Sustainability

Nelson Airport is a key strategic asset for the Nelson-Tasman region, so it’s vital our operations are sustainable and enduring – and that those of our key partners in the aviation sector are too.

As well as benchmarking and improving the environmental credentials of everything we do, we are working closely with the aviation sector to support the transition to a zero emissions future for air travel.

Our coastal location will always pose challenges associated with climate change and sea level rise. We need to respond and adapt to protect the airport’s infrastructure and maintain our region’s links with the rest of New Zealand and the world.

This page outlines some of the work and planning we have underway.

Our Goals

We have our carbon footprint independently measured, and 120% of our emissions are offset.

In addition to initiatives linked directly to our own activities, we are proactively seeking opportunities to support our business partners to drive industry-level sustainability. We are part of an industry group tasked with assisting airlines with the transition to zero emission fuels, whether that be electricity, hydrogen or sustainable aviation fuels.

We recognise offsetting is not the long-term solution, and strive to only use green energy in the future.

• Read our Sustainability Policy

Our recent initiatives include:

• Carbon emissions independently assessed, and offset by 120%

• Replaced apron floodlights and car park lighting with low-emission energy efficient LED fixtures

• Engaged industry experts to assess the potential for utility-scale solar energy generation at the airport

• Investigating the potential for solar energy to be used to power aviation activities either through direct charging of batteries or through powering processes to produce green-hydrogen and/or sustainable aviation fuel

• Constructed our Bike Zone to support cycling to and from the airport

• Completed a coastal erosion assessment and initiation of planning to implement mitigations

• Along with Air New Zealand and Sublime Coffee, we have joined a community composting scheme to compost all food waste.

• Our grounds maintenance contractor, Nelmac, is now using battery-powered handheld equipment when working on airport grounds.

Responding to climate change

Nelson Airport is susceptible to flooding and coastal erosion, and we know the challenge will only grow because of the accelerating impact of climate change.

We have carried out some work to increase the airport’s resilience already, and climate impacts will be a key consideration in all future project planning.

Some of the work complete or underway includes:

• New terminal floor level built higher than the previous terminal, in line with Council requirements at the time

• Investigation of stormwater pipe upgrades during airside tarmac improvements

• Discussions with Nelson City Council about provision of a stop bank along Jenkins Creek

• Consideration of increased retention pond capacity to reduce flooding impacts

• Design of rock wall revetments for critical areas of the southern perimeter