LAX AND VAN NUYS AIRPORTS ACHIEVE LEVEL 4 CARBON ACCREDITATION, LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABILITY
For Immediate Release:
April 11, 2025
Contact:
LOS ANGELES — Airports Council International Europe announced the continued accreditation and advancement of Los Angeles International (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) airports in its Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program. Both airports earned "Level 4 – Transformation" accreditation, recognizing Los Angeles World Airports' (LAWA) continued commitment to meeting its bold sustainability goals, including carbon neutrality from airport operations by 2045.
With this latest achievement, VNY is now the first general aviation airport in the Americas to be certified at Level 4 or higher.
"This accreditation is an example of how Los Angeles World Airports continues to be a leader in sustainability and innovation," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "I commend CEO John Ackerman and the Airports for these achievements, knowing that they will continue to build upon this progress for a greener future, keep customers safe and work to deliver an excellent experience."
The ACA program independently assesses carbon management practices by airports, and recognizes them for efforts to quantify and reduce carbon emissions from airport operations. Level 4 recognizes an airport for measuring carbon emissions from both an airport authority and third parties operating on site, and for demonstrating emissions reduction progress.
"Airport carbon accreditation highlights LAWA's commitment to building a sustainable future, while maintaining safe and efficient operations," said John Ackerman, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. "LAX is only one of six commercial airports in the nation to be accredited at Level 4 or higher, and Van Nuys Airport is the only general aviation airport in the Americas to achieve this distinction. I am proud of the work that LAWA and our partners are doing to invest in our people, our future, and a greener future for all."
At Level 4 accreditation, LAX joins only three other commercial airports in the United States at this level. LAX was first accredited at "Level 2 – Reduction" in 2016 and was first accredited at "Level 3 – Optimization" in 2017. VNY was first accredited at Level 2 in 2017, making it among the first general aviation airports in the world to earn accreditation.
LAWA's work to reduce carbon emissions are part of three bold sustainability goals for 2045: zero use of non-renewable electricity, zero use of potable water in non-potable uses, and carbon neutrality from airport operations. Over the past two years, LAX and VNY achieved the following milestones in pursuit of carbon neutrality:
LAX
- In 2023, a 26-percent reduction of energy consumption per passenger at LAX from 2011 levels was achieved, two years ahead of LAWA's 2025 goal.
- In 2024, the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners approved the LAX Electric Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Incentive Program, which allowed GSE operators to apply for grants to buy-down the cost of new, zero-emission equipment to accelerate emissions reductions.
- As of 2024, LAX's electric vehicle (EV) charger count grew to 1,261. EV chargers are available in all Central Terminal Area parking structures and LAX Economy Parking, and guests can reserve EV-enabled parking spaces at parking.flylax.com.
- The following structures achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications: Tom Bradley International Terminal Vertical Core (Silver), Terminal 5.5 Vertical Core (Silver), LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility (Gold), Terminal 4.5 Vertical Core (Gold) and the Airport Police Facility (Gold).
VNY
- In 2023, VNY reduced greenhouse gas emissions (in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) per aircraft operation by 7% from 2022 and by 31% from 2011. This is attributable in part to the continuing adoption of renewable energy sources (e.g., renewable diesel, vehicle electrification) for VNY’s vehicle fleet.
- Total energy consumption decreased 7.6% in 2023 from 2022 figures.
- Total volume of Sustainable/Synthetic Aviation Fuel (SAF) deliveries to VNY increased from 90,819 gallons in 2023 to 2,592,159 gallons in 2024.
- Total volume of unleaded aviation gas deliveries to VNY quadrupled, from 2,127 gallons in 2023 to 8,219 gallons in 2024.
More information about LAWA's sustainability policies and goals can be found at www.lawa.org/sustainability.
LAX, the sixth-busiest airport in the world serving nearly 66 million guests in 2022, is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a proprietary, revenue-generating department of the City of Los Angeles that also governs Van Nuys Airport (VNY). As the international gateway to the Southern California region, LAX and its partners are dedicated to meeting global airport standards for customer satisfaction, safety, regional economic leadership, organizational performance and sustainability.
To better serve the millions of domestic and international guests that travel through LAX each year, the airport is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program to modernize its entire campus. Initiatives underway include an Automated People Mover, a Consolidated Rental Car Facility and two projects that will each add over one million square feet to the airport's existing property: Terminal 9 and Concourse 0. For more information about LAX, its transformation and its environmental, social and local workforce commitments, please visit flylax.com. Follow LAX on X (formally Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.