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The Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) and its tenant companies are implementing a carbon emissions reduction programme that involves a number of infrastructure and employee initiatives. The remaining emissions have been reduced by the purchase of carbon offsets through The CarbonNeutral Company, a carbon offset and climate consulting business. The GIAA has also invested in green energy projects in Europe and Asia.

In early 2008, the Gander International Airport Authority engaged InterVISTAS Consulting to quantify its annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Gary Vey, Gander International Airport Authority President and CEO, explained that the airport has set a goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 33% by 2020.

The airport has engaged an energy engineer to recommend the adoption of renewable next generation energy systems that will reduce emissions and cost.

"The bulk of the airport's emissions are from fossil fuels usage to power our facilities and mobile vehicle fleet," Mr. Vey explained. "We are working to identify an alternative system which meets our needs and budget."

The airport has formed a Green Committee, comprised of airport workers, partners and tenants, to implement a green culture and practices at the airport.

"We are looking at a number of things - reducing paper consumption, a procurement policy that gives preference to green vendors, reducing electricity use, more comprehensive recycling, anti-idling policies, energy retrofits and more," he explained. "A carbon neutral culture will eventually become an intrinsic part of our workplace culture, operations and planning."

Gander International Airport is among airports around the world that are signatories to the 2008 Aviation and Environment Summit Declaration, which commits to carbon-neutral growth and a carbon-free future.

"The airport authority's decision to become Carbon Neutral is like any other business decision we make," Mr. Vey stated. "Positive environmental choices are also positive business choices."

The IPCC has estimated that aviation is responsible for around 3.5 percent of anthropogenic greenhouse gases, a figure which includes both CO2 and non-CO2 induced effects (including water vapour and NOx).  By 2050, aviation is expected to account for between 5-15 percent of anthropogenic greenhouse gases.