Sustainability

Townsville Airport is committed to advancing sustainability across the business, guided by Queensland Airports Limited’s (QAL) overarching vision to inspire a sustainable future. As part of the QAL group, we’re focused on delivering long-term, sustainable outcomes for our customers, partners and the communities in which we operate. These initiatives form part of a broader sustainability strategy designed to ensure Townsville Airport continues to grow responsibly while contributing to a more sustainable future for the region. 

A wetland ecosystem with grassy islands and water bodies under a partly cloudy sky, illustrating natural habitat diversity and landscape conservation.

On this page

Climate

Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4

Townsville Airport is accredited to Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4 until 30 June 2028. This means that we are committed to reducing our Scope 1 and Scope 2 market-based emissions in line with our owner, Queensland Airport Limited’s Net Zero 2030 target, and to working with our stakeholders to drive reductions in Scope 3 emissions. We measure our Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon footprint each year.

 

 

Net Zero 2030 target 

 

Queensland Airports Limited has a Net Zero 2030 target to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 market-based emissions to zero by 2030.  This is an absolute reduction commitment. We have a carbon management plan in place to achieve this target. A small quantity of offsets may be used to help achieve this target. Townsville Airport will play a role in achieving Queensland Airport Limited’s Net Zero 2030 target.

View QAL's overall organisational commitment to Net Zero by 2030 for Scope 1 & Scope 2 market-based emissions, here.

 

Renewable power purchase agreement 

To support achievement of the Net Zero 2030 target, Townsville Airport’s electricity consumption is covered by a renewable purchase power agreement with CS Energy until the end of 2031. This agreement covers all electricity consumption at Townsville Airport, including the consumption of tenants who operate on our embedded networks (except for those tenants who have opted out). 

 

Current emission reduction priorities

Consistent with our carbon management plan and stakeholder partnership plan, we are working on emissions reduction priorities such as:

  • Converting our fleet to hybrid and/or electric vehicles when commercially priced vehicles become available that meet our needs.
  • Advocating for the introduction of public transport to Townsville Airport.

  • Exploring opportunities to support the decarbonisation of aviation through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and electric, electric hybrid and hydrogen aircraft.

     

Biodiversity & Heritage

Townsville Airport sits on a site that includes a mix of developed infrastructure and undeveloped land. To the north-east of the terminal, there’s an area of open land that holds local ecological value. While relatively small and not formally classified as environmentally significant, the land, which was previously used as a landfill, today includes patches of native vegetation and wetland that provide habitat for local wildlife. We acknowledge its role in supporting the broader ecosystem and manage it with care as part of our Biodiversity Action Plan.