City of Long Beach, CA
10/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2024 12:23
Long Beach Airport Achieves 38% Reduction in Carbon Emissions as it Renews Accreditation
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
10/16/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 101624-2
Subject:
Long Beach Airport Achieves 38% Reduction in Carbon Emissions as it Renews Accreditation
Contact:
Above: (Left) Boosting sustainability and safety, 95% of LGB airfield lights and 85% of its airfield signage have now been converted to LED fixtures. (Right) Long Beach Airport recently activated solar canopies covering nearly 133,000 square feet on top of Parking Structures A and B. The installation is projected to meet approximately 70% of the Airport's electricity demands for its public facilities and airfield.
Long Beach, CA - Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Long Beach Airport (LGB) is reporting a 38% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2016 and recently renewed its Level II Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) from Airports Council International.
"With a 38% reduction in emissions since 2016, Long Beach Airport is showing what's possible when you prioritize sustainability and innovation," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Renewing our carbon accreditation highlights our continued commitment to creating a cleaner, greener Long Beach."
The renewed accreditation, which was announced last month at the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, highlights the Airport's ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions on a per-passenger basis. LGB's Carbon Management Plan includes ambitious targets to further reduce emissions by 20% by 2025 and 40% by 2030, compared to 2016 levels. City leaders have set a goal for the Airport to eventually become a carbon neutral facility.
Long Beach Airport first earned its ACA certification in 2021 based on inventories of its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions from 2016 to 2019. The emissions reduction targets are based on the 2016 baseline year. Scope 1 emissions are airport-owned or controlled sources, such as airport vehicles, refrigerant losses and emergency backup generators. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased energy, such as electricity and natural gas. The emissions were verified by an independent third-party as a condition of the certification.
LGB has made a number of strides in sustainability, including embarking on a voluntary emissions reduction program with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and fully electrifying all 11 commercial gates for ground service equipment. LGB also incentivizes the purchase of cleaner, unleaded aviation fuel (UL94) for general aviation users as well as supporting Atlantic Aviation's program to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for business jets. Just this year, two solar canopy installations covering nearly 133,000 square feet on LGB's parking structures were installed.
"Long Beach Airport is committed to not only meet but exceed the targets we've set for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing sustainability and resiliency of our operations," said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. "We're not just investing in the present-we're ensuring a greener tomorrow."
Level 2 ACA requires LGB to develop and continually update Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions inventories, implement its carbon management plan and reduce its carbon footprint each year. Ultimately, LGB plans to achieve Level 3+, or carbon neutrality for all airport emissions.
Visit www.lgb.org/green for more information about LGB's sustainability initiatives.
About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.
For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about Long Beach Airport is available at lgb.org and on Facebook, Instagram and X @LGBAirport.