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Long Beach Airport achieves 38% reduction in carbon emissions
Sustainability Oct 22, 2024
To boost sustainability and safety, 95% of LGB's airfield lights and 85% of its airfield signage have now been converted to LED fixtures. | Photo courtesy of city of Long Beach
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Long Beach Airport is reporting a 38% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2016 and recently renewed its Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation from Airports Council International.
The renewed accreditation was announced in September at the Airports Council International-North America Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The airport’s Carbon Management Plan aims to reduce emissions by an additional 20% by 2025 and 40% by 2030, compared with 2016 levels, according to the city statement. Long Beach officials’ goal is for the airport to eventually become a carbon-neutral facility.
“With a 38% reduction in emissions since 2016, Long Beach Airport is showing what’s possible when you prioritize sustainability and innovation,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement last week. “Renewing our carbon accreditation highlights our continued commitment to creating a cleaner, greener Long Beach.”
The airport first received certification in 2021 based on inventories of its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions from 2016 to 2019.
Scope 1 emissions are from airport-owned or controlled vehicles, refrigerant losses and emergency backup generators. Scope 2 emissions are indirect and result from the consumption of purchased from electricity and natural gas utilities. The emissions were verified by an independent third-party as a condition of the certification, officials said.
Officials noted the airport’s sustainability efforts, including a voluntary emissions reduction program in conjunction with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and fully electrifying the airport’s 11 commercial gates for ground-service equipment.
The airport also incentivizes the purchase of cleaner, unleaded aircraft fuel known as UL94 for general aviation as well as supporting Atlantic Aviation’s program to supply sustainable aviation fuel for business jets, according to the city.
In 2024 two solar canopy installations totaling nearly 133,000 square feet on the airport’s parking structures were installed, officials said. The installation is projected to supply about 70% of the airport’s electricity for public facilities and the airfield.
“Long Beach Airport is committed to not only meet but exceed the targets we’ve set for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing sustainability and resiliency of our operations,” Airport Director Cynthia Guidry said in a statement. “We’re not just investing in the present — we’re ensuring a greener tomorrow.”
Level 2 carbon accreditation requires airport officials to develop and consistently update Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse emissions inventories, implement a carbon management plan and reduce the LGB’s annual carbon footprint.
“Ultimately, LGB plans to achieve Level 3+, or carbon neutrality for all airport emissions,” city officials said.
More information on the airport’s sustainability initiatives is online at lgb.org/green.
