Mount Isa Airport has been acknowledged for its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, achieving Level 2 accreditation under the Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program.

The Airport Carbon Accreditation program is the only institutionally-endorsed, carbon management certification standard for airports around the world, which recognises and accredits the efforts of airports to manage and reduce emissions.

Under Level 1, awarded in February last year, Mount Isa Airport was required to map its carbon footprint by collecting independently verified data on its carbon emissions. Level 2 accreditation builds on this and is an acknowledgement of the airport’s success in achieving its reduction goals.

Mount Isa Airport Chief Operating Officer Kevin Gill said the Level 2 accreditation was recognition of the team’s commitment to improve sustainability outcomes at the airport.

“Our team has worked hard to reduce the carbon footprint at Mount Isa Airport, with the solar array in the car park generating more than 80 per cent of our daytime power and 42 per cent overall,” he said.

“Level 2 carbon accreditation signals our intention to continue to seek new ways to look after our environment.”

Mount Isa Airport’s car park upgrade was completed in April 2017 and included the installation of 820 solar panels on the roof of the shade structures.

Other initiatives adopted to reduce emissions at Mount Isa Airport, include:

- upgrade of all lighting to LED fixtures and fittings in the terminal, including in the check-in hall, baggage screening, baggage handling and toilet areas

- commencement of glass and plastic recycling

- replacement of work vehicles with fuel-efficient newer models

Airports Council International Asia Pacific Regional Director Patti Chau congratulated Mount Isa Airport’s team for their efforts.

“I wish to congratulate Mount Isa Airport for achieving accreditation at Level 2, Reduction,” Mrs Chau said.

“The accreditation demonstrates the airport’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. We look forward to working closely with the airport in their journey towards carbon neutrality.”

Mount Isa Airport has been invited to formally receive its accreditation certificate at the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly in Nara, Japan in April next year.

Queensland Airports Limited, parent company of Mount Isa Airport, is dedicated to sustainability as part of its commitment to corporate responsibility. All four of the QAL group’s ports now have achieved Level 2 status with the ACI, representing a significant milestone for the company.

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