The campaign involves cities regions and businesses committing to zero carbon emissions by or before 2050

Christchurch Airport has announced it has joined the United Nations ‘Race to Zero’ campaign which commits those involved to reducing emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius.

Last November, the New Zealand Capital’s airport became the first in the world to reach the highest level of airport carbon reduction best practice, as judged by Airport Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme. According to the facility “This involved independent scrutiny of our science-based reduction targets, emission reduction projects, and how we were impacting the wider sector.”

So far Christchurch has seen an 85% reduction in “Scope 1” emissions, direct emissions from all airport activities, since 2015 and plans are underway to reduce “Scope 2” emissions, which is made up of purchased electricity, as well as influencing emissions reductions throughout its supply chain.

In a press release, the airport said: “It is important to us to do our part while also sharing what we learn, which is why we have an ‘open source’ sustainability approach to share our journey with other airports, businesses and interested groups. Climate action requires us all to get on board, so we invite everyone in our network to consider joining Christchurch Airport in the Race to Zero.”