Noi Bai International Airport achieves Level 1 Airport Carbon Accreditation

Noi Bai International Airport has officially achieved Level 1 under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), the only institutionally-endorsed, global carbon management certification programme for airports owned and governed by Airports Council International (ACI). The Airport has  become the first airport in Viet Nam to attain ACA Level 1 accreditation.

Airport Carbon Accreditation is the only institutionally endorsed, global carbon management certification programme for airports. It independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through seven levels of certification: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 3+, Level 4, Level 4+ and Level 5. Through its seven levels of certification, Airport Carbon Accreditation acknowledges that airports are at different stages in their journey towards comprehensive carbon management. It is a programme for airports of all sizes, extending beyond hubs and regional airports with scheduled passenger traffic to include general aviation and freight focused airports.

Airport Carbon Accreditation relies on internationally recognised methodologies. It provides airports with a common framework for active carbon management, with measurable milestones. The programme is site specific, allowing flexibility to take account of national or local legal requirements while ensuring that the methodology used remains robust. The programme is governed and owned by ACI EUROPE. 

At Level 1, airports identify emission sources, define the inventory boundary and calculate greenhouse gas emissions from Scope 1 and Scope 2 sources. For Noi Bai, this is the first step in building the data needed to monitor and manage emissions.

Noi Bai's work on ACA Level 1 also sits within Viet Nam's broader policy direction on green transition and emissions reduction in transport. Prime Minister's Decision No. 876/QD-TTg dated 22 July 2022 calls for measures to reduce CO2 emissions in aviation and for airports to transition towards green criteria. Ministry of Transport Decision No. 1679/QD-BGTVT dated 22 December 2023 sets out further tasks to advance this work.

By achieving ACA Level 1 in 2026, Noi Bai has also completed the assignment set by Airports Corporation of Viet Nam - JSC (ACV) in Notice No. 5750/TB-TCTCHKVN dated 31 December 2025 on environmental protection and the green transition plan for ACV airports.

Under Prime Minister's Decision No. 42/2026/QD-TTg dated 10 August 2026, Noi Bai International Airport is included in the list of facilities required to conduct greenhouse gas inventories. The Level 1 process has helped the airport put in place the data foundation and inventory methods needed to support this work, while also fulfilling ACV's assignment for 2026.

Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East said “We congratulate Noi Bai International Airport for achieving Level 1 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation. By positioning itself as one of the leaders in efficient carbon management, Noi Bai International Airport displays a robust commitment to building a more sustainable future. This accomplishment aligns perfectly with our industry's collective vision of achieving net zero emissions by 2050”

Building the emissions data foundation
To meet Level 1 requirements, Noi Bai reviewed the activities under its management, identified emission sources and collected the data needed for its greenhouse gas inventory.

The inventory covers a range of sources from the airport's day-to-day operations, including fuel used by vehicles, generators, machinery and equipment; wastewater treatment; refrigerants; and electricity purchased from the grid.

Using these data, the airport prepared a Carbon Footprint Report setting out the calculation methodology, activity data, emission factors and resulting emissions. The process gives Noi Bai an initial quantitative view of emissions generated by the activities it manages.

From mapping to emissions management
The inventory gives Noi Bai a clearer view of where emissions arise across its operations and a basis for tracking trends over time. It also supports a more consistent approach to collecting, storing and managing data on electricity use, fuel, refrigerants and other emission sources.

With its main emission sources identified and quantified, the airport can better assess measures suited to its operating conditions, such as using energy more efficiently, improving equipment performance, making changes to the vehicle fleet and optimising operations. Independent verification of the inventory also increases confidence in the emissions data used for management and environmental reporting.

Achieving ACA Level 1 gives Noi Bai a verified data foundation for making emissions management a regular part of airport operations. It also provides a practical basis for continued monitoring, evaluation and the selection of measures suited to actual operating conditions, supporting more efficient energy use, lower environmental impact and greener, more sustainable airport operations.