The City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation received a $220,800 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Supplemental Discretionary Grant to support the Department’s Net Zero Decarbonization Plan, in line with the FAA’s Airports Climate Challenge program.
"The Department of Aviation will use the grant to build upon its work to become a more efficient and sustainable operation and minimize the carbon footprint of Philadelphia International Airport [PHL]," said CEO Atif Saeed. "Our airport has set the ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050, in line with Airport Council International and the City of Philadelphia, by reducing and offsetting our greenhouse gas emissions through a number of innovative programs. Thank you to the FAA for recognizing our sustainability accomplishments and supporting this vital, ongoing work."
The airport’s recent sustainability efforts include the development of a Sustainability Management Plan (SMP), which provides a framework for the airport sustainability program at both PHL and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) with goals, targets, and strategies; a clean fleet program to convert all light and medium weight airport vehicles and shuttles to electric vehicles and supply ample charging facilities to staff and passengers; and a comprehensive solar feasibility study to identify ways to generate solar power at PHL and PNE.
In recognition of the airport’s efforts towards carbon neutrality, PHL achieved Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) at Level 1 in 2021 and increased to Level 2 in 2022. Accreditation was accomplished by conducting annual greenhouse gas emission inventories, setting targets for emission reductions and demonstrating real emission reductions. The ACA is internationally recognized as the gold standard for verifiable airport carbon management.
The Net Zero Decarbonization Plan will plot a course for PHL to eliminate or offset all fossil fuel emissions produced by airport operations and achieve carbon neutrality. The plan will develop a clear, metrics-based strategy for energy efficient upgrades, renewable energy generation and usage of alternative fuels, identifying the steps necessary to achieve the exciting goal of a carbon-neutral future for PHL.
