LATEST NEWS >>>

Christchurch International Airport and carbon neutrality

Did you know?

In November 2007, Airports Council International called on its airports to develop plans to reduce emissions, with the ultimate goal being carbon neutral airports.
An airport operator can achieve carbon neutral status by reducing carbon emissions from operations and buildings to a strict minimum.
The remaining emissions (that cannot be further reduced) are mitigated through economic and market-based measures until long-term technological solutions are developed.

What are we doing?

An emissions reduction plan was developed and is in the process of being implemented. Projects include:
- The Christchurch International Airport vehicle fleet was audited and a new vehicle replacement policy implemented to include fuel efficiency considerations for new vehicle purchases.
- Recycling programmes, including the re-use of up to 10% of runway asphalt during replacement works.
- All electricity is purchased from Meridian Energy - a fully carbon-neutral electricity supplier using renewable sources.
- A comprehensive programme to identify and resolve energy inefficiencies in the terminal building.
Christchurch International Airport invested in three local offsetting schemes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - a combination of windfarm, forest regeneration and landfill gas recovery credits, all earned from local programmes.

What is the result?

New Zealand’s Christchurch International Airport has received carboNZero certification from Landcare Research following a detailed measurement and analysis process. The certification process has seen the airport company measuring, managing, reducing and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions arising from its operational business activities.
It is the first airport in the Southern Hemisphere to be certified carbon neutral.

Click here for more information.