Townsville Airport has been recognised for reducing its carbon footprint after achieving Level 2 accreditation under the Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program – becoming the 200th accredited airport worldwide.

Airport Carbon Accreditation is the only independent global standard for carbon management at airports which recognises and accredits the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions.

Level 2 ‘Reduction’ requires an airport to provide evidence of effective carbon management procedures and show reduction in its carbon footprint through analysis of carbon emissions data.

Townsville Airport Chief Operating Officer Kevin Gill said the airport had developed a carbon management plan which contains procedures for monitoring and managing carbon emissions.

“We have also developed a register of reduction initiatives which are planned, underway and complete to help us track our progress compared with emission targets,” he said.

“The airport has formed a carbon management committee which is tasked with implementing the carbon management plan and identifying future reduction initiatives.

“It has been great to see an airport-wide commitment to emissions reduction and we are very proud to have been recognised for our efforts in this space.”

Airports Council International Asia Pacific Regional Director Patti Chau said:

“We are delighted for Townsville Airport’s achievement in becoming airport carbon accredited under Level 2, Reduction. We look forward to working closely with Townsville Airport towards carbon neutrality,” she said.

Queensland Airports Limited Chief Executive Officer Chris Mills said Townsville Airport’s commitment to sustainability reflected the importance placed by QAL on social responsibility.

“It is great to see the Townsville Airport team leading the way in the reduction of carbon emissions across the QAL Group,” he said.

Townsville Airport has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at reducing its emissions, including replacement of terminal lighting with LED fixtures that are 58 per cent more energy efficient, installation of a 30kW solar panel system on the airport’s administration building, purchasing of fuel efficient vehicles, and upgrading street and car park lighting to low energy street lights.

The airport has plans to harness solar power for the terminal as well as implement upgrades to the terminal’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and improve monitoring of power consumption.

Townsville Airport is owned and managed by QAL which is a regional airport specialist also operating Gold Coast, Mount Isa and Longreach airports.

Contact: media@qldairports.com.au.

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