Newcastle Airport Achieves Australia’s First 4+ Carbon Accreditation

newy.com.au – Newcastle Airport has made history as the first airport in Australia to achieve an Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) of 4+ Transition, placing it among the top 12 per cent of airports worldwide in terms of sustainability efforts.

Interim CEO Andrew Warrender said the achievement aligns with the Australian Government’s Future Made in Australia plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050. He emphasised that reaching the 4+ Transition level reflects a long-term, strategic commitment to reducing carbon emissions and integrating sustainability into every aspect of airport operations.

“It takes a sustained effort across the entire business to achieve a Level 4+ ACA accreditation, which focuses on long-term emission reductions and alignment with global climate goals,” Mr Warrender said. “This milestone demonstrates that we are actively transitioning away from carbon reliance and embedding sustainability into our future.”

The accreditation, issued by Airports Council International (ACI), is the only globally recognised carbon management certification for airports. It assesses and recognises an airport’s efforts to cut emissions through a rigorous seven-level framework. Newcastle Airport’s success places it at the forefront of carbon management in the aviation industry, with ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Director General Stefano Baronci commending the airport’s leadership in sustainability.

With sustainability embedded in its operations, Newcastle Airport reached Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2024—six years ahead of its 2030 target. The airport worked with Tarambo Environmental Services to calculate its carbon footprint, which led to several key initiatives:

• Sourcing all energy requirements from renewable sources via a partnership with an Australian renewable energy retailer.
• Offsetting all residual Scope 1 emissions and corporate travel through investment in native bushland regeneration projects in NSW, in collaboration with Tasman Environmental Markets.
• Addressing Scope 3 emissions, including aircraft emissions, passenger transport emissions, and third-party operator emissions on airport grounds.

The airport also achieved a 5-Star Green Star ‘Designed’ rating for its international terminal development in September 2024, further reinforcing its commitment to sustainability. Other notable initiatives include:

• Installation of six electric vehicle (EV) charging bays for passengers in mid-2023.
• Securing a $235 million CommBank Green Sustainability Linked Loan, tying funding to specific environmental outcomes.
• Targeting 5-Star Green-Star or LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ratings for Astra Aerolab buildings.
• Installing a new premium covered car park roof with 1,236 solar panels to supply a significant portion of the airport’s energy needs.

Newcastle Airport Chair Jude Munro AO hailed the accreditation as a testament to years of dedicated sustainability efforts.

“This is more than just an accreditation—it’s a declaration of our commitment to reducing carbon emissions and positioning the Hunter Region at the forefront of clean energy innovation,” Ms Munro said.

With its pioneering approach, Newcastle Airport is setting a national benchmark for sustainability in aviation while driving forward the Hunter Region’s ambitions to become a leader in clean energy production, storage, and export.