![\"Airports\u2019](\"https:\/\/travindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/virgin-2721333_640.jpg\")
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A<\/span>irports are relying on offsets excluded under EU climate laws to help achieve their voluntary target of \u2018carbon neutrality\u2019,\u00a0research\u00a0conducted by sustainable transport group Transport & Environment (T&E) has found.<\/p>\n Airports\u2019 efforts to reduce their emissions are welcome, but T&E said it is concerning that airports have been found using offset project types which are highly unlikely to deliver promised emission reductions and which would not qualify for the EU\u2019s emissions trading system (EU ETS). The claims of carbon neutrality therefore cannot be credibly maintained without serious reforms to this programme.<\/p>\n Andrew Murphy, aviation manager at T&E, said:\u00a0\u201cMany airports are claiming to be carbon neutral, but our research shows these claims must be taken with a pinch of salt. The airports are relying on offsets project types some of which the EU long ago ruled inadmissible due to concerns over their environmental integrity. This programme needs serious reforms if it is to be credible.\u201d<\/p>\n The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme encourages airports to cut their emissions and achieve carbon neutrality through the purchase of offsets. However the ACA has only vague guidelines on what types of offsets may be used and airports are not required to publicly disclose which offsets they purchase. As a result airports are purchasing offsets which would not qualify under EU climate laws. For example, Milan Airport purchased offsets from a large hydro-dam which later collapsed causing enormous damage. Also, Athens airport relied on wind farm offsets originating in China \u2013 offsets which are unlikely to deliver additional emissions reductions and are banned from the EU ETS.<\/p>\n The programme\u2019s criteria for offset credits that airports are allowed to purchase is very general and, unlike the EU ETS, lacks a list of what type of projects cannot be used. T&E said the UN\u2019s aviation agency ICAO, which is currently developing an offsetting scheme for aircraft emissions above 2020 levels, must learn from the mistakes of the airports scheme by agreeing effective environmental criteria which are strictly enforced and properly transparent.<\/p>\n
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