Carbon Removal and Reduction to Support Airport Net-Zero Goals

The objective of this research is to develop a playbook to help airports understand and define how they can reach the net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050 or earlier. This research will provide foundational knowledge for airports to better understand carbon removal strategies (technology and nature-based) and their potential feasibility in an airport setting. The playbook will assist airports in selecting and customizing net-zero carbon strategies, based on their type, size, and geographic region. It will include a framework for decision-making and implementation, and will help airports evaluate the trade-offs and synergies among various carbon reduction and emerging removal strategies. Specifically, the playbook will include, but not be limited to, the following elements and considerations: (1) Identification of funding opportunities for carbon removal strategies; (2) Identification and estimation of new revenue opportunities referenced in ACRP Report 57; (3) A summary of current and future utility energy supply mixes in different regions including the regulatory context for airports to procure their own clean energy from the gas and/or electricity grid; (4) Combination or sequencing of strategies and technologies for the near-term and long-term approaches; (5) Applicable strategies for retrofit versus new-build facilities (e.g., terminals, support buildings); (6) Recommendations for how recent carbon-related commitments by airlines and other key stakeholders could be leveraged by airports; (6) A library of tools (e.g., templates, flowcharts, calculators) to help airports evaluate and select strategies that meet their unique needs; (7) References to and incorporation of relevant existing databases and case studies; (8) A focus on the airport’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and potential connectivity to Scope 3 (e.g., electrification of ground support equipment), (See Special Note B);     (9) A risk reduction plan to remain on target when encountering setbacks, (e.g., pandemic, natural disasters, terrorism, grid-disruptions); and (10) A description of how on-site utilities or carbon removal technologies could support levels beyond net-zero targets/goals. 

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5201

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $600000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 02-100

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Airport Cooperative Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Project Managers:

  Schatz, Theresia

• Performing Organizations:

  Mead & Hunt, Incorporated

  Lansing, MI  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Andrus, Kate

• Start Date: 20220316
• Expected Completion Date: 20231115
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airports; Carbon; Environmental control; Financing; Policy; Pollutants; Pollution control
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Environment; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01779211
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 02-100
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 16 2021 3:16PM