Airports welcome formation of Jet Zero Council

AAA welcomes the formation of Jet Zero Council.

The peak body representing the Australian airport sector, the Australian Airports Association (AAA), has welcomed the formation of the Australian Government’s Jet Zero Council.

“It is vital for Australia’s aviation sector to play its part in achieving the Australian Government’s net zero emissions target by 2050, particularly to reach the early goal of a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030,” AAA Chief Executive James Goodwin said.

“Airports will play an important role in helping Australia reach its net zero target, working across the sector to reduce emissions and move toward a more circular economy. The immediate focus of the Jet Zero Council will be the establishment of a domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry, a key emissions reduction measure for the aviation industry. Australian airports will be represented on the Council and will rotate through the position with Brisbane Airport holding the first rotation.

“Airports are also looking at other ways to help reach these net zero targets through increased use of recycled and recovered materials in pavements, more energy and water efficient airport buildings, equipment and on-site renewable energy generation and storage. Airports have already begun to invest in onsite renewable energy generation to reduce Scope 2 emissions, with significant ‘solar farm’ operations at Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin and Melbourne Airports, generating over 24mW of electricity at full capacity.

“As the vast majority of airfield emissions are Scope 3 emissions from airlines, airports are key to facilitating emerging technologies for other alternative aviation fuels (such as hydrogen and battery-electric) and renewable energy sources which are still at early stages of development.”

The AAA is the national voice for airports, representing the interests of more than 340 airports and aerodromes across Australia. It also represents over 150 corporate members supplying products and services to airports and the wide aviation industry.