Sydney Airport in Australia has been accredited at Level 3 of the Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program in recognition of its efforts to involve business partners in reducing its carbon footprint.
The ACA program accredits airports at four levels of certification including Mapping, Reduction, Optimization and Neutrality. To achieve ‘Optimization’ the airport was required to provide evidence of stakeholder engagement; meet level one and two accreditation requirements; measure emissions from the landing and take-off cycle, electricity usage, ground transport and staff business travel; and show a reduction in its carbon footprint by analyzing the carbon emissions data for three consecutive years.
Kerrie Mather, managing director and CEO, Sydney Airport, said, “This is a fantastic result that recognizes our continued work with airlines, tenants, business partners and airport staff to map and then reduce our overall airport carbon footprint.
“This recognition reflects our efforts to implement key environmental initiatives across our operations, as well as engage with our stakeholders on how we can support their efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
“Sydney Airport has already delivered a 25.6% reduction in carbon emissions per passenger since 2010, well ahead of our target date. We’ve also achieved an absolute reduction of 8%, a great result given the growth of our business since 2010.”
Patti Chau, regional director, ACI Asia-Pacific, said, “Sydney Airport’s achievement is no small feat. It is a demonstration of the airport’s commitment in operating the airport in an environmentally sustainable manner together with its business partners, with the willingness to go the extra mile. We look forward to working closely with the airport on their journey toward carbon neutrality.”
In addition to achieving Level 3, Sydney Airport has implemented a range of environmental initiatives, including a A$5m (US$3.8m) investment in environmentally-friendly ground transport, including: Australia’s first electric airport buses; investing significantly to reduce water usage across the airport including development of a recycled water treatment plant; investing to facilitate cleaner, quieter, next generation aircraft; developing an energy and carbon reduction plan to identify new energy savings, greenhouse gas emission reductions and energy efficiency opportunities; becoming the first Australian airport to release a Sustainability Report in line with GRI G4 reporting requirements; development and implementation of an Environment Strategy and a Sustainability Strategy; partnering with environmental education provider Kids Teaching Kids, mentoring future environmental leaders; and working with Conservation Volunteers Australia to deliver environmentally beneficial outcomes across the local community, including a bush regeneration program at Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
Written by Dan Symonds