Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) has received recognition from Airports Council International Europe’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program. The ACA program is an internationally recognized framework designed to independently assess and recognize airports for their efforts to reduce carbon emissions. 


CLE earned Level 1 - Mapping for taking a critical step towards its ambitious sustainability goals by compiling a carbon footprint report to quantify its annual carbon emissions. 

This ACA achievement recognizes CLE’s continued commitment to achieving Net Zero Emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 sources by 2050. 


“This achievement reflects our strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Reaching Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 1 is just the beginning of our journey. We are dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint, improving operational efficiency, and collaborating with our partners to create a more sustainable future for our airport and greater community,” Bryant L. Francis, C.M., Director of Port Control.


CLE has formalized its Sustainability Program through its recently completed Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) and is currently in the implementation phase of the SMP Year 1 Actions. Several SMP Year 1 Actions focus on energy efficiency and emissions reductions, including but not limited to:

  • Converting existing airport lighting to LED, including indoor facilities, airfield, parking, and CLE-controlled street lighting
  • Applying Sustainable Design and Construction Criteria to all Capital Improvement Projects in the Terminal Modernization Development Program including high-performance building systems, renewable energy integration and LEED certification.
  • Conducting energy audits to identify energy conservation opportunities in existing buildings.
     

The City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office of Sustainability also recently published its Municipal Action Plan (MAP), which highlights goals and actions complementary to the 2025 Cleveland Climate Action Plan (CAP). The Cleveland MAP includes goals such as reducing building energy use by 50% by 2030 and electrifying 100% of city-owned buildings by 2040. By aligning airport operations with the City MAP and CAP goals through its SMP, CLE has holistically committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also serving the Cleveland community:

More information about CLE’s sustainability policies and goals can be found at https://www.clevelandairport.com/about-cle/environmental-sustainability.