Six businesses at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and an airport-owned facility have recently been recognized for their commitment to sustainability by achieving certification through the Los Angeles Green Business Program. These businesses join Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) in demonstrating a substantial commitment to creating a more environmentally friendly future within the aviation industry.
The certified businesses at VNY are Aeroplex/Aerolease Group, Castle & Cooke Aviation, Clay Lacy Aviation, Helinet Aviation, Jet Aviation, and Signature Flight Support. Additionally, LAWA's Airport Administration Building has also earned certification.
Businesses in the Green Business Program receive free consulting to implement the environmental standards set forth by the California Green Business Network effectively. These standards are designed to aid businesses in minimizing their environmental impact by reducing water and energy consumption, adopting environmentally friendly products, and implementing waste-reduction practices.
Doug Webster, Interim Chief Operations and Maintenance Officer at Los Angeles World Airports, stated, "Airports worldwide are engaging in initiatives to transform the aviation industry, and Van Nuys Airport is proud to lead the way. This milestone achievement demonstrates our tenants' dedication to addressing the climate crisis while continuing to provide vital economic benefits and life-saving services to our community."
Through their certification, VNY tenants and LAWA are now part of a network of over 4,000 certified California Green Businesses, all working towards significant environmental outcomes. These include mitigating over 400,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, diverting 100,000 metric tons of waste from landfills, and safely eliminating over 20,000 gallons of hazardous waste. Furthermore, the collective efforts of the network have resulted in more than $18 million in utility bill savings through effective water and energy conservation measures.
The Los Angeles Green Business Program is just one of the initiatives embraced by VNY in support of LAWA's Sustainability Action Plan. Aligned with the City of Los Angeles' vision for a sustainable city, the plan sets ambitious goals, including achieving 100% carbon neutrality in airport operations by 2045.
Additionally, VNY stands out as one of the few general aviation airports worldwide to earn Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation from Airports Council International. It is an early adopter of sustainable aviation and unleaded aviation fuels and leads in solar energy generation within the industry. Airport businesses are also actively supporting zero-waste and stormwater mitigation programs while transitioning to electric-powered ground support equipment.
"The Green Business Program reflects Van Nuys Airport's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint across diverse operations," Webster added. "We attribute our success to working in close partnership with airport businesses, who are propelling sustainability strategies forward and setting the standard for the entire general aviation industry."