Following recent investments in renewable energy and electric vehicles Nice Côte d’Azur, one of the busiest business aviation airports in Europe, has become the first carbon neutral airport in France, achieving Level 3+ Carbon Accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI).
Investments in environmental initiatives include the switch to 100% renewable energy, testing the first fully electric airport shuttle bus with boost charging, and the introduction of an autonomous power and air conditioning supply system for business air travel. The airport achieved the carbon neutral status two years ahead of its initial deadline of 2018.
Since 2011, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur has been implementing the ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program which helps airports around the globe measure their carbon footprint and take initiatives to drastically cut their greenhouse gases at four different levels of accreditation (mapping, reduction, optimisation and neutrality).
Since 2010, Nice has cut its kilograms of CO2 per passenger by 75%, in particular thanks to a successful partnership with Electricité de France and the signature of a contract for the purchase of 100% French hydroelectric power.
Dominique Thillaud, CEO of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, said, “Our Group is committed to making the necessary reductions in the carbon emissions of its day-to-day activities. We are proud to declare that Nice is the first airport in France to have been able to cut its emissions and offset the remainder, whilst increasing its capacity to cope with a rise in passenger numbers. Becoming Carbon Neutral two years ahead of target is a mark of the strong commitment that can be seen across the ACA Group, including Cannes Mandelieu and Saint-Tropez airports.”
