The Race to Zero is a global campaign involving cities, regions and businesses committing to zero carbon emissions by or before 2050.

For this airport, it was an easy sign-on.

Last November, Christchurch Airport became the first airport in the world to reach the highest level of airport carbon reduction best practice, as judged by the Airport Council International ACA programme. This involved independent scrutiny of our science-based reduction targets, emission reduction projects, and how we were impacting the wider sector.

To date, we have achieved an 85% reduction in our Scope 1 emissions (all direct emissions of our activities) since our 2015 baseline year. Further plans are underway to impact our Scope 2 (purchased electricity) and influence emission reductions in our supply chain.

Christchurch Airport’s climate leadership has been recognised by the Sustainable Business Network Awards naming us finalists in the Climate Leadership and Climate Innovation categories. We are especially proud of CEO Malcolm Johns being a finalist in the Sustainability Superstar category for his leadership, not just at the airport, but nationally and regionally. Plus we’re a finalist in the New Zealand Tourism Awards – Sustainability category for our work on climate and waste reduction.

It is important to us to do our part while also sharing what we learn, which is why we have an ‘open source’ sustainability approach to share our journey with other airports, businesses and interested groups.

Climate action requires us all to get on board, so we invite everyone in our network to consider joining Christchurch Airport in the Race to Zero.