Sustainability
Gold Coast Airport is committed to advancing sustainability across the business, guided by Queensland Airports Limited’s (QAL) overarching vision to inspire a sustainable future. As part of the QAL group, we’re focused on delivering long-term, sustainable outcomes for our customers, partners and the communities in which we operate. These initiatives form part of a broader sustainability strategy designed to ensure Gold Coast Airport continues to grow responsibly while contributing to a more sustainable future for the region.
Biodiversity & Heritage
Gold Coast Airport sits on a site rich in natural beauty, home to wetlands, waterways, and native vegetation that provide habitat for a range of flora and fauna. The Cobaki Environment Precinct, which represents approximately 25 per cent of Gold Coast Airport’s 371-hectare Commonwealth lease area, is protected under the Master Plan for conservation.
This area plays a crucial role in protecting biodiversity, providing a natural buffer to the Cobaki Broadwater, and supporting local ecosystems. We have strong measures in place to protect native plants and animals, including monitoring programs and pest management.
Outside of the airport boundaries, we also actively manage two biodiversity offset sites in northern New South Wales, covering almost 120 hectares.
Climate
Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4 Transformation
Gold Coast Airport is accredited to Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4 Transformation until 30 June 2028. This means that we are committed to reducing our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in line with our owner, Queensland Airport Limited’s Net Zero 2030 target, and to working with our stakeholders to drive reductions in Scope 3 emissions. We measure our Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon footprint each year.
Net Zero 2030 target
Queensland Airports Limited has a Net Zero 2030 target to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 market-based emissions to zero by 2030. This is an absolute reductions commitment. We have a carbon management plan in place to achieve this target. A small quantity of offsets may be used to help achieve this target. Gold Coast Airport will play a significant role in achieving Queensland Airport Limited’s Net Zero 2030 target.
Renewable energy target
The owner and operator of Gold Coast Airport, Queensland Airports Limited, aims to use 80% renewable energy by 2025.
Renewable power purchase agreement
To support achievement of the Net Zero 2030 target and the renewable energy target, Gold Coast Airport’s electricity consumption is covered by a renewable purchase power agreement with CS Energy until the end of 2031. This agreement covers all electricity consumption at Gold Coast Airport, including the consumption of tenants who operate on our embedded networks (except for those tenants who have opted out). Around 95% of Gold Coast Airport’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 market-based emissions reduced to zero from the commencement of that agreement on 1 January 2025.
Current emission reduction priorities
Consistent with our carbon management plan and stakeholder partnership plan, we are working on emissions reduction priorities such as:
- Converting our fleet to hybrid and/or electric vehicles when commercially priced vehicles become available that meet our needs.
- Investigating the feasibility of introducing onsite solar and battery storage at Gold Coast Airport.
- Developing an electrification strategy, covering airside and landside electrification for Gold Coast Airport.
- Exploring opportunities to support the decarbonisation of aviation through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and electric, electric hybrid and hydrogen aircraft.
