Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific & the Middle East, described how the airports in the region turned into a center of sustainability-peloping a clean zero commitment, embracing carbon accreditation, building climate resilience and encouraging measurable environment progress.
C: ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East
Flights have long been a driving force behind socio-economic development; Connect people, strengthen trade, and bridge culture throughout the continent. The global aviation industry supports more than 86.5 million jobs and contributes to US $ 4.1 trillion which is impressive in economic activities, accounts for 3.9% of the world’s GDP. However, in addition to extraordinary expansion and global reach, increasingly urgent challenges: the increasing impact of aviation climate.
When the flight jumped towards an unprecedented future, our projection revealed a surprising change: in 2053, airports throughout the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East would welcome nearly 11 billion passengers-which were close to three times from 3.9 billion in 2024. This was not just a growth story; This is the story of transformation. The airport is no longer a transit point, they appear as climate action champions – become a gateway to a greener and more sustainable future.
Pioneered the road to clean zero
In 2053, airports throughout the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East will welcome nearly 11 billion passengers three times out of 3.9 billion in 2024.
Airports throughout the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East became the first segment of the flight industry which collectively committed to achieving net carbon emissions in 2050. As a result, our airport members from Asia-Pacific and the Middle East adopted resolution in 2022, in Singapore, promising support for 2050 zero net destinations.
This brave leadership came even before ICAO member countries formally form the same target through the adoption of ‘long-term aspirational goals’ (Ltag). Commitment triggers strong changes: The number of airports in our area targeting net zero in 2050 has now reached more than 30.
This is not just about setting targets. This represents movement in all regions where the airport instills sustainability into their operational DNA.
C: ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East
Driving action through airport carbon accreditation
To help the airport switch from aspiration to action, ACI Asia-Pacific & the Middle East has intensified support for the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACA). Recognized globally and independently, ACA provides a comprehensive and progressive framework for the airport to manage and reduce their carbon emissions. This program is designed to be inclusive and adaptable, accommodate airports at various stages of their climate travel, whether they just started mapping their emissions or working towards full carbon neutrality and clean -up transition planning.
The results spoke a lot. At present, 645 airports worldwide are accredited by ACA, and our region makes a developing contribution. In the latest ACA reporting cycle for 2023-2024, airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East collectively reduce more than 529,000 tons of CO2 equivalent. That is a reduction that is proportional to the use of annual energy of more than 100,000 households. At present, 115 airports in our area are actively participating in this program, and together they are handling nearly 33% of the total regional passenger traffic. These numbers clarify: The airport is no longer waiting for changes – they drive it.
Practical Path: Zero Net Roadmap
Outside of certification, ACI Asia-Pacific & the Middle East also encourage strategic support that is adjusted to help the airport map their own courses to get zero carbon emissions. ‘Net Zero Roadmap Program’ has been developed as a direct planning tool to help the airport design a strong decarbonization strategy. This allows the airport to map their emission sources, set scientific -based reduction targets, and plan coordinated actions throughout the infrastructure, operations, and energy systems. Importantly, this supports the airport in evaluating the needs of capital expenditure, developing governance structures, and identifying proper financing options.
C: ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East
This initiative was launched at Cebu Airport in the Philippines and Raja Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Saudi Arabia. KKIA became the first airport to undergo a comprehensive gap assessment, which provides detailed understanding of its current emission profile and puts the foundation for long -term clean -term zero strategies. Through this program, we help the airport (regardless of its size or resource) Building trust and capacity for complex paths towards clean zero carbon emissions.
Climate resistance
Climate action is not just about mitigation – that also means preparing for the disorder in the future. With extreme weather events become more frequent and more severe, adaptation is no longer optional. Realizing this, ACI Asia-Pacific & the Middle East have partnered with Aecom, a global infrastructure leader and a trusted professional service company known for his expertise in all water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings, to develop studies on climate resilience. This study aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity of the airport throughout our region.
Over the next 12 months, this initiative will give the airport members of technical support, tools for climate risk assessment, and adjusted guidelines to identify vulnerability and develop strategic adaptation plans. These plans will be based on regional data and formed by the best international practice, providing the airport they need to protect operations, passengers and assets in an increasingly unexpected climate environment.
Recognition of green airports
At ACI Asia-Pacific & the Middle East, we launched a ‘Green Airport recognition program’ nine years ago with a clear vision to inspire and accelerate environmental leadership throughout the airport community. More than almost a decade, this program has made a significant impact. This not only recognizes extraordinary sustainability initiatives, but also encourages the spirit of collaboration and sustainable improvement among our members. We have seen the growth of year-to-year-to-year participation, with airports from all sizes, from global hubs to regional gateway, embracing the best practices of the environment. This momentum encourages deeper environmental awareness in all sectors and encourages innovative solutions to the challenges of complex sustainability.
Advocacy in action
As an airport vote, ACI Asia-Pacific & the Middle East are committed to advance the climate and operational practices that prepare our industry for the low-carbon future.
Through technical programs, collaboration and advocacy platforms, we encourage measurable progress towards clean zero carbon emissions. Sustainability is no longer aspirational – this is a shared responsibility, and we help the airport translate ambitions become an impact.
At the upcoming ICAO DGCA Conference in Sendai, Japan in July 2025, ACI Asia-Pacific & the Middle East will present a discussion paper on resilience and climate adaptation, calling for states to actively support their airports in involved with our regional study of climate adaptation approaches. This paper will encourage the adoption of practical tools, such as climate maturity checks and climate risk assessment tools, to increase long -term preparedness and resilience in all airport ecosystems.
In addition, we will send information paper that highlights three runway initiatives that guide the airport along their sustainability journey: Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACA), Clean Zero Road Pilot, and Green Airport Recognition. This initiative provides a structured path towards carbon reduction, operational efficiency and environmental leadership.
By aligning advocacy with implementation, and ambitions with accountability, we form a new narrative for flights in our region-responsible, and ready in the future.
C: ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East
Stefano Baronci Is the Director General of the Asia Pacific International Airport Council (ACI), the trade association representing the interests of the airports in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
Appointed in December 2019, Stefano is responsible for driving and carrying out the Association Strategic Plan and overseeing a professional team in a regional office based in Hong Kong. He has more than 20 years of analytical and representational experience at the national and international level in the aviation sector, representing the airport and airline industry. He is very familiar with the ACI community, who previously served as Director of Economics at ACI World in Montreal and senior policy managers in ACI Europe in Brussels. Stefano also served as Secretary General of Assaeroporti, Association of Italian Airport Operators, and Assistant Director and ATM Infrastructure Experts at the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Originally from Italy, he holds the title of executive MBA from Warwick University in the UK and graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of La Sapienza in Rome, Italy.
