Environmental

Environmental

We aim to operate our airport in a safe, secure and environmentally sound manner that reduces our impact on the natural world. We do this by implementing our Sustainability Management Program (SMP) which is one of the initiatives listed within our Organizational Strategic Plan. The SMP sets goals and stand-alone strategies to be achieved by 2035 in seven programmatic areas including energy, water, waste, greenhouse gases and climate resilience, and biodiversity.

IN THIS SECTION:

Achieving Carbon Neutrality

 
Goals
  • Minimize the Authority’s direct operational impact on climate change (Sustainability Management Program, Climate Neutrality Plan)
  • Minimize the Authority’s direct operational impact on local air quality (Sustainability Management Program, Climate Neutrality Plan)
  • Help airport partners minimize their impact on climate change (Sustainability Management Program, Climate Neutrality Plan)

In 2020, San Diego International Airport (SAN) renewed its Carbon Neutrality certification with Airport Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program. In 2019, SAN became the first airport in California, and second in North America, to achieve ACA Level 3+ “Carbon Neutrality” certification for airport-controlled emissions. Carbon neutrality, an accomplishment imperative to reducing our impact on climate change, is made possible by consistently measuring emissions performance, taking meaningful action to reduce emissions and environmental impact, and engaging with third parties to do the same.

21%

Decrease in Authority’s direct GHG emissions in 2020 compared to 2019

In 2020, the Airport Authority’s direct GHG emissions decreased by 21 percent compared to 2019. This reduction in emissions can be attributed to a significant reduction in overall operations at the airport but also energy efficiency initiatives. When looking at total airport-wide emissions, which are predominantly outside of the Authority’s direct control, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 54 percent, mainly due to fewer aircraft and ground transportation operations at SAN. With a 63 percent decrease in passengers in 2020 compared to 2019, emissions on a per-passenger basis increased 25 percent despite the significant reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions.

The Airport Authority aims to minimize the airport’s impact on local air quality and continues to monitor the region’s air quality using San Diego Air Pollution Control District (APCD) data. The Sherman Elementary School monitoring station, installed in 2019, will provide local data for the Airport into the future. In 2020, the local 8-hour concentration for ozone increased 21 percent because of an active fire season in the region and state. Also in 2020, the APCD submitted San Diego County’s portion of a State Implementation Plan that describes how the region will further reduce air pollutant emissions. The plan provided a general conformity budget for the airport of 1.756 tons per day of nitrogen oxides and 0.141 tons per day of volatile organic compounds. Through modeling analyses, the airport does not expect to exceed these limits in the future.

Alaska Airlines adopts SAN’s Good Traveler Program

The Good Traveler Program, a carbon offset program that got its start at San Diego International Airport, is now partnering with Alaska Airlines. Serving more than 115 destinations, Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, now provide travelers with a tool to reduce their environmental footprint. By partnering with the Good Traveler Program, Alaska Airlines helps travelers balance out the environmental impact of their flight. To date, The Good Traveler has offset more than 667 million miles of travel and removed over 229 million pounds of carbon dioxide by investing in projects that keep greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere.

Data Chart(s)
1GRI Environmental 305-1,2 & 3: Greenhouse Gas Emissions*
CY 2016** CY 2017** CY 2018** CY 2019 CY 2020
Direct (Scope 1) 4,571 4,305 4,590 4,417 2,719
Indirect (Scope 2) 13,880 9,812 4,023 1,273 1,800
Total Scopes 1 & 2 (Authority-Controlled Emissions) 18,451 14,117 8,613 5,690 4,519
Scopes 1 & 2 Change from Previous Year -0.3% -23.5% -39.0% -33.9% -20.6%
Other Indirect (Scope 3) 324,039 348,543 397,359 412,158 187,276
Total Scopes 1, 2 & 3 342,490 362,660 405,972 417,848 191,795
Scopes 1, 2 & 3 Change from Previous Year 13.5% 5.9% 11.9% 2.9% -54.1%
Passengers 20,729,353 22,173,493 24,240,864 25,216,947 9,238,882
GHG Use Intensity (MT/Passenger) 0.0165 0.0164 0.0167 0.0166 0.0208
*Values listed in Metric Tons and based on calendar year. Data is always one year behind. ACA certificiation is done in June of each year for the prior year; includes disclosure 305-5 Reduction of GHG Emissions
**2016-2018 emissions were revised per 3rd party verification
2GRI Environmental AO5: Ambient Air Quality According to Pollutant Concentration by Regulatory Regime*
*Values listed in parts per million (ppm).
**CY2013 - CY2016 data from Downtown monitoring station.
***CY17 and CY18 data from Kearny Villa Road station.
****NS - station not sampled for compound.
*****Starting with CY19, reporting data from new Downtown monitoring station Sherman Elementary School (not a complete year; Ozone monitoring began at Sherman on July 16, 2019).
****** Higher ozone values in 2020 were related to the smoke from the fires (not just the fires in San Diego, but also smoke that traveled down from the fires north of San Diego for an extended period time).
For reference, download the report from the APCD website Current Air Quality

