Miami International Airport’s New Sustainability Initiatives and Major Upgrades

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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 the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA). The accreditation acknowledges MIA’s verified efforts in minimizing its carbon footprint and its ongoing commitment to enhance its climate objectives. The airport will receive its accreditation certificate on September 9 at the 2024 ACI-North American Annual Conference and Exhibition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Miami International Airport (MIA) is one of just two airports in Florida and four in the Southeastern United States to receive 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 The Climate Action Strategy. MIA aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. Its resilience goals include advancing from Level 1 ACA accreditation (Mapping) to Level 2 (Reduction). This progression involves measures like increasing contaminated soil removal, boosting recycling and waste reduction efforts, reducing electricity and fuel consumption, and using electric vehicles. Additionally, MIA is working towards achieving Level 1 accreditation for Miami-Dade County’s four general aviation airports.

This recognition from ACI World underscores MIA’s and Miami-Dade County’s leadership in global sustainability efforts. Remarkably, MIA achieved this accreditation while being the fastest-growing gateway airport in the U.S. in terms of airline seat capacity since the pandemic. The airport’s team has been lauded for their efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, significantly cutting down on fuel and electricity use.

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 substantial 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). This initiative, the largest of its kind in Florida and one of the largest in the eastern U.S., included $45 million in upgrades to energy-efficient lighting, domestic water systems, and HVAC systems, eliminating the use of R-22 refrigerant and mercury vapor. As a result, MIA is saving $3.2 million annually in electricity and water costs—equivalent to fueling 4,856 cars and filling 16 Olympic-sized pools each year until 2035.

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

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

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

Miami International Airport, the busiest airport in the United States for international freight 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) offers the highest number of flights to Latin America and the Caribbean among all U.S. airport and is a vital economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating $31.9 billion in business revenue and attracting approximately 60 percent of all international visitors to Florida annually.