During this year’s Climate Week NYC, JFKIAT – the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport – is announcing its investment in Green-e certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to support the aviation industry’s transition to green electricity and JFKIAT’s continued efforts to combat climate change.
JFKIAT’s investment in RECs – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) validated market-based instruments that represent the ownership of generated renewable energy – is a critical step forward in supporting and advancing the development of renewable energy production in the U.S. This action is part of JFKIAT’s immediate carbon reduction strategy and commitment to reaching net-zero carbon by 2050. As a result, the facility’s overall carbon footprint has been reduced by 16 percent when compared to its baseline.
“At T4, sustainability informs every aspect of our innovative operations, and we’re on a mission to continue investing in responsible, ethical, and environmentally conscious programs,” said Roel Huinink, Chief Executive Officer of JFKIAT. “By helping to track production within electricity power grids, RECs are an important tool in expanding the renewable energy market. Through this investment, we are able to reduce our scope 2 electricity emissions to net zero while supporting the generation of renewable energy in the U.S. Not only does this program encourage the ongoing transition to cleaner energy sources and make renewable energy projects more economically viable, but it also creates a healthy environment at T4 and prepares our facility for a resilient future.”
This program is JFKIAT’s latest move in driving its sustainability program forward at the largest terminal within the airport. In partnership with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ), the company has led innovative initiatives that set a new standard for airport terminals in reduced emissions that will contribute to a healthier environment. In 2018, PANYNJ became the first public transportation agency in the United States to embrace the Paris Climate Agreement, setting aggressive interim greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets that call for a 35-percent reduction by 2025 and reaffirming the agency’s commitment to net-zero by 2050 through its Net-Zero Roadmap. Through JFKIAT’s comprehensive sustainability program, which follows Paris Climate Agreement guidelines, the company also continues to invest in initiatives focused on energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, water conservation, waste management, indoor environmental quality, biodiversity, and sustainable transportation. Its strategy is centered on operational efficiency, environmental stewardship, economic stability, and a commitment to providing an exceptional experience for customers and employees.
“The Port Authority is committed to addressing the climate threat by reducing greenhouse gas emissions at our facilities through our net-zero roadmap,” said Port Authority Office of Sustainability Director Chris Diamond. “Stakeholder involvement in reducing our carbon footprint is a significant step towards our goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.”
JFKIAT’s investment in RECs is one of many sustainability initiatives unfolding at JFK International, which is in the midst of a $19 billion transformation that will include two new terminals, two modernized and expanded terminals, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network. The new airport facilities are designed to advance the Port Authority’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions. Solar power projects will be built atop two of the new terminals and over a long-term parking lot at JFK. The agency currently operates the largest electric bus fleet serving any airport nationwide. Ground service equipment that contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions will be switched from fossil fuel-powered to all-electric. Clean construction strategies are reducing emissions as the airport is being built, and the new and modernized terminals are designed to be more sustainable than the facilities they replace.
In 2022, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded JFK Terminal 4 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification, making it the first pre-existing air terminal in the United States to receive Platinum recognition. Since then, T4 has also earned the 2023 Greenest Airport Terminal Award by the Green Restaurant Association, an award which highlights how the terminal has more Certified Green Restaurants® than any other airport terminal in North America. The company also recently purchased 8,736 gallons of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFS) in collaboration with Delta Airlines to offset scope 3 business travel emissions and encourage other companies to use environmentally friendly jet fuel.
JFKIAT’s work in sustainability is driven not only with the T4 community in mind, but with the Queens community in mind as well. The investment in Green-e certified RECs showcases how deeply sustainability is embedded in JFKIAT’s daily operations and guides its commitment to making positive impacts on people, the community, and the environment. From volunteer days to environmentally responsible investments, the company has set a gold standard in sustainability within the aviation industry and is strongly committed to a greener future for all.
