Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has become the first and only airport in the Philippines to achieve Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation, marking a new milestone in the country’s push for more sustainable aviation.
The accreditation from Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East recognizes MCIA’s verified greenhouse gas inventory and implementation of carbon management measures that have reduced carbon intensity per traffic unit, covering passenger movements and cargo volumes.
Ricia Montejo, general manager of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp., said the certification validates measurable progress in embedding sustainability into airport operations.
“By balancing smart energy solutions with world-class service, we are ensuring that Cebu’s growth as a premier transfer hub remains environmentally responsible and aligned with global best practices,” Montejo said.
MCIA has implemented energy-efficiency measures through its building management system, while also harnessing a 1.64-megawatt-peak rooftop solar installation. Other measures include smart sensors, improved heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning monitoring and maintenance, fuel-use monitoring for vehicles and equipment, and the conversion to LED lighting.
Julius G. Neri Jr., general manager and CEO of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, said the achievement demonstrates what public-private cooperation can deliver in sustainable infrastructure.
Under its updated Carbon Management Plan, MCIA aims to cut Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions intensity by more than 90 percent by 2029 from baseline levels, supporting its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The airport has also introduced measures targeting aircraft and ground operations. In 2024, it began using bridge-mounted equipment to provide parked aircraft with electricity and cabin cooling without requiring them to burn jet fuel.
Airlines operating at MCIA began adopting full-electric ground support equipment and Single-Engine Taxi-In procedures in 2025 to reduce fuel consumption during ground operations.
The Level 2 accreditation strengthens MCIA’s position as the Philippines’ leading airport in carbon management while setting a higher sustainability benchmark for the country’s aviation industry.
