Sustainability Feasibility: A Framework for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mitigation for Midsized U.S. Airports
Andrew Monsalud, Denny Ho, Jasenka Rakas · 2012
In recent years a significant amount of research has been conducted with the objective of improving efficiency of aircraft operations through optimized aircraft trajectories, thereby reducing harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as CO2. However, as we look at the aviation system more holistically, we discover that there is a serious lack of comprehensive research that addresses reduction of GHG emissions at airports. Although the need for reduction in airport GHG emissions clearly exists, only a few US state or federal policies require airport operators to reduce such emissions. As a response to such a need, this paper develops the methodology for establishing more sustainable airports, analyzes mitigation strategies regarding specific airport operations, and develops a database for emission-tracking that would greatly assist airport officials in making their airport more sustainable. Establishing a precedent for analyzing emissions from airports would prove an integral part in evaluating other sustainability initiatives. This area of research has significant potential for reducing airport emissions, which in the wake of anthropogenic climate change is vital to future sustainability of air transportation.