Adelaide Airport has become Australia’s first major airport to reach carbon neutrality, marking a significant environmental achievement.
Since 2018, the airport has slashed carbon emissions by nearly 90 per cent through energy efficiency, onsite solar and purchasing 100 per cent renewable energy from a South Australian wind farm.
Its latest step involves offsetting remaining emissions by buying certified Australian Carbon Credit Units from a land regeneration project in the Gawler Ranges.
The airport is also installing over 3,700 solar panels on its terminal roof, tripling its existing solar capacity.
From January 2024, all electricity needs have been met by renewable energy, thanks to its solar systems and a partnership with Lake Bonney wind farms.
Adelaide Airport Managing Director Brenton Cox lauded the milestone moment but acknowledged there’s more to achieve on the sustainability front
“Our strategy has focussed on seeking to reduce carbon intensity through upgrading to more efficient alternatives, increasing onsite renewable energy generation, and supporting renewable energy projects in South Australia through the airport’s electricity contract,” he said.
“Adelaide Airport is targeting a 100 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We are pleased to have achieved our scope 1 and 2 target ahead of our 2030 timeframe but there is still a long way to go to achieve our net zero ambitions which includes emissions from flights to and from Adelaide.”
Cox also flagged the need to increase the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption,
“Development and use of sustainable aviation fuel is critical to achieving net zero, and in November we joined with the South Australian Government, Zero Petroleum and Qantas to assess the development of a low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel production facility ‘Plant Zero.SA’ in Whyalla,” he remarked.
“Other recent Adelaide Airport initiatives have included upgrading lighting including LED across our terminal and runways precincts, and optimising our plant and equipment to reduce energy usage and emissions.”
In November, Adelaide Airport soared past Australia’s largest aviation hubs to claim the title of Capital City Airport of the Year at the 2024 Australian Airports Association (AAA) National Awards.
