New sustainability initiatives and major upgrades at Miami International Airport

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Miami International Airport (MIA) has been recognized by Airports Council International (ACI) for its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, earning Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA). The accreditation recognizes MIA’s verified efforts to minimize its carbon footprint and its continued commitment to improving its climate goals. The airport will receive its accreditation certificate on September 9 during the 2024 ACI-North American Annual Conference and Exhibition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Miami International Airport (MIA) is one of two airports in Florida and four in the southeastern United States to achieve this recognition. to receive this accreditation under ACI’s global ACA program. The airport’s sustainability initiatives align with Miami-Dade County’s commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Race to Zero program and Climate Action Strategy. MIA aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Its resiliency goals include advancing from Level 1 ACA accreditation (Mapping) to Level 2 (Reduction). This progression includes measures such as increasing the removal of contaminated land, encouraging recycling and waste reduction, reducing electricity and fuel consumption, and using electric vehicles. In addition, MIA is working to achieve Level 1 accreditation for Miami-Dade County’s four general aviation airports.

This recognition from ACI World underscores MIA and Miami-Dade County’s leadership in global sustainability efforts. Notably, MIA achieved this accreditation while being the fastest-growing gateway airport in the U.S. by aircraft seat capacity since the pandemic. The airport’s team was recognized for their efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, which has significantly reduced fuel and electricity consumption.

Under the leadership of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) Director and CEO Ralph Cutié, MIA has implemented significant energy conservation and sustainability initiatives. In late 2020, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) and Florida Power and Light Services (FPLS) successfully completed Phase II of their Sustainability Project at Miami International Airport (MIA). The initiative, the largest of its kind in Florida and one of the largest in the Eastern U.S., included $45 million in energy-efficient lighting, domestic water systems, and HVAC system upgrades, eliminating the use of R-22 refrigerant and mercury vapor. As a result, MIA will save $3.2 million annually in electricity and water costs, the equivalent of fueling 4,856 cars and filling 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools each year through 2035.

In December 2023, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners approved a major contract with Florida Power and Light Services (FPLS) to upgrade Miami International Airport’s (MIA) electrical infrastructure. Over the next 20 years, the $547 million investment will focus on installing zero-emission equipment and net-zero backup power generators. Additionally, MIA is executing a $130 million project to retrofit the entire terminal roof with solar panels by 2030.

The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme, endorsed by Airports Council International (ACI) World, is the only globally recognised carbon management certification for airports. It evaluates and recognises airports’ efforts to manage and reduce carbon emissions through seven certification levels: Mapping, Reduction, Optimisation, Neutrality, Transformation, Transition and Level 5. The ACA programme adheres to internationally recognised methodologies and is specifically tailored to airports.

To achieve certification at any level of the program, airports must have their carbon footprint independently verified by accredited verifiers, in accordance with the International Organization of Standardization’s ISO 14064 (Greenhouse Gas Accounting) standard.

Miami International Airport, the busiest airport in the United States for international cargo and the second-busiest for international passengers, is undergoing an unprecedented $7 billion capital improvement initiative and $1.7 billion in maintenance upgrades. Miami International Airport (MIA) serves the highest number of flights to Latin America and the Caribbean of any U.S. airport and is a vital economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating $31.9 billion in operating revenues and attracting approximately 60 percent of all international visitors to Florida each year.