Monday is World Environment Day, and Australia’s main international gateway is marking the occasion by allocating more funding for its net zero emissions by 2030 initiative. Sydney Airport has a multi-faceted approach to reducing emissions across all its operations, including nurturing and protecting the surrounding wetlands, which is the focus of today’s announcement.
Photo: Sydney Airport
As Australia’s busiest airport and the home and operational base of flag carrier Qantas, Sydney Airport accepts it has an important role to play in the global push toward emission-free aviation by 2050. While fully committed to that goal, the airport has set its own climate change targets, which include achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
SAF production is key to net zero
Many flights using Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) arrive or depart on medium and long-haul routes operated by carriers including Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, Qantas, China Southern, Emirates, LATAM, Air India and British Airways. Those operations will need access to high volumes of sustainable aviation fuel to meet the ICAO net zero 2050 goals, which is also a priority for the airport.
Sydney Airport said today that developing a sustainable aviation fuel industry in Australia is aviation’s “most urgent priority.” In common with other nations pursuing net zero, Australia has established a Jet Zero Council whose goal is to maximize the sector’s contribution to achieving net zero through sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and emerging technologies, with Sydney Airport an active participant.
Photo: Qantas
Aviation accounted for about 9% of Australia’s transport emissions and 1.6% of total emissions in 2018-19. Today the airport announced it will mark World Environment Day by funding more work on regenerating and protecting the ecosystem surrounding the airport.
The AU$200,000 ($132,000) will be used to increase tree canopy and provide new wildlife habitats and is part of the joint Sydney Airport – Bayside Council Community and Environmental Projects Fund, into which the airport injects AU$1 million ($660,000) annually. Co-head of safety, sustainability and environment Jake Atkins explained:
“The Botany Wetlands, including the Sydney Airport Wetlands, are considered one of the last remaining green corridors in a highly disturbed area of Sydney. Being surrounded by such precious wetlands is an immense privilege, and we take the responsibility of caring for them very seriously.”
Net-zero emissions by 2030
Atkins added that the airport is focused on delivering the infrastructure and management resources needed for decarbonization. He said:
“This year we will continue to work with airlines and ground handlers to increase the use of ground power and pre-conditioned air, reduce jet fuel burn while on the gates, and progress electrification of ground service equipment fleets.”
Sustainability reporting requirements fall into three categories depending on the type of emissions and amount of direct control an organization has over its production. Scope 1 emissions come from sources owned or directly controlled by the company, Scope 2 from energy consumption at the site, and Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that are a consequence of the company’s activities but are not owned or controlled by it.
Sydney Airport provided an update on where it is at on the pathway to net zero by 2030. The key milestones include:
- Significant progress on Scope 1 emissions generated by the airport’s vehicle fleet and natural gas use and Scope 2 emissions from generating the electricity supply
- On track to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 50% from ground operations by 2025
- On track to have 100% renewable electricity by 2025, with procurement already underway.
Airport movements are an issue at Sydney Airport, and it is consulting with local communities and governments on how they can be improved, both to lift efficiency and enhance net zero programs.
What do you think of SYD’s emission reduction efforts? Let us know in the comments.