This section outlines a scalable approach for planning, implementing, improving and/or maintaining a sustainability program.  Although this approach is described in detail here, SAGA emphasizes that every sustainability program will be unique and that an airport operator should modify and scale this approach based on its specific operating environment and resources.

It was discussed that adopting a consensus-based definition of sustainability is an important first step.  Even if a sustainability program is already underway, it is important to take action that to establish a common understanding of what sustainability means to the airport.  Once a definition of sustainability has been adopted, the airport operator should also make sure that the drivers and rationale for pursuing a sustainability program are understood and embraced throughout all levels of the organization.  Following, efforts can then turn toward developing an approach for planning, implementing, improving, and maintaining a sustainability program. 

A successful approach to sustainability planning includes engaging stakeholders to identify short-term and long-term goals, prioritizing and selecting actions to achieve those goals, and establishing processes for measuring, evaluating and communicating progress.  A sustainability program should also address the interconnections between an airport’s sustainability practices and other sustainability initiatives at the local, regional, and worldwide level. As a result, sustainability practices will be integrated into the day-to-day management activities of the airport, the overall business model, and thus influence the impacts of the airport on our dynamic world.

The importance of approaching sustainability in an organized manner cannot be overstated.  As sustainability becomes a larger part of our global business landscape, one emerging trend is that many organizations are setting sustainability goals and targets without a coordinated approach or a system to measure and report on their successes.  SAGA notes that an airport operator’s sustainability program will achieve greater success through a consensus-based approach that is carefully planned and where metrics are identified and used to gauge progress.

This section provides one approach that may be used or modified by an airport operator to create a successful sustainability program.  The discussion includes: 

• The importance of building a diverse sustainability team
• An outline of specific steps for action
• Integrating an airport’s sustainability approach into the larger community

Two theoretical examples that walk through a step-by-step application of the sustainability approach are included in Section 3.  One example showcases a pilot project for sustainability and the second presents a comprehensive sustainability program. 

Additional Resources

Several airport operators have established successful sustainability programs and have published resources that can serve as guidance for developing and implementing a sustainability program.  The SAGA Sustainability Database *LINK* summarizes a variety of the initiatives currently implemented at airports around the world.  Additional resources on many of these successful sustainability programs are available through the SAGA Airport Sustainability webpage or directly from the airports.  They include, but are not limited to, airports located in the following cities:
 
  Vancouver, BC, Canada
  San Francisco , CA
  Los Angeles, CA
  Boston, MA
  Fort Lauderdale, FL
  Salt Lake City, UT
  Chicago, IL
  Oakland, CA
  San Diego, CA
  Portland, OR
  Seattle, WA
  Burbank, CA
  Columbus, OH
  New York City, NY
  Denver, CO
  Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
  Philadelphia, PA
  Sacramento, CA
 
In addition, several projects have been completed or are underway through the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB’s) Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), including S02-02 (Sustainable Facilities and Practices), 02-13 (Guidebook for Improving Environmental Performance at Small Airports) and 08-01 (Sustainable Airport Construction Practices).

Applicability to Smaller Airports

Although it may appear that only large airports will have the resources to implement a sustainability program, it is the consensus of SAGA (based on the experience of its members) that some portion, if not all, of the recommendations included in this document are within the capability of small airports, as well as large. The difference among airports may be the breadth at which initial programs are implemented (i.e. the scale).  The overall approach and many of the practices presented in this document are scalable so that each airport can apply them based on specific conditions and resources.

Airport operators are encouraged to view sustainability as a process and not an end goal.  To be sustainable, the sustainability plan or program itself should be a living document/program that is tweaked and improved as understanding and conditions evolve in accordance with the resources available. To provide an example of this, the Program Examples area *LINK* identifies two different ways that sustainability can be achieved by adapting and using the approach outlined herein.  These efforts can be undertaken exclusively with existing airport staff or with contracted resources.