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Climate change caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions will have long-term consequences for the environment, the economy, and public health and safety. To do its part to reduce the threat, King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. After achieving Level 1 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACAP) in 2021, the airport is now on track toward Level 2, demonstrating actual reductions of harmful greenhouse gases emitted in airport operations.
"Climate change is not an issue for the future. It needs to be addressed now. The climate crisis is a clear and present threat to our most vulnerable residents. Preserving our future and keeping King County a habitable community is our most urgent priority," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "I am grateful to the team at King County International Airport for achieving level one of this ambitious goal, and their work toward creating a cleaner and greener future."
"Aviation and aerospace activities are key contributors to our robust economy here in the Puget Sound region, but they also contribute to carbon pollution," said John Parrott, director of King County International Airport-Boeing Field. "Through our work to reduce emissions and achieve ACAP Level 2, we're building momentum toward our long-term goal of becoming a carbon neutral airport."
KCIA is being assisted in its efforts by WSP USA, the U.S. operating company of a world-leading engineering and professional services firm that has helped airports of all sizes in planning and design for a more equitable, environmentally sustainable future. KCIA and WSP have worked closely to adopt an eight-year work program to achieve carbon neutrality and establish annual carbon footprint reporting. The 2019 carbon footprint calculation shows a 25% total emissions reduction compared to 2007 total emissions, and the project team is currently developing additional emission reduction measures.
ACAP is sponsored by Airports Council International (ACI), and is the only airport-specific, internationally recognized carbon management framework. Through its six levels of accreditation, ACAP can be used by any airport to manage its environmental impact, and each level reached increases an airport's ability to mitigate the effects of climate change. ACAP certification is just one part of King County Airport's work toward meeting the targets set out in the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan or SCAP.
Learn more about ACAP at AirportCO2.org, and track KCIA's journey toward a carbon-neutral future at kingcounty.gov/airport/carbon.
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