonization.

GESAC, the airport’s managing entity, orchestrated a robust green strategy featuring investments exceeding €16 million.

This includes a bespoke 2.4 MW photovoltaic system augmenting energy independence, solar thermal panels transitioning the fire brigade outpost away from fossil fuels, a phase-wise shift to electric airport vehicles, urban forestry endeavors, and sophisticated flight operation protocols.

As a result, the airport has significantly diminished its auditory and carbon footprint, reducing over 30,000 tons of CO2 emissions and lessening noise impact by halving the exposed population thanks to altered flight paths.

As the aviation sector grapples with its environmental responsibilities, Capodichino sets a compelling precedent.

It exemplifies how airports can lead the charge in sustainability, heralding a future where travel is in harmony with the environment.