LAPU-LAPU CITY — The Mactan-Cebu International Airport has become the first and only airport in the Philippines to achieve Level 2 “Reduction” accreditation from the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East, marking a major step in the country’s push for greener aviation, targets 90 percent emissions cut by 2029, eyes net-zero by 2050. 
The recognition, awarded by ACI APAC & MID under its Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program, validates MCIA’s verified greenhouse gas inventory and its active measures to cut carbon intensity per passenger and per ton of cargo.
“This ACA Level 2 validates that our team is making real, measurable progress in embedding sustainability into every aspect of our operations,” said Ricia Montejo, General Manager of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation, the airport’s private operator. “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.”
MCIA’s path to Level 2 involved identifying all major emission sources and rolling out concrete reduction projects. Among them: 1.64 MWp rooftop solar power system now powering terminal operations; a building management system and smart sensors to optimize energy use
LED lighting conversion and improved HVAC monitoring and maintenance; tracking and optimizing fuel consumption of ground vehicles and equipment.
In 2024, MCIA also launched bridge-mounted equipment that supplies electricity and cabin cooling to parked aircraft, cutting the need to burn jet fuel at the gate, Airport officials said.
By 2025, airlines at MCIA began using full electric ground support equipment and Single-Engine Taxi-In procedures to further reduce emissions during ground operations.
With the accreditation as a springboard, MCIA has set a new Carbon Management Plan targeting over 90 percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emission intensity by 2029, against baseline levels. The long-term goal is net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it said.
“This achievement is a clear testament to what strong public-private synergy can deliver for sustainable infrastructure in the Philippines,” said Julius Neri, Jr., General Manager and CEO of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority. “MCIAA and ACAC remain united in introducing eco-friendly technologies, optimizing airfield efficiency, and building a greener gateway for future generations of travelers.”
Aviation accounts for a growing share of global emissions, and airports are under pressure to decarbonize operations on the ground. Level 2 accreditation means MCIA is not just measuring its footprint, but actively reducing it, a requirement before advancing to Levels 3 and 4, which involve engaging airlines and partners in deeper emissions cuts, Neri said.
For Cebu, the country’s second busiest gateway, the milestone positions MCIA as a model for sustainable airport operations in the region while it continues to expand as a transfer hub for domestic and international travelers.
As MCIA pushes forward, officials say the focus will be on scaling green infrastructure without compromising passenger experience — proving that growth and environmental stewardship can take off together. (Photos: MCIA)
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