Palmerston North Airport achieves Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4 Transformation

12 December 2023
MEDIA RELEASE

Palmerston North Airport proudly announces its attainment of the prestigious ACA Level 4 accreditation, solidifying our position as New Zealand’s leading regional airport.

This achievement places Palmerston North Airport amongst an elite group, with only 23 airports globally in the ACA 4 category. Palmerston North Airport is currently the only airport in New Zealand to hold this level of accreditation.

The Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program is the only institutionally endorsed, global carbon management certification programme for airports. It independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions.

Chief Executive David Lanham expressed pride in this milestone, stating, “Achieving ACA Level 4 accreditation is a testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible aviation practices. It underscores our ongoing efforts to minimise our carbon footprint and uphold the highest standards in environmental management.”

This recognition is a result of Palmerston North Airport’s comprehensive sustainability strategy, encompassing initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and implement eco-friendly practices throughout airport operations.

Some of our decarbonisation initiatives have included procurement of carbon neutral electricity for the terminal and tenants, transitioning vehicles to EV or hybrid, and decommissioning outdated gas equipment with LPG or electricity.

The most significant impacts to date are:

• 84% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions between FY22 and FY23.
• 69% diversion of waste to landfill.

Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID), said: “We are proud of Palmerston North Airport’s achievement in reducing carbon emissions and setting an example for airports in the region. Palmerston North Airport is firmly positioning itself as one of the leaders in efficient carbon management and this achievement truly demonstrates its firm commitment to invest in a more sustainable future. It’s encouraging to see airports making tremendous efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and enhance climate-resilience in an era of unprecedented challenges for the industry.”

With sustainability at the core of its operations, Palmerston North Airport is committed to fostering sustainability, supporting the community, and ensuring a more environmentally responsible future for aviation. As we celebrate this milestone, we will not rest on our laurels as we focus on how to further drive meaningful change within the aviation industry.