Hamilton Airport has taken the first big step in its commitment to reducing carbon emissions with the achievement of Level 1, Mapping accreditation under the globally recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.
The programme independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce carbon emissions through six levels of certification – Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation, Neutrality, Transformation and Transition.
Level 1, Mapping required Hamilton Airport to measure and inventorise its carbon footprint, and the focus will now be on Level 2, Reduction of that carbon footprint. To achieve our aims, the airport company factors carbon emissions reduction into all airport planning and decision-making, with a focus on continual improvement.
Mark Morgan, chief executive at Hamilton Airport says, “we are delighted to have reached this milestone on our sustainability journey and are very proud to be one of the first regional airports to have done so. Level 1, Mapping demonstrates our commitment to the planet and to our global community, and despite the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, shows we can still operate our business in a planet-friendly and sustainable manner and protect our local communities from climate change.
We’re looking forward to seeing noticeable improvements in our carbon emission reduction aims as a result of design improvements in our redeveloped terminal,” says Morgan. “Longer term, the development of our business and industrial park will also seek to reduce our carbon emissions, and we are looking at the feasibility of introducing solar functionality to the park and its environs, and EV functionality to our car park,” he says.
As a member of Airport Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific, the airport company is very grateful to ACI Asia-Pacific for introducing its team to the Airport Carbon Accreditation mentorship programme and in particular for pairing us with the sustainability team at Christchurch Airport.
Angela Beardsmore, sustainability lead at Hamilton Airport, says “The sustainability team at Christchurch Airport have achieved such incredible success in their sustainability journey. They have been so supportive and the position they are in with regard to their climate action goals is aspirational for us - we look forward to continuing to learn from them as we progress through our own journey.”
About Airport Carbon Accreditation
ACI launched the Airport Carbon Accreditation in 2009 after member airports adopted a landmark resolution on Climate Change to reduce carbon emissions from their operations with the ultimate goal of becoming carbon neutral.
Airport Carbon Accreditation is an independent, voluntary programme administered by WSP; an international consultancy appointed by ACI EUROPE to enforce the accreditation criteria for airports on an annual basis.
Airports applying to become accredited must have their carbon footprints independently verified in accordance with ISO14064 (Greenhouse Gas Accounting). Evidence of this must be provided to the programme administrator (WSP) together with all claims regarding carbon management processes which must also be independently verified.
The definitions of emissions footprints used by Airport Carbon Accreditation follow the principles of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) “Greenhouse Gas Protocol” Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. When considering the emissions from aircraft within the airport perimeter and on final approach and initial departure, Airport Carbon Accreditation uses the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) definition of the Landing-Take Off cycle and requires airports to comply with these definitions.
About ACI Asia-Pacific
ACI Asia-Pacific, one of the five regions of the Airports Council International (ACI), is based in Hong Kong and represents 127 members operating 611 airports in 49 countries/ territories in Asia-Pacific and the Middle-East. As the only global trade association of the world’s airports, ACI represents airports’ interests with governments and international organisations, develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world.
For enquiries about Hamilton Airport call Mark Morgan - 027 562 3351
