Brisbane Airport has announced it has become one of the first Australian airports to achieve Net Zero emissions, with the airport now powered by 100% renewable backed energy.
The airport, which serves roughly 25 million passengers, reduced both its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 97% through the purchase of 100% renewable electricity from Stanwell, who provide energy generated via the use of wind and solar farms, the expansion of solar provisions on site to 10MW and the replacement of 24 traditional internal combustion engine vehicles with those powered solely by electric means.
Brisbane Airport Chief Executive Officer, Gert-Jan de Graaff, said:We are proud to have achieved this milestone. As a sustainability leader, we take our role in reducing our impact on the environment very seriously.
But there is far more work to be done. We know the most significant source of emissions comes from aviation fuel used by our airline partners. It’s why we continue to represent all airports on the Australian Jet Zero Council, and support research undertaken at Brisbane Airport by Stralis which is developing a hydrogen-electric aircraft, with a test-flight planned for this year.
The airport’s remaining 3% of emissions have been offset by a series of native bush regeneration projects throughout southwest Queensland.
Brisbane Airport’s journey to Net Zero emissions began in 2010 with the establishment of a 285-hectare Biodiversity Zone, followed by milestones such as the installation of 18,000 solar panels across the site in 2019 and a transition to an electric commercial mower fleet in 2022.
Speaking of the airport's partnership with Stanwell, Gert-Jan de Graaff explained:From midnight our renewable power purchase agreement kicked in with Stanwell, providing up to 185 GWh of renewable backed wind and solar energy per year from regional Queensland. This is a milestone moment.
It means renewable backed power will operate everything from the systems you use at check-in, baggage conveyors, air conditioning, departure screens, escalators, electric ground services equipment, right through to the runway lights that guide your aircraft safely into the sky.
