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Making a green transition at Christchurch International Airport
Journal of Airport Management,
18
(3),
273-288
(2024)
Abstract
Commitments to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from aviation are growing stronger, stimulating efforts to meet net zero targets. As critical infrastructure for air travel, airports obviously have an important role to play in making the transition away from fossil fuels. This requires major organisational change, operational innovation and future planning for low carbon and zero emission travel. New Zealand’s Christchurch International Airport has taken a pioneering lead, developing a transformational agenda, achieving global recognition for its emissions reductions and mobilising to build renewable energy infrastructure. This paper reports on research commissioned to assess the airport’s journey toward a green transition. It discusses how the airport made sustainability integral to its business purpose and organisational culture, how it developed a Green Transition Plan, and how it has raised sustainability on the agenda, locally, nationally and internationally. It also reports the airport’s development of a renewable energy precinct and its partnerships for the future implementation of low emission travel powered by renewable electricity and green hydrogen.
Keywords: airport sustainability; emissions reductions; renewable energy; energy transition; sustainable aviation; net zero
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Piers Locke is an Environmental Social Scientist who consults on climate change and sustainability. He works on climate disclosures, climate risks, scenario analysis, climate change adaptation, organisational change and transition planning. He holds a PhD in anthropology from the University of Kent, UK, a Master’s degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, a BA(Hons) from the University of Kent and a certificate in Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategy from the University of Cambridge. He previously lectured in anthropology at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, where he taught political, economic and environmental problems in the modern world. In his research, he developed interdisciplinary approaches to human–environment relations. He has been the recipient of a University of Canterbury Sustainability Award and has served as a visiting fellow of the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society in Munich. Piers is particularly interested in helping organisations develop strategy, apply systems thinking and increase their resilience.
Claire Waghorn is the Sustainable Transition Leader at Christchurch International Airport, and Co-Chair of the Zero Emissions Aviation Workstream for Sustainable Aviation Aotearoa (New Zealand’s version of the Jet Zero Council). She holds an LLB with a focus on international climate law and has been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. She also holds a Masters of Science in international relations from the London School of Economics, and an Arts double major in New Zealand history and diplomacy and international relations from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. She is currently working on accelerating the transition within the aviation sector towards future decarbonised aviation, with a specific focus on green hydrogen. Claire’s previous roles include parliamentary researcher, and Foreign Policy Officer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Claire currently sits as a Director of Hollin Consulting, a board member of the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies, as well as the International Airport Review Advisory Board.
