DFW First U.S. Airport To Receive Climate Leadership Award

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the first U.S. airport to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Leadership Award for Greenhouse Gas Management.

Climate Leadership Award
(Source: PRNewsFoto/DFW International Airport)

“DFW is honored to be the first Airport recipient of the EPA award for Greenhouse Gas Management. We are committed to leadership in sustainability within our industry and will continue to focus on reducing our carbon footprint. This award reinforces we are on the right track in serving our Airport and the North Texas region,” said Sean Donohue, CEO, DFW International Airport.

As part of the EPA’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership co-sponsors the Climate Leadership Awards with two partners — Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry. With these awards, the two co-sponsors strive to bring attention to leaders in the management and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions — both in internal operations and throughout the supply chain.

As one of three EPA award recipients for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management Goal Setting, DFW Airport is being recognized for publicly reporting and verifying organization-wide greenhouse gas inventories and publicly setting aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. The EPA awarded DFW Airport, specifically, for the following accomplishment: setting an absolute target of an annual two percent reduction in its direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions from 2010 to 2020. Also recognized in this category were IBM and MetLife, Inc.

“I am proud to distinguish Dallas Fort Worth International Airport for its outstanding actions and dedication to reduce harmful carbon pollution that leads to climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “DFW Airport is leading the way towards a healthy environment and demonstrates that meeting challenges of a changing climate can be done.”

DFW plans to achieve additional reduction goals by increasing renewable energy and alternative fuel use; by integrating best available energy-efficient technology into facilities, systems, processes and operations; and, finally, by expanding partnerships with airlines, regulatory agencies, academia, nongovernmental organizations, business associations and other stakeholders to develop effective and sustainable solutions to improve air quality and reduce aviation’s impact on climate change. As of March 1, 2016, DFW has expanded its proportion of renewable energy to 40 percent, has reduced costs and doubled airport renewable energy use over the past 2 years (equivalent to installation of 33 wind turbines).