Washington, D.C. (Feb. 12, 2009) — During a speech before the National Aeronautic Association today, Airports Council International– North America (ACI-NA) President Greg Principato announced the adoption of ambitious airport environmental goals to be achieved in the coming years. The ACI-NA Board of Directors voted to adopt the goals at its winter meeting on Feb. 6.
“ACI-NA undertook this initiative to help further the industry’s already proactive commitment to improving the overall environmental performance of airports,” said Principato. “These goals are a reflection of programs that have proved to be successful at reducing environmental impacts at many of our member airports and seen as an opportunity to mirror those achievements across the industry.”
ACI-NA is equally committed to helping its member airports achieve these ambitious environmental goals through increased education and information sharing, identification of funding needs, and support for necessary research. By working with their communities, regulators, Congress and industry partners, airports can move toward a cleaner, quieter aviation industry.
In summary, ACI-NA adopted the following goals:
General Environmental Goals
1. Environmental policies: Every ACI-NA member airport will strive to have an environmental policy statement by 2010.
2. Environmental management systems: Every ACI-NA member airport will strive to have an environmental management system in place by:
— 2014 at large airports.
— 2016 at medium airports.
— 2019 at small airports.
Air Quality, Climate and Energy Goals
1. Low-emission airport vehicles and ground support equipment (GSE): ACI-NA member airports will strive to convert airport-owned and operated ground vehicles and GSE to low emission vehicles with an industry-wide average goal of 50 percent of vehicle conversion by 2019.
2. Low-emission access vehicles: By 2010, every ACI-NA member airports will strive to implement an incentive program to encourage taxi, shuttle, limo and rental car companies to use low-emission vehicles.
3. Low-emission vehicle infrastructure: Half of ACI-NA member airports will strive to provide low emission vehicle support infrastructure by 2019.
4. Energy conservation: By 2014, every ACI-NA member airport will strive to implement an energy conservation program that includes adoption of an airport-specific goal to reduce nonrenewable energy consumption.
5. Loading bridges equipped with -re-conditioned air and power: Every ACI-NA member airports will strive to have at least 25 percent of their loading bridges equipped with pre-conditioned air and 400 Hz electrification by 2019.
6. Reduced fee and/or parking incentives for low-emission passenger vehicles: Half of ACI-NA member airports will strive to provide incentives and/or reduced fee parking for low-emission passenger vehicles by 2011.
7. Greenhouse gas emissions inventories: Half of ACI-NA member airports will strive to conduct greenhouse gas emissions inventories by 2015.
Noise Goals
1. Noise and land use compatibility policies: Every ACI-NA member airport will strive to develop a noise and land use compatibility policy by 2019.
Waste Management Goals
1. Recycling programs: Every ACI-NA member airport will strive to have a basic recycling program in place by 2011. Half of airports will have more extensive recycling programs by 2014.
Water Quality Goals
1. Water conservation: By 2014, every ACI-NA member airport will strive to implement a water conservation program that includes adoption of an airport-specific goal to reduce water consumption.
2. Spill reduction training: ACI-NA member airports will facilitate awareness and training with a goal of reducing spills by 25 percent from 2005 levels by 2015. ACI-NA airports will strive to have no releases of petroleum-based spills.
