Brisbane Airport Achieve Net Zero Emissions

Brisbane Airport has achieved a significant milestone in its sustainability journey by becoming one of the first Australian airports to reach Net Zero emissions for Scope 1 and 2 operations.

Nearly 25 million passengers travelling through Brisbane Airport can travel with the confidence that Brisbane Airport is dedicated to minimising its environmental footprint by using 100% renewable backed electricity generation ensuring nearly 25 million passengers

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said that they were proud to have achieved this milestone. As a sustainability leader, they played a key role in reducing their impact on the environment very seriously. 

“But there is far more work to be done. We know the most significant source of emissions comes from aviation fuel used by our airline partners. Hence, we continue to represent all airports on the Australian Jet Zero Council, and support research undertaken at Brisbane Airport by Stralis which is developing a hydrogen-electric aircraft, with a test-flight planned for this year,” he said.

Brisbane Airport Corporation has reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 97% through purchasing 100% renewable electricity generation from Stanwell for Queensland based wind farm and solar energy, expanding onsite solar to 10 MW and replacing 24 traditional internal combustion engine fleet vehicles with electric powered vehicles.

The remaining 3% of emissions have been offset through native bush regeneration projects in southwest Queensland via Tasman Environmental Markets.  

According to him, from midnight on January 1, their renewable power purchase agreement kicked in with Stanwell, providing up to 185 GWh of renewable backed wind and solar energy per year from regional Queensland.

“This is a milestone moment and means renewable backed power will operate everything from the systems you use at check-in, baggage conveyors, air conditioning, departure screens, escalators, electric ground services equipment, right through to the runway lights that guide your aircraft safely into the sky,” he added.

Queensland Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said that this strategic partnership demonstrates demand for Queensland’s high quality renewable energy as we shift to a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system.

Enough Clean Energy Supplies

Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said that they will supply up to 185 GWh of renewable-backed energy each year to Brisbane Airport Corporation, and that’s enough clean energy to offset all of its operations.

According to Rourke, back in 2022 when this historic deal was signed, Brisbane Airport was Stanwell’s very first customer for our renewable energy pipeline.

“Since then, we have signed many more commercial and industrial customers as we diversify our generation portfolio in response to evolving market expectations to include renewable and low emissions energy sources,” he said.

“It’s another great example of how Stanwell is assisting large energy users achieve their sustainability goals in their journey to a more energy efficient future,” he added.