Sunshine Coast Airport: Australia’s first carbon neutral airport

Written by Peter Pallot, General Manager, Sunshine Coast Airport

In March 2017, Sunshine Coast Airport in Queensland became the first Australian airport to achieve Level 3+ Neutrality under the Airports Council International Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.

Joining the programme in 2012, the airport’s journey to neutrality was inspired by Sunshine Coast Council’s vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region. The challenge was embraced by the entire Sunshine Coast Airport team and the airport is now recognised around the globe for leading the way in managing carbon emissions and reducing its carbon footprint.

The journey to the top level of the programme was undertaken through an innovative and holistic approach that including the implementation of initiatives touching all parts of the business—from planning, built form and energy reduction initiatives to waste management, recycling, and working with airline and commercial partners.

In 2013, the airport achieved Level 1 – Mapping, followed by Level 2 – Reduction in 2014 and Level 3 – Optimisation in 2016. Since first mapping its carbon usage in 2013, Sunshine Coast Airport’s efforts to reduce its overall carbon footprint have delivered a 24% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, a 9% reduction in electricity consumption per passenger, an 11% reduction in waste to landfill per passenger and a 15% reduction in water consumption.

The airport implemented energy management systems that allowed the business to respond in a more timely manner to customer demand, including automation of the air conditioning system to be responsive to flight schedules, installation of large-scale energy efficient fans to create air movement and assist in reducing air conditioning requirements, and examining the built environment to maximise the use of natural light and recyclable materials.

To significantly reduce the amount of airport waste being sent to landfill the airport installed Australia’s first solar powered On-Site Composting Apparatus (OSCA); fitted three way bin systems inside the terminal, including compartments for general waste, recyclables and compostable items; and worked with tenants and customers to reduce waste via compostable packaging, plates, cups and wooden cutlery.

Water consumption was reduced through a combination of rainwater harvesting and efficiency upgrades, including the implementation of urban sensitive land design to substantially reduce the use of irrigation within the airport precinct. The airport also installed rainwater tanks to harvest water from the terminal roof for use in amenities and landscaping.

Finally, as a means of negating residual emissions, Sunshine Coast Airport purchased Australian Gold Standard Carbon Offsets. For further information on Australia’s first carbon neutral airport, visit www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au.

The article was provided by a third party and, as such, the views expressed therein and/or presented are their own and may not represent or reflect the views of ACI, its management, Board, or members. Readers should not act on the basis of any information contained in the blog without referring to applicable laws and regulations and/or without appropriate professional advice.