Supporting the Hunter’s Sustainable Future: Newcastle Airport celebrates Earth Day

As the world celebrates Earth Day today, Newcastle Airport is reinforcing its role as an enabler of the Hunter region’s economic diversification, supporting regional efforts in clean energy, broader sustainability goals and a low-carbon future.
 
Newcastle Airport Interim CEO Andrew Warrender said this year’s Earth Day theme – Our Power, Our Planet – aligns with the airport’s commitment to embedding sustainability throughout its operations and infrastructure development.
 
"We are committed to supporting both regional and global efforts in this space and were proud to announce earlier this year that we became the first airport in Australia to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) 4+ Transition,” Mr Warrender said. “We also achieved Net Zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions six years ahead of our 2030 target.”

 
This achievement places Newcastle Airport among the top 12% of airports worldwide for carbon management, marking a significant milestone for both the airport and the Hunter region’s green evolution. The ACA 4+ Transition, awarded by Airports Council International (ACI), is recognised globally as the highest standard for airports in managing and reducing carbon emissions.
 
“Level 4+ recognises that we are transitioning away from soley carbon reliance and embedding sustainability into our long-term future,” Mr Warrender said. “It shows we're serious about making real, lasting changes that align with the Australian Government's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”
 
The pathway to this achievement has been paved with a series of strategic initiatives including:

• Collaborating with all stakeholders, including onsite businesses, to support and advance sustainability initiatives.
• All airport energy requirements are now met through renewable sources, thanks to a partnership with an Australian renewable energy retailer.
• Newcastle Airport has invested in local native bushland regeneration projects to offset remaining emissions, working closely with Tasman Environmental Markets.
• The airport’s new international terminal has received a 5-Star Green Star 'Designed' assessment, and the Astra Aerolab precinct targets similar green building standards.
• Over 1,200 solar panels have been installed on the new premium carpark, designed to supply the airport’s future energy needs.
• A $235 million Green Sustainability Linked Loan from CommBank was secured, tying financing directly to sustainability outcomes.
• The airport has also embraced electric vehicle infrastructure, installing EV charging bays for passengers.

Looking ahead, Newcastle Airport remains committed to supporting the Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia plan and the Hunter region’s transformation into a hub for clean energy production, storage, and export.

The Hunter region has made significant efforts in advancing clean energy and supporting a lower-carbon future through initiatives such as the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone, large-scale renewable energy projects by Hunter Water, the development of the Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct focused on hydrogen and clean energy exports, and ongoing collaboration among government, industry, and community stakeholders to expand renewable infrastructure and decarbonise regional industries.

“Newcastle Airport’s commitment in this space aligns well with regional efforts,” Mr Warrender said. As passengers pass through Newcastle Airport this Earth Day and beyond, they can feel assured they are supporting an airport dedicated to its role as the Green Gateway to NSW—working alongside the Hunter community to help enable the region’s transition to a more sustainable future by connecting people to the world when its international terminal opens in August 2025 and supporting local efforts in clean energy and environmental care for years to come.