Adelaide and Parafield Airports internationally recognised for managing carbon emissions

Adelaide and Parafield Airports have become the first airports in Australia to be recognised internationally for mapping and committing to reduce carbon emissions.

Adelaide Airport Ltd (AAL), which operates both airports, received Airport Carbon Accreditation Mapping Level certificates at the ACI World Annual Congress in Istanbul, Turkey for its work in measuring its carbon footprint.

Airport Carbon Accreditation is an independently assessed global program that recognises airports’ efforts to manage and reduce their CO2 emissions.

AAL Managing Director, Mark Young, said the company was proud to be the first in Australia, and one of the first in the Asia Pacific region, to achieve accreditation.

“For the past five years we have been assessing our carbon footprint associated with activities such as operating terminal buildings, use of plant and vehicles and staff travel,” Mr Young said.

“We’ve previously received Australia-wide recognition for our environmental activities, and it is a significant achievement to receive international recognition for this work.

“We’re now aiming to reach the next level of accreditation for our carbon footprint management and reduction.

“Adelaide Airport has already undertaken a number of green initiatives that will help us reach this goal, including solar power, energy reduction in the main terminal and stormwater re-use.

“In addition, we’ve entered a ‘clean energy’ partnership with the University of Adelaide to support the development of initiatives that we believe will significantly change the way in which we use energy in the future.”

Airport Carbon Accreditation was first launched by ACI Europe in 2009, and was extended to ACI Asia-Pacific in November 2011.  It is an independent program administered by WSP Environment & Energy, an international consultancy appointed to enforce the accreditation criteria for airports.

Further information on Airport Carbon Accreditation can be found at http://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org/.