The Airport Development Group (ADG) has been recognised by the Airports International Council Asia-Pacific & Middle East in meeting all the necessary requirements to join the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program directly at Level 3 – Optimisation for Darwin International Airport (DIA).  This international recognition is part of ADG’s commitment to Net Zero emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2030.

This is the first time that DIA has participated in this international program. The process to accreditation taking 12 months; demonstrating the airport’s commitment to reducing emissions; making a significant investment in onsite renewable generation through the installation of large roof mounted and ground mounted solar farms, terminal and apron LED lighting upgrades, and integration of hybrid vehicles into its fleet with two electric vehicles.

DIA is one of 16 accredited airports across Australia and currently the only one in the Northern Territory; internationally there are 575 accredited airports that have pursued the Airport Carbon Accreditation program; demonstrating carbon management practices and strategic initiatives to address climate change.

ADG is committed to training, awareness, and pathways to communicate the various activities implemented by the business to reduce carbon emissions. “We have made a conscious decision to actively focus our efforts on reducing our carbon footprint; communicate effectively and engage with our key stakeholders across the business”, said Sandra De Kock, Executive General Manager – People, Culture and Community

Ms De Kock went onto say “ADG recognises stakeholder engagement is a critical component of delivering meaningful emissions reductions across the aviation industry, and in doing so, we have worked closely with our stakeholders and customers, focussing on three key areas – aviation, ground transport and the built environment”.

To reach Level 3 of the internationally recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation program, ADG were required to expand the scope of their carbon footprint assessment to understand emissions that are a consequence of the activities of DIA but occur from sources owned or controlled by other entities including aircraft related emissions, ground transport and retail and property tenancy emissions such as electricity, gas, and fuel use. A number of Scope 3 emissions sources considered to be within the “operational control” of an airport operator under the ACA program include corporate travel, ground transport and construction fuel consumption.

ADG remains committed to managing its carbon emissions and will continue to invest in initiatives that reduce its carbon footprint.