30/08/2016 (Agence Europe) – The French airport of Nice Côte d’Azur, the 25th biggest airport in the world, has become the first French airport to be granted carbon-neutral status, announced ACI EUROPE association, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur and the United Nations (UNFCCC) on Tuesday 30 August. This status is certified by an independent airport carbon accreditation programme launched by ACI EUROPE in 2009, which has four certification levels. (1. Mapping, 2. Reduction, 3. Optimisation and 4. Neutrality). Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has managed to cut its carbon footprint by 75% per passenger kg and has now entered a new stage by buying carbon credits to compensate for emissions under its direct control. The accreditation programme is part of the UNFCCC’s ‘Climate Neutral Now.’ Some 33.6% of airlines passengers around the world use airports certified by this programme. (AN)