Sky Harbor Aviation Department
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020-2021, March 2023)
Reporting Period: 2020-2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Air Quality
- Energy Conservation
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Stakeholder Outreach
- Policies and Planning
- Waste Diversion
- Water Conservation
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced energy used in buildings by 22.83% since 2009
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity purchases
- 7,956,890 kilowatt hours of renewable energy produced in 2020 from solar installations
- Avoided over 4,100 metric tons in CO2 emissions from solar installations
- Annual energy savings of one million dollars achieved from LED lighting conversions
- Exceeded 40% waste diversion in 2019 (49.4% in 2020 due to pandemic)
- Water consumption decreased by over 15% compared to the 2014 baseline year
- Terminal 4 cooling tower upgrades save more than 22 million gallons of water annually
- Xeriscape program saving about 5 million gallons of water a year and $400,000 in labor and materials
Social Achievements
- 105 Virtual Speaking Engagements/Airport Tours and Community Events with more than 5,600 attendees
- Expanded School Partnerships
- Expanded content on skyharbor.com to promote aviation and provide more than 60 aviation-themed activities and information
Governance Achievements
- Achieved Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation
- Updated 2020 Carbon Reduction Policy and Strategy
- Roadmap to Resiliency developed to address anticipated local climate change impacts
- Updated Tenant Improvement Handbook with water and energy efficiency requirements
- Green Tenant Program being developed
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
- Achieve net-zero GHG emissions for the Aviation Department electricity use by 2030
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce GHG emissions 40% compared to a 2005 baseline by 2025 and 67% by 2040
- Achieve net zero GHG emissions for energy purchases by 2030
- Reduce energy consumption at City facilities 30% compared to a 2012 baseline by 2030
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce water consumption by 2% annually
- Meet the City’s goal of using renewable energy sources for 15% of the electricity needs at the airport by 2025
- Complete conversion to smart irrigation controls at PHX by the end of 2022
Environmental Challenges
- Dust and other air pollutants degrading air quality
- US recycling market in flux due to material quality requirements and the COVID-19 pandemic
- Insufficient processing infrastructure for recyclable materials in the US
Mitigation Strategies
- Various approaches to address air quality, including fleet electrification, revised ground transportation policies, and best practices for reducing vehicle access
- Focus on circular economy, source reduction, expanding collection and sale of materials, and targeted education messaging for waste management
- Ongoing monitoring of water usage to target improvements that minimize water loss
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Integrating Total Cost of Ownership into project processes
- Requiring analysis of Total Cost of Ownership during selection of new equipment
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA)
Awards & Recognition
- 2019 Airports Going Green Award - Green Cooling Tower Program
Reporting Period: March 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Air Quality
- Energy
- Waste & Recycling
- Water
- Outreach
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net Zero Carbon | 2040
- Zero Waste | 2050
Medium-term Goals:
- Carbon-free Electricity & 30% Energy Reduction | 2030
- 2% Annual Reduction
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Implement policy for environmentally-preferred purchasing
- Support local businesses through use of goods/services
- Purchase materials with recycled content or sourced from sustainable materials
- Purchase low or non-toxic cleaning products