The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently launched the Airport Climate Challenge designed to help U.S. airports achieve the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
“The United States should not only have the safest and most efficient aerospace system in the world, it can and should be the most environmentally sustainable as well. By partnering with the country’s airports, we can meet this climate challenge,” Shannetta Griffin, FAA associate administrator for airports, said.
Airports can take advantage of several FAA funding programs. These include the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions Program, which provides grants for the implementation of clean technology projects that improve airport air quality; the Zero Emissions Vehicle Program, which provides grants for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles and associated infrastructure; and the Airport Sustainability Planning Program, which provides grants for airports to develop comprehensive sustainability plans.
These programs have the support of the Airports Council International-North America and Airport Consultants Council.
The FAA plans to develop a tool to allow airports to voluntarily estimate, track and report emissions reduction achievements when implementing projects supported by the programs.
The Aviation Climate Action Plan for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 was released in November.
The FAA awarded more than $100 million in matching grants last year.