As the Toulouse Declaration today marks a new chapter in Europe’s journey towards aviation’s net zero 2050 goal, airports from across the continent have emerged as one of the strongest voices driving the initiative forwards.

The Toulouse Declaration marks the first time that European Governments, the European Commission, industry, unions and other key stakeholders formally align on aviation decarbonisation. It is a highly significant moment, paving the way for the concrete next steps, both in the establishment of an EU Pact for Aviation Decarbonisation, and globally as we look to the UN’s ICAO to set a global goal for international aviation later this year.

Airports have long been first movers in leading the challenge of decarbonising aviation. With almost 200 European airports now certified under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, and close to 400 airports globally¹, our work to reaching net zero carbon emissions for those operations under our control by 2050 continues to make tangible progress. European airports jointly made this public undertaking in 2019, and have since reconfirmed this goal with a number of airports publishing roadmaps taking them to this target by 2030 and a handful of trailblazers already there. They are also actively engaging with their business partners and stakeholders to advance decarbonisation of the broader air transport system.

ACI EUROPE’s signing of the Declaration, both in its own right and as a partner in the Destination 2050 aviation industry roadmap, is now complemented by the individual undertaking of over 200 airports across the continent adding their signatures.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said: “Each and every airport undersigning this Declaration is making a tangible difference to our future as an industry, as an economy and as a society. They continue to demonstrate ambition, vision and excellence in their sustainable actions. I admire and applaud each and every one of them”.