Newcastle Airport Sets the Standard: First in Australia to Reach 4+ Airport Carbon Accreditation

Setting a new benchmark in Australian aviation sustainability, Newcastle Airport has become the first airport in Australia to achieve an Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) of 4+ Transition, placing it in the top 12 per cent of airports worldwide.

Newcastle Airport Interim CEO Andrew Warrender said achieving an ACA of Level 4+ Transition supported the Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and highlighted the success of the organisation’s long-term, strategic approach to reducing the airport’s carbon footprint.

“It takes a long-term, sustained commitment from the entire businesses to be able to achieve an ACA Level of 4+ which focuses on long-term emissions reductions and alignment with global climate goals,” Mr Warrender said.

“Level 4+ recognises that we are truly transitioning away from carbon reliance and embedding sustainability into our long-term future.

Newcastle Airport is leading the way globally; it’s important that airports can also contribute to Net Zero targets in the aviation industry through our provision of green infrastructure, whilst airlines focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Hydrogen jet technology.

“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 programme 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,” Mr Baronci said.

Newcastle Airport engaged Tarambo Enviornmental Services to assist in calculating its carbon footprint for submission for the ACA Program. With sustainability at the core of business operations and infrastructure development, Newcastle Airport achieved Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2024 - six years ahead of its 2030 target. This achievement was key to Newcastle Airport reaching ACA 4+ Transition and included:

• Ensuring all energy requirements are met entirely through renewable sources via a partnership with an Australian renewable energy retailer.
• Working with Tasman Environmental Markets to offset all residual Scope 1 and Corporate Travel emissions by investing in native bushland regeneration projects in NSW.

The Accreditation also requires Newcastle Airport to focus on Scope 3 emissions which can include emissions from aircraft, surface access emissions from passengers and staff, staff business travel and emissions from 3rd party operators on airport grounds.

Achieving a 5-Star Green Star ‘Designed’ assessment for the airport’s international terminal build in September 2024, offsetting all staff travel and supporting the uptake of electric vehicles (EV) with the  installation of six EV parking bays for passenger use in June 2023 are key examples of this. 

Other sustainability achievements include:

• The conversion of existing loan funding to one linked to specific sustainability actions and outcomes, via a $235 million CommBank Green Sustainability Linked Loan.
• Newcastle Airport’s Astra Aerolab buildings targeting ‘5-Star Green-Star’ rating or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating accreditations.  
• Building a new premium covered carpark roof with the supporting 1236 solar panels, designed to fulfill a major proportion of the airport’s energy needs.

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,” Ms Munro said.

“We're leading the region as climate champions and pioneering a sustainable blueprint for Australia's aviation future.”