Sydney Airport achieves international Airport Carbon Accreditation recognition

PRESS RELEASE

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

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.

“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.”

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’.

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 also welcomed the accreditation.

“I wish to congratulate Sydney Airport on becoming Airport Carbon Accredited at Level 3, Optimisation,” Mrs 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.

“We look forward to working closely with the airport on their journey towards carbon neutrality.”

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.

For more information visit www.sydneyairport.com.au or www.airportcarbonaccredited.org

ABOUT SYDNEY AIRPORT 

Sydney Airport is Australia’s gateway airport, serving 42 million passengers a year and connecting Sydney to a network of close to 100 international, domestic and regional destinations.

Located just eight kilometres from the city centre, Sydney Airport contributes $30.8 billion in economic activity a year, equivalent to 6.4 per cent of the NSW economy. Sydney Airport is a major employer in NSW, generating more than 306,700 direct and indirect jobs, equivalent to 8.9 per cent of NSW employment. Some 29,000 of these jobs are at the airport itself.

Contact:

Joeley Pettit

Manager, Media and Communications

0437 033 479