Sustainability and the roadmap to zero carbon airports

Airports around the globe are establishing sustainability initiatives. In November 2021 at United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) , the United States announced their first Aviation Climate Action Plan. The Plan establishes a roadmap to achieve netzero greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. aviation sector by 2050.The partnership between the United Nations Climate Change and Airports Council International has sparked growth in the climate action of airports.

These actions include emission reductions by airport operators: investment in renewable energy; energy efficient lighting and heating systems; and operational changes.

To successfully reduce their carbon footprints, airport operators need to invest in two critical areas. First is the need to shift to more sustainable energy sources to replace aviation fuel. Secondly, design energy sustainable airports that do not consume massive amounts of energy. Our airport sustainability expert Richard Palmer walks us through what it would take to make airports attain zero carbon emissions.

Challenges That Airports Face In Reducing Their Footprint

Airports have unique needs that make it challenging to adopt sustainable practices immediately. Here are some key challenges that impact airports in their mission to zero-carbon airports.

• Addressing scope three emissions. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges that many airports worldwide face is how to deal with scope three emissions. Simply defined, Scope 3 emissions are emissions from third parties or activities from their assets that the airports have no control over or do own. Airports do not own the planes that land on their premises, which may be challenging to regulate.

• Little to no technological substitutes. Most industries hitting their carbon reduction goals have technology to thank. However, there are no technological substitutes for fossil fuels in the aviation industry. This makes it generally difficult to reduce carbon emissions due to how airports and the aviation industry are set up.

• Slow industry trends. We have seen lots of disruption in other industries but almost no change in how the aviation industry works recently. Richard Palmer, our industry expert, ascertains that the aviation industry hasn’t seen much change. Aviation leaders have to wait for significant events such as the 9/11 bombing to change their operations.

REALISTIC ROUTES TO ZERO-CARBON AIRPORTS

Airports can adopt impactful approaches that can make them sustainable even if they do not have the resources to make massive changes. Here are three actions that an airport can do to attain net zero carbon emissions.

Optimize their buildings and operations

Airports offer an intermodal form of transport as they deal with both land and air transport. While it may be difficult to reduce the footprint from the aviation aspect, operators can streamline some processes to make them energy efficient.

They can do so by reducing their reliance on electricity and increasing their use of renewable energy from local firms. Renewable energy can help heat the buildings, cooling, cooking, and even lighting.

Airports also have to think about the electrification of vehicles in their premises since they offer intermodal transport. According to Richard Palmer, they can contract car hire services that use electric cars or even set up charging ports for their clients.

Localized generation of power

It may be difficult for airports to generate renewable energy. However, they can look up to their surrounding local communities for help. Airports can enter partnership agreements with local solar and even wind energy producers. Alternatively, they can set up their renewable energy systems, such as investing in roof solar.

Offset residual carbon

It may be difficult to attain net-zero carbon emission as there is bound to be residual carbon. This is because airports are made from other materials that may also have a footprint. A great way around this is focusing on the big solutions that can make an impact, such as reducing carbon footprint by 95%. Airports should also focus on nature-based solutions and avoid commercial solutions that will require expensive investments.

Building The Zerocarbon Airport Of The Future

Climate change is a significant threat to the aviation industry. From infrastructure and financial instability to erratic weather patterns affecting tourism, the impacts of climate change will continue to escalate. To address these challenges today and into the future, airports must employ a combination of technical, operational and social solutions.

Sustainability at Chicago O’Hare International Airport

The Dar Group is proud to have led the sustainability initiatives of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) since 2003. The CDA recently announced the $8.5 billion O’Hare 21 development program, which includes terminal redevelopment and other capital program at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. CDA updated thier industry-leading Sustainable Airport Manual (SAM) earlier this year to enhance the focus on sustainability strategies for terminal space, and to enhance the passenger experience. SAM will continue to be incorporated into all O’Hare 21 design, construction, operations, and maintenance projects for CDA facilities and for concessionaires and tenants.