DFW AIRPORT, Texas – Nov. 17, 2020 – Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport has taken its commitment to sustainable initiatives to new levels – literally – by becoming the first airport in the world to reach newly established carbon neutral levels announced by Airports Council International.
Already the first carbon neutral airport in North America, DFW Airport became the first airport to merit the new 4+ level in ACI’s global Airport Carbon Accreditation program. DFW was recognized as the first carbon neutral airport in North America in 2014.
DFW Airport was joined in this new recognized level by Indira Gandhi International Airport in India in this new certification. As part of the ACA program, airports commit to reducing their emissions by making investments in heating and lighting efficiency technology, electric, hybrid or gas-powered vehicles, public transport incentive schemes, less corporate travel, and stakeholder engagement to encourage further emissions reductions. Airports applying to become accredited must have their carbon footprints independently verified.
“This recognition is the latest example of DFW Airport’s commitment to serving our community and our world with a comprehensive, holistic approach to sustainability,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. “We continue to look for innovative and meaningful ways to reduce the Airport’s carbon footprint with mindful and responsible practices and processes. We can and will do more thanks to the focus and hard work of everyone at DFW Airport.”
The announcement comes just weeks after DFW Airport received international recognition when it earned a 2020 United Nations Global Climate Action Award on Oct. 27, 2020.
As one of four organizations in the “Climate Neutral Now” category of the UN awards, DFW Airport was honored for its continued efforts to find innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2017, DFW Airport implemented the Renewable Natural Gas Initiative, transitioning its compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fleet to renewable natural gas (RNG) produced from local landfill gas.
Through the RNG initiative, DFW Airport dramatically reduced vehicle fleet emissions – the second largest segment of its carbon footprint – and as of June 2020, 70 percent of the natural gas used in the Airport’s vehicle fleet came from RNG. Not only did the change eliminate nearly 17,000 tons of CO2, it lowered Airport operations and maintenance cost by $1 million per year.
DFW Airport achieved its 2020 Strategic Plan goal to reduce carbon emissions by 15 percent per passenger two years early and has now set an ambitious target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, supporting the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign.
There is a long-standing commitment to sustainable efforts at DFW Airport. The Airport’s Strategic Plan and Sustainability and Diversity programs directly advance 16 of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To learn more about the DFW Airport commitment, check this link. To learn more about the ACI ACA program, check this link. To learn more about the 2020 UN Global Climate Action Awards, check this link.
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.
This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.
Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.