Long Beach Airport Recognized for Carbon Reduction Efforts

Long Beach, CA – Airports Council International (ACI), the leading industry group for airports, has certified Long Beach Airport (LGB) with a Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) emission reduction rating. 

“This certification is an important recognition of Long Beach Airport’s progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We are on the path to carbon neutrality.”

ACA is a voluntary, worldwide carbon management program that helps airports identify, manage and reduce their carbon emissions. The program has six levels of accreditation that address both direct and indirect emission sources. In its first year applying to the program, LGB attained the Level 2 reduction accreditation based upon a review of its carbon emissions from 2016 to 2019, as well as a carbon management plan that includes pledges to reduce emissions from 2016 levels, on a per passenger basis, by 20% in 2025 and 40% in 2030. 

“This is a well-deserved certification from a very rigorous accreditation process,” said Councilwoman Stacy Mungo Flanigan. “In addition to serving as an economic asset for our region, Long Beach Airport continues to make great strides in reducing its environmental impact on surrounding communities.” 

In 2018, the City Council unanimously approved an item, sponsored by Mayor Robert Garcia and Councilwoman Stacy Mungo Flanigan, that requested that the City develop a plan to lead the nation on sustainability for airports and to work with airlines and other partners to become an incubator of cleantech in aviation, with the goal of becoming a carbon-neutral facility. 

Since that time, LGB has begun a voluntary emissions reduction program with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, fully electrified all 11 commercial gates for ground service equipment, created recycling and organic waste diversion programs, replaced old equipment with more energy-efficient technology, and collaborated with Aeroplex/Aerolease on the largest solar energy project to date on the Airport campus. As part of the City’s solar energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with PFMG Solar Long Beach, LLC, LGB will also host two large solar arrays on top of Parking Structures A and B; construction is expected to be complete in 2022. 

“We’ve long been known for delivering one of the best passenger experiences in the nation,” said Long Beach Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “Travelers should also know that when they fly LGB, they are choosing an airport dedicated to sustainability.”  

Learn more about Long Beach’s ACA rating from this fact sheet.