Sydney Airport achieves Airport Carbon Accreditation

Sydney Opera House is following a new environmental sustainability plan

Sydney Airport has achieved Airports Council International (ACI) Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation by working with airport business partners to manage and reduce carbon emissions.

Airport Carbon Accreditation recognises and accredits the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions, with four levels of certification: Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation and Neutrality.

Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather welcomed the accreditation.

“This is a fantastic result that recognises our continued work with airlines, tenants, business partners and airport staff to map and then reduce our overall airport carbon footprint,” Ms Mather said.

“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.”

To achieve Level 3, Optimisation – Sydney Airport was required to:

  • measure emissions from the landing and take-off cycle, electricity usage, ground transport and staff business travel;
  • provide evidence of stakeholder engagement;
  • meet level one and two accreditation requirements; and
  • show a reduction in its carbon footprint by analysing the carbon emissions data of three consecutive years.

ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Director Patti Chau said the program is the only institutionally-endorsed, carbon management certification standard for airports.

“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.

In addition to achieving Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation, Sydney Airport has implemented a range of environmental initiatives, including:

  • a $5 million 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.

ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation is an international and industry recognised certification program designed to assess and recognise airports’ efforts to manage and reduce their carbon emissions.

It is the only industry-specific, performance-based, voluntary and institutionally- endorsed accreditation label designed specifically for airports.

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