Auckland Airport has announced a significant commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, setting a target to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% from 2019 levels by 2030. The remaining 10% of residual emissions will be neutralised through a certified offsetting scheme, which is yet to be determined.
Material actions and disclosures
The company has already made substantial progress towards its emissions reduction goals. In the 2026 financial year, Auckland Airport’s total GHG emissions were 3,381,224 tCO2e, with scope 1 and 2 emissions totalling 1,467 tCO2e using a market-based methodology and 4,123 tCO2e using a location-based methodology. Compared to the 2019 baseline, scope 1 and 2 emissions have decreased by 70%, driven by operational initiatives such as the installation of 11 x 600kW heatpumps in the international terminal building and the commissioning of on-site solar arrays like the Mānawa Bay and Transport Hub.
Auckland Airport has also continued to invest in on-site solar generation and the purchase of Meridian Energy’s Renewable Energy Certificates to support its renewable electricity procurement objectives. The company’s scope 3 inventory has evolved to include additional data and improved methodologies, providing a clearer picture of emissions sources associated with airport operations.
Forward commitments
Auckland Airport plans to enter into a power purchase agreement to support its scope 2 renewable electricity objectives and achieve 100% renewable electricity procurement by 2030. The company also aims to continue investing in on-site solar generation and to reduce diesel emissions by 25% from the baseline year.
Auckland Airport’s targets and pathway have not been validated by any third party, but the company’s approach is consistent with recognised climate science and emissions reduction trajectories associated with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Deloitte Limited has provided reasonable assurance over selected scope 1 and 2 GHG disclosures and limited assurance over scope 3 GHG disclosures included in the Climate Statements prepared in accordance with Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards (NZ CSs).