ACI-ACA LEVEL 4 ACCREDITATION MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FOR THE AIRPORT TOWARD REDUCING CO₂ EMISSIONS BY 2050
International Zagreb Airport Jsc. has successfully obtained Level 4 certification under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program, awarded by Airports Council International (ACI), thereby joining an elite group of airports committed to systematically reducing carbon dioxide emissions and operating sustainably.
Achieving this level of certification confirms significant progress in emission management practices. The airport not only measures and reduces its own emissions but also actively engages partners and users in shared climate objectives. At the Level 4 stage, the airport is implementing comprehensive decarbonization plans, aligning activities with the principles of climate transition, and making decisions based on long-term emission reduction targets.
Special emphasis is placed on collaboration with all relevant stakeholders - airlines, service providers, and the local community - to jointly reduce the overall carbon footprint.
Accordingly, International Zagreb Airport Jsc. has implemented a series of concrete measures aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. By 2024, emissions from direct and indirect sources (Scope 1 and 2) were reduced by 81,6% compared to the 2018 baseline. With planned terminal expansion and anticipated traffic growth, the goal is to reduce total emissions by 70,48% by 2050.
Key initiatives defined through 2050 include:
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Electricity consumption reduction: lighting replacement from halogen to LED, expand solar infrastructure
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Thermal Efficiency: renovation of legacy buildings with high heat loss, reconstruction of boiler systems, installation of thermostatic valves
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Renewable energy: use of electricity from renewable sources, expansion of solar infrastructure, hot water production using sun collectors.
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Emergency Systems: gradual replacement of diesel generators with hydrogen-ready systems
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Control of electricity, water, gas, oil consumption: improvement of HVAC management through management and control of BMS system.
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Implementation of the lifecycle plan: replacement of old equipment
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Training: employee/stakeholders’ education and informing (through presentations/leaflets) to highlight importance of energy efficiency.
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Scope 3 Engagement: expansion of the Stakeholder Partnership Plan to influence third-party emissions
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Sustainable fleet: 64,2 % of vehicles need to be replaced by electric or low-emission alternatives
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Emission offset projects: carbon removal through planting trees based on cooperation with the local community
Since 2018, which was the first full year of operation for the new passenger terminal opened in March 2017, International Zagreb Airport Jsc. has carried out numerous energy efficiency projects and usage of renewable energy sources. In 2025, a 250-kW solar power plant was installed, with plans for future expansion. Since 2022, the airport has used only electricity from renewable sources, reducing Scope 2 emissions to zero. The planned replacement of 64,2% of the fleet with electric and low-carbon vehicles by 2050 will contribute to an additional reduction of 795.61 tCO₂. In cooperation with the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar, an energy renovation study was conducted for five buildings, predicting annual savings of at least 67.6 tCO₂.
International Zagreb Airport Jsc. remains committed to sustainable development and actively contributing to the fight against climate change.