Sunshine Coast Airport becomes Australia’s first carbon neutral airport

Sunshine Coast Airport is the first Australian airport to achieve carbon neutrality under the Airport Carbon Accreditation program.

The program recognises airports around the globe for managing their carbon emissions and reducing carbon footprints.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said Sunshine Coast Airport had made the journey to the top level of the program, Level 3+ Neutrality, over the past five years with an innovative and holistic approach.

“This achievement is the final step in the program and I am proud to see the airport continuing as an industry leader in reducing carbon emissions,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“Their journey to carbon neutrality is testament to the airport’s complete commitment to council’s vision of being Australia’s most sustainable region - healthy, smart and creative.

“Becoming carbon neutral is a credit to work put in by our airport management and staff.”

Sunshine Coast Airport joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation program in 2012 and set a target to become carbon neutral by 2018.

In 2013, the airport achieved Level 1 Mapping, followed by Level 2 Reduction in 2014 and Level 3 Optimisation last year.

Airport general manager Peter Pallot said achieving carbon neutrality was a fantastic milestone.

“The team have worked incredibly hard to make Sunshine Coast Airport the most sustainable airport in the country,” Mr Pallot said.

“To date our initiatives have delivered a 24% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, 9% reduction in electricity consumption per passenger and an 11% reduction in waste to landfill per passenger.”

Since mapping its carbon usage in 2013, Sunshine Coast Airport has continued to work on its carbon footprint reduction program through a series of low energy initiatives including investments in low energy lighting and air conditioning, the implementation of waste reduction, recycling programs, the use of water sensitive urban design, water usage reduction and water harvesting.

“We are proud to purchase Australian Gold Standard Carbon Offsets to negate our residual emissions,” Mr Pallot said.

“We chose to purchase Australian Carbon Offsets to support the Australian offset market and restore native forests.”

Airports Council International Asia-Pacific regional director Patti Chau also recognised the   commitment required in achieving Level 3+ Neutrality under the Airport Carbon Accreditation.

“I would like to congratulate Sunshine Coast Airport in becoming the first carbon neutral airport in Australia!,” Mrs Chau said.

“Level 3+ Neutrality is the highest level of environmental achievement available to airports under the Airport Carbon Accreditation program and it is recognition of the airport's great effort in reducing and offsetting emissions.

“We are proud of Sunshine Coast Airport's achievement and its commitment to sustainability which has set a good example for airports in the region.

“ACI will continue to work with our airport members in their journey towards carbon neutrality which is crucial for the sustainable development of our industry.”