Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport in Texas has become the first airport in North America to achieve Carbon Neutral status, one of only 23 airports worldwide to achieve the milestone distinction. The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program upgraded DFW Airport to “Level 3+ Neutrality”, which is the highest level of environmental achievement available to airports. Natural gas vehicles acquired as part of DFW’s shuttle fleet have contributed to the outcome.
The recognition culminates nearly two decades of sustainability efforts by DFW Airport to reduce its own emissions and carbon footprint, and thereby contribute to the regional effort to clean the air in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
DFW’s foray into natural gas vehicle technology began with the acquisition of 46 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered courtesy shuttle buses in 2010 and the building of a public-access CNG station by Clean Energy Fuels Corp.
“Our team has made major strides in reducing DFW’s carbon footprint by how we manage precious resources such as energy and water, and how the Airport manages vehicle fuels, emissions, waste, recycling, and our land. I want to thank and congratulate our team for this outstanding accomplishment,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport.
Carbon neutrality occurs when the net carbon dioxide emissions over an entire year is zero, meaning the airport absorbs or offsets the same amount of carbon dioxide as it produces. The achievement is recognized and accredited by Airport Carbon Accreditation, an international organization that monitors the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions.
Since 2010, DFW has achieved 29 percent reduction in carbon emissions on a per passenger basis as well as an overall 38 percent reduction in energy costs, even while total passengers at the Airport increased by 15 percent over the same period.
DFW’s vehicle fleet has been almost completely converted to clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG), cutting the Airport fleet’s carbon emissions by 25% while saving millions in fuel costs.
(Source: DFW International Airport)
