The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has developed what it describes as a suite of digital tools to enable airports to estimate carbon dioxide emissions associated with construction projects.

IATA created the tools in conjunction with the design, engineering and project management consultancy Atkins. “The digital tools will deliver embodied carbon bench-marking for the three key airport asset types of terminal buildings, runways and multi-story car parks,” IATA says in a statement. “This will enable airport development teams to understand the carbon footprint of development work and enter into dialogue with airport operators about how to mitigate it.”

The association says the “digital toolkit” is believed to be the first of its kind specifically designed to assess the emissions impact of airport terminal building construction projects. “While most current tools measure carbon in general buildings, and at a later stage in the design, this new digital toolkit is specific to aviation and to be applied at a very early stage in the design—adding the most value,” IATA says.

IATA Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security Nick Careen adds: “Our collaboration with Atkins on this innovative digital toolkit will help airports meet their own objectives by providing a crucial platform to evaluate and reduce carbon impacts for new airport developments.”

Atkins Technical Director for Aviation Infrastructure Andy Yates says the toolkit was developed “by a multidisciplinary team, including architecture, airport planning and structural design [experts], as well as carbon experts, ensuring a solution that understands the complexity and multi-faceted approach needed to assess embodied carbon.”

IATA says the toolkit allows for “future adaptability and adjustment of any assumptions."