Austin airport earns carbon neutrality accreditation, key to city's environmental goals
Author: Claire Lawrence
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has earned accreditation as carbon neutral for the second straight year and is the only carbon neutral airport in the United States, according to airport officials. “We are very excited about it,” said BJ Carpenter, sustainability coordinator for the airport's environmental division. “It is not an easy task to be able to achieve. For a smaller, medium-sized airport to be able to achieve this level of carbon neutrality is exciting. We think it’s a positive driver for carbon management at the airport, and we’re very proud of it.” The Airport Carbon Accreditation Program awarded Austin-Bergstrom a level 3+ accreditation for neutrality, which goes to an airport when any carbon emissions that can't be stopped by actions and practices are paid for with offsets. Carbon offsetting occurs when the airport spends money on carbon reduction projects to make up for emissions that cannot be completely eliminated. The city of Austin's Department of Aviation has reduced the airport's carbon footprint by paying to provide airport shuttle buses that run on renewable natural gas, using solar energy around the airport in partnership with Austin Energy and collaborating with airlines to use more zero-emission ground service equipment. “We have a long history of working with tenants and airlines at the airport to push forward sustainable initiatives, whether it be carbon reduction, resource reduction, efficiency work or airport environments,” Carpenter said.