Mitigating an Airport’s Carbon Footprint Through the Use of “Green” Technologies: The Case of Brisbane and Melbourne Airports, Australia

Abstract

Like many other airports located around the world, Australia’s major airports have installed and are operating new green energy systems, such as, photovoltaic (PV) solar and trigeneration systems. Using an instrumental case study research approach, this study has examined how Brisbane and Melbourne Airports have mitigated their carbon footprint by using green, renewable energy systems. The extensive use of these green, renewable energy has enabled both Brisbane and Melbourne Airports to reduce their annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and thus, these measures have helped to mitigate the environmental impact of these airports’ operations. The study revealed that the photovoltaic (PV) solar system at Brisbane Airport, will enable the airport to reduce its annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by an estimated 8,000 tonnes per year. The trigeneration system installed and operated by Melbourne Airport will deliver an estimated reduction of 920,000 tonnes carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions over a 15 period. Melbourne Airport’s photovoltaic (PV) solar is also delivering a reduction in the airport’s annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emission.