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Houston,
TX – September 2025 / NewsmakerAlert: Houston
Airports is halfway to its bold goal of reducing carbon emissions by
40% over the 2019 baseline. With a 19% reduction already in hand for the
airport system, George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), William P. Hobby (HOU)
and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport (EFD) have advanced to Level 3
in the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport
Carbon Accreditation program.
From
2019 to 2023:
-
IAH reduced
emissions by 17%
-
HOU reduced
emissions by 32%
-
EFD reduced
emissions by 4%
The recognition
reflects a systemwide effort that travelers can already feel and see. Within
the last three years, Houston Airports has added electric vehicles to its
fleet, upgraded airfield lighting with LED bulbs and activated smarter
power systems that keep terminals cool in Houston’s heat.
Level
3 widens the focus from airport-owned emissions to include airline and
tenant activity. United Airlines and Southwest Airlines shared energy data
with Houston Airports, advancing a common plan to cut emissions at the
gate and on the ground.
“Level
3 shows what is possible when airlines, tenants and Houston Airports work
together. United and Southwest shared real data, and our team turned it
into action travelers can see and feel,” said Jim
Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “We are increasing
initiatives, reducing our carbon footprint and improving the passenger
experience every day. Our airports are already a powerful economic engine,
adding billions to the region’s economy. There is no reason we can’t fuel
our economy through a greener, more resilient engine that drives growth
while also serving as a source of pride for Houstonians.”
Recent
and upcoming projects are designed to accelerate progress:
-
Smarter
terminals— IAH D-West Concourse and the new International Terminal
Processor are built with higher efficiency systems. The IAH Terminal
B transformation and the HOU West Concourse expansion include modern equipment
that uses less energy.
-
Power
with resilience— PV solar panels and new chiller plant at HOU. IAH’s
central utility plant upgrades will deliver more efficient chillers, boilers
and electrical systems that cut emissions and improve reliability during
peak demand.
-
Clean
mobility— A growing airline and airport system electric fleet reduces
tailpipe emissions across airport operations.
-
LED
lighting— Airfield and terminal LEDs improve visibility and safety
while lowering energy use.
Why
this matters for Houston
-
Scale
and speed: In just three years, Houston Airports advanced IAH, HOU
and EFD from no accreditation to Level 3. Few airport systems move this
quickly. Houston Airports did so while serving over 60 million passengers
annually.
-
Momentum
made visible: What started as infrastructure gains now expands to collaboration
with airlines and tenants, proving Houston Airports is building the right
partnerships for lasting change.
-
Passenger
intensity: Houston’s passenger volumes translate to roughly eight travelers
per metro resident annually, underscoring why energy-efficient terminals,
electrified fleets and LED conversions are essential. The more passengers
move through our airports, the greater the responsibility to lower emissions
without slowing growth.
-
Right
projects, right now: The Terminal B rebuild and the central utility
plant upgrade at IAH attack the biggest sources of direct emissions, while
partnerships with airlines ensure third-party reductions. Together, these
projects affirm the airport system’s aggressive goal to reduce emissions
by 40%.
“As chair
of the City Council’s Resilience Committee, I see firsthand how vital it
is to link infrastructure with sustainability,” said Council Member Twila
Carter. “Reducing carbon emissions at our airports isn’t just about
cleaner travel — it’s about smarter planning, safer communities and building
a Houston that can thrive for generations to come.”
“Our
airports are the gateway to our city. This is an important milestone that
reflects Houston Airports’ commitment to our city's economic and environmental
well-being,” said Council Member Abbie
Kamin, who has been driving resiliency efforts in Houston and serves
as vice-chair of both Houston’s Resilience Committee and National League
of Cities’ Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Federal Advocacy
Committee. “With over 60 million passengers traveling through Houston each
year, every step to improve sustainability benefits residents, workers,
travelers, and our planet. I am grateful for the incredible team at Houston
Airports for their hard work and commitment to showing that the Energy
Capital of the World is also the Energy Transition Capital, that economic
growth can be environmentally responsible for the benefit of all.”
Houston
Airports first entered the Airport Carbon Accreditation program in March
2023, achieved Level 1 that September, advanced to Level 2 for Bush and
Hobby in 2024, and now advances all three airports to Level 3 in 2025.
Formal recognition will be presented at the ACI conference in October.
About
Airport Carbon Accreditation
Airport
Carbon Accreditation is the only institutionally endorsed, global carbon
management certification for airports. It is a voluntary, global program
milestone that helps airports measure, manage and reduce carbon emissions.
About
Houston Airports
Houston
Airports operates George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P.
Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport. The system welcomed
a record 63 million passengers in 2024 and continues to invest in projects
that deliver smarter travel with a smaller footprint.
Media
Contact:
Houston
Airports Communications Office
HAS.PIO@HoustonTX.gov |
