Summary

King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) has successfully achieved Level 2 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACAP), demonstrating actual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. ACAP is an international effort to reduce such emissions attributed to aviation.

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King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) has successfully achieved Level 2 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACAP), demonstrating actual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. ACAP is an international effort to reduce emissions attributed to aviation.

"The transportation sector is ripe for innovation as we confront and defeat the climate crisis, and the hard work that went into getting this certification is another piece of that mission," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "I'm proud of the team at King County International Airport for reaching the next step in ACAP, and indeed all of their work toward creating a cleaner and greener future."

"Through our work to reduce emissions and achieve ACAP Level 2, we're building momentum toward our long-term goal of becoming a carbon neutral airport," said John Parrott, director of King County International Airport-Boeing Field.

In 2021, KCIA was the first general aviation airport in Washington state to achieve ACAP Level 1. There are just 64 airports in North America, and 510 worldwide, that are engaged in ACAP.

KCIA is being assisted in its efforts by WSP, an internationally recognized, locally dedicated engineering firm that has helped airports of all sizes in planning and design for a more equitable, environmentally sustainable future. WSP and the airport worked together to develop a ten-year work program to achieve carbon neutrality and establish annual carbon footprint reporting. The 2021 carbon footprint calculations show a 44% total emissions reduction at KCIA compared to 2007.

The airport has demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability in other ways as well. Last month, KCIA finalized purchase details for a hybrid electric fire engine, the first airport in the nation to do so. The new Striker Volterra 6x6 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle is expected to be delivered in mid-2024. In addition, the airport is working to electrify more of its ground vehicle fleet. The airport also meets or exceeds the King County standards for construction and demolition diversion rates.

KCIA is also the first airport in the U.S. to begin the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) program, a new international certification program that helps airports and other air transport industry stakeholders towards greater environmental sustainability.

Climate change caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions will have long-term consequences for the environment, the economy, and public health and safety. To do its part to reduce the threat, King County International Airport-Boeing Field aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 for Scope 1 (direct emissions controlled by KCIA) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heating and cooling in buildings) emissions.

ACAP is sponsored by Airports Council International (ACI), and is the only airport-specific, internationally recognized carbon management framework. Through its six levels of accreditation, ACAP can be used by any airport to manage its environmental impact, and each level reached increases an airport's ability to mitigate the effects of climate change. ACAP certification is just one part of King County International Airport's work toward meeting the targets set out in King County's Strategic Climate Action Plan or SCAP.

Learn more about ACAP at AirportCO2.org, and track KCIA's journey toward a carbon-neutral future at kingcounty.gov/airport/carbon.