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Operated by Egis in partnership with the Pau-Béarn Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 2017, Pau Pyrénées Airport has reached a new milestone in its environmental transition by achieving Level 3 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), awarded by ACI1.
This new accreditation recognises not only the significant reduction in the airport’s direct emissions (Scopes 1 & 2) - down by 37.4% compared to 2019 - but also its efforts to engage operational partners (Scope 3) in a collective decarbonisation approach.
Concrete and measurable actions
The initiatives implemented focus primarily on optimising and transforming the airport’s energy use2:
- Transition to LED lighting and installation of a building management system (lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning), along with an energy audit
- Gradual replacement of fossil-fuelled equipment with electric alternatives (baggage tractors, ground power units, wildlife hazard management vehicles)
- Procurement of biogas covering 25% of consumption
- Provision of electricity to aircraft to reduce reliance on auxiliary power units (APUs)
- Energy-saving campaigns and staff awareness initiatives.
In line with ACA Level 3 requirements, the airport has extended its efforts to include stakeholders, notably through a partner commitment charter, already signed by several airport partners.
A long-term strategy
The airport is pursuing a 2050 decarbonisation roadmap, which also includes an ambitious biodiversity component. In 2024, it was awarded Level 2 of the “aérobio” label by the Aéro Biodiversité association, recognising its actions to protect local flora and fauna within the airport perimeter.
Next steps include further energy efficiency and electrification projects for ground support equipment, the deployment of charging stations for electric vehicles and aircraft, and the installation of solar panel canopies.3 In addition, getting all stakeholders (staff, passengers and partners) on board with the environmental approach is a key objective.
As shareholder and operating partner, Egis supports the airport in implementing innovative and sustainable solutions, in line with its vision of environmentally responsible regional development.
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ACA levels of airports operated by Egis as shareholder and partner:
Level 4+: Larnaka, Paphos, Abidjan
Level 4: Paris Beauvais
Level 3+: Brazzaville
Level 3: Pau, Bergerac
Level 2: Brest, Tahiti-Faa’a, Ostend-Bruges, Antwerp
Level 1: Pointe-Noire
1 ACI: Airports Council International - https://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org/en/
2 With the support of the Syndicat Mixte de l'Aéroport Pau-Pyrénées, the airport’s public owner.
3 A project led by the Syndicat Mixte de l’Aéroport Pau-Pyrénées.
