Newcastle Airport is paving the way for sustainable aviation in Australia, becoming the first to achieve an Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Level 4+ Transition.
The news highlights the airports commitment to the Australian Government’s ‘Future Made in Australia Plan’ and key net zero emission goals.
Interim CEO Andrew Warrender said reaching ACA 4+ required a long-term, sustained commitment to reducing emissions and embedding sustainability into operations.
“Level 4+ recognises that we are truly transitioning away from carbon reliance and embedding sustainability into our long-term future,” he said.
“We are committed to being the Green Gateway to NSW, and contributing to our region’s efforts in renewable innovation and move towards transforming the Hunter Region into a leading hub for clean energy production, storage, and export via the Hydrogen Hub in Newcastle and the Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct.”
The Airport Carbon Accreditation, run by Airports Council International (ACI), is the only institutionally endorsed global carbon management certification program for airports. It independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through 7 levels of certification: Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation, Neutrality, Transformation, Transition and Level 5.
ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East director general Stefano Baronci congratulated Newcastle Airport on its remarkable progress in reducing carbon emissions and setting a high standard for airports across the region.
“As a leader in efficient carbon management, Newcastle Airport exemplifies a strong commitment to sustainability and aligns with our industry’s collective goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” Baronci said.
Newcastle Airport chair Jude Munro AO said reaching ACA 4+ Transition represents years of strategic commitment to transforming the region’s aviation landscape.
“ACA 4+ Transition is more than an accreditation – it’s a great result for the region declaring our commitment to reducing carbon emissions and placing us in the forefront of global efforts in this space,” she said.