Sustainability
Our Commitment to Sustainability at Adelaide Airport
At Adelaide Airport, sustainability is embedded at the heart of our Strategic Plan and our purpose: ‘Proudly Connecting and Shaping South Australia’. We integrated sustainability across all our activities and empower our individual teams to work with us to achieve our goals.
Sustainability Focus Areas
Carbon
Energy
Water
Waste
Landscapes
Sustainability Policy
Adelaide Airport Limited is committed to leading the aviation sector in sustainability through responsible growth, innovation, and strong governance. This policy outlines AAL’s strategic approach to embedding sustainability across its operations, with a focus on decarbonisation, climate resilience, nature-positive initiatives, water stewardship, circular supply chains, and waste reduction. By aligning with global best practices and engaging stakeholders, AAL aims to deliver long-term value for the community, environment, and economy.
Adelaide Airport’s Path to Decarbonisation
Adelaide Airport is committed to leading the aviation industry in climate action by prioritising the elimination of fossil fuel use across its operations. This includes transitioning to onsite renewable energy sources, adopting electric-powered equipment, purchasing certified green power, and offsetting any residual emissions that cannot be avoided.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the airport measures and discloses its annual greenhouse gas emissions. Progress toward decarbonisation targets is tracked and reported in alignment with recognised standards and industry best practices, reinforcing Adelaide Airport’s dedication to a low-carbon future.
Adelaide Airport is committed to the efficient use of this precious natural resource.
Adelaide Airport is committed to reducing its reliance on potable water sources through the expansion of non-potable water alternatives.
Adelaide Airport lies within the driest state in the driest continent, South Australia and recognises the value of water and importance of appropriate water resource management at Airport to ensure the continued health of the environment as well as reducing the Airport’s reliance on state water resource services (potable mains water).
Adelaide Airport has continuously reduced water consumption and potable mains water reliance for over 15 years. Recycled water from the Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant (GWTP) is used for all irrigation as well as toilet flushing in Terminal 1.
In 2014, AAL was a key stakeholder in facilitating the construction by SA Water of the Adelaide Airport Stormwater Harvesting Scheme. Water collected from the Brownhill-Keswick Creek catchment will be stored in the local aquifer and used as an alternative supply of treated non-potable water for future airport developments.
AAL has also committed to reducing water consumption and improving water use efficiency through:
- incorporation of drought-tolerant species into new and upgraded landscaping facilities;
- development and implementation of an irrigation management plan; and
- ongoing education of AAL personnel, tenants and contractors on water conservation
Working together to decrease our impact on the environment.
Waste management at Adelaide Airport is driven by Zero Waste SA’s hierarchy of waste management: reduction, reuse, recycle, recovery, treatment and disposal and is underpinned by AAL’s Waste Management Strategy.
Waste streams generated on-airport include organics (e.g. food), paper and cardboard (e.g. newspapers), aluminium cans, plastics, electronic, construction, hazardous (e.g. waste oil, fluorescent tubes) and green waste.
Mature recycling programs exist in AAL offices and many tenancies for paper and cardboard, printer cartridges, waste oil, batteries, drink containers, construction waste and food waste. Significant proportion of demolition waste from AAL construction projects is recycled into a product that can be used in road construction and maintenance.
AAL works collaboratively with tenants to reduce waste and seeks to positively influence their environmental performance.
Taking action to secure a cleaner future.
Adelaide Airport acknowledges that the world is in a carbon constrained future which demands that businesses address the various risks associated with climate change and energy. Adelaide Airport’s commitment to managing and minimising carbon emissions generated by operational activities and reducing energy consumption is underpinned by its Decarbonisation Strategy.
Adelaide Airport was the first airport in Australia to be awarded certification to Level 1 of the ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program for mapping its carbon footprint. It achieved another significant milestone in 2024, achieving level 4 in the ACA and offsetting its residual emissions to achieve carbon neutrality.
Electricity is mostly consumed by AAL terminal buildings, car parks, offices, street lighting and airfield lighting. AAL is achieving improved energy efficiency through initiatives such as LED lighting, sensor-operated lighting, smart heating and cooling operation and upgrades, and staff awareness campaigns to change energy habits.
From 1 January 2024, 100% of AAL’s purchased electricity is renewable through a South Australian windfarm. In addition, Adelaide Airport has total onsite solar capacity of 3.5MWp, with more than 15% of terminals electricity needs supplied from onsite solar.
AAL has now reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by more than 90% from its 2018 base year and is offsetting its residual emissions through purchasing Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) from a land regeneration project from Hiltiba in South Australia.