Click Here to access our full list of GRI data tables and charts

In anticipation of the New T1, our Environmental Impact Report for the project established mitigation measures that reduce emissions and bolster our commitment to the sustainable growth of SAN. These mitigation measures will be crucial to ensuring a sustainable, environmentally responsible build-out of the New T1—a much-needed project that will help SAN accommodate passenger volumes and improve the customer experience. Future mitigation measures include the conversion of ground support equipment to alternative fuels, increasing renewable electricity use on campus, utilizing cool roofs, pursuing LEED silver or higher certification for new buildings, providing clean vehicle parking and electric vehicle chargers, encouraging clean commercial ground transportation vehicles, electrifying fleet vehicles, facilitating active transportation like biking and improving regional transit connections to the Airport.

Serving as Water Stewards

 
Goals
  • Reduce potable water use especially for non-potable purposes (Sustainability Management Program, Water Stewardship Plan)
  • [Collect or infiltrate 75% of the Airport property’s area stormwater] (Sustainability Management Program, Water Stewardship Plan)

37million

Fewer gallons of potable water used by the Authority in 2020 compared to 2019

SAN is committed to reducing water consumption, creatively utilizing onsite water resources, and improving stormwater quality. In 2020, the Airport used 37 million fewer gallons of potable water than the previous year, mainly due to a decline of passengers in the terminals. Therefore, the overall demand for facilities such as toilets, sinks, water fountains, and concession kitchens was reduced. While the significant reduction in passengers meant less water consumed overall, water use intensity, or water use per passenger, increased by 56 percent.

Stormwater harvesting and infiltration are important strategies in our water stewardship efforts, but both depend on the rainfall the airport campus receives. In 2020, there was a 49 percent reduction from the previous year in the amount of stormwater captured and reused at SAN due to less rainfall. Approximately 11 percent of the airport site drains to infiltration beds or capture cisterns but this amount is expected to significantly increase in the future through the New T1 development.

In 2020, stormwater quality exceedances occurred in 8 percent of the stormwater runoff samples, which is slightly higher than 2019 levels, but still significantly lower than the average annual percentage of 24 percent over the last nine years. In 2020 there were nine fuel spills, and three waste spills, totaling 95 gallons and representing a 43 percent decrease from the previous year. All spills were immediately cleaned up and there were no accidental discharges of spilled materials into the airport’s storm drain system. The Airport Authority remains committed to preventing, eliminating, and reducing the discharge of polluted stormwater into the surrounding environment and San Diego Bay and will do so by preventing and responding to spills, enforcing best management practices, and implementing its Stormwater Management Plan.

Capturing More Stormwater

Stormwater capture and reuse systems allow the Airport Authority to meet regulatory requirements, reduce potable water consumption, and improve resilience to future climate and regulatory changes. In 2020, the construction of a three-million-gallon stormwater capture and reuse cistern was completed on the north side of campus. When fully functional, the system will collect approximately 16 million gallons of stormwater runoff annually from approximately 80 acres. A portion of that reused water is intended for washing rental cars at the Rental Car Center in the future. By capturing, treating, and reusing the rain that falls on parts of our airport campus, we do our part to help keep San Diego sustainable and resilient.

Data Chart(s)
1GRI Environmental 303-3: Water Withdrawal & 303-5: Water Consumption*
CY 2016 CY 2017 CY 2018 CY 2019 CY 2020
Total Water Withdrawal 89,864,720 82,351,808 94,138,044 85,534,468 48,791,292
Passengers 20,725,801 22,156,493 24,238,300 25,216,947 9,238,882
Water Withdrawal per Passenger 4.34 3.72 3.90 3.39 5.28
On-site capture and reuse CY 2016 CY 2017 CY 2018 CY 2019 CY 2020
Terminal 2 Parking Plaza System N/A N/A 380,400 1,850,716 936,715
*Includes disclosure 303-1 Interactions with water as a shared resource
**Values listed in gallons and based on calendar years. Baseline water use in 2008 was approximately 88,485,400 gallons.
2GRI Environmental AO4: Stormwater Quality
Pollutant of Concern (units) # of Analyses Benchmark Median Concentrations** # of Exceedances** Exceedance Frequency (%)
FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20
Ammonia-N (mg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 2 2.14 2.14 2.14 2.14 1.30 0.97 2.02 0.5441 1.67 11 3 14 1 17 18 5 26 1.4 30.3
BOD (mg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 30 30 30 30 30 16 27.19 46.30 15.49 20.48 7 17 16 9 9 11 28.3 29.0 12.7 16.1
COD (mg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 120 120 120 120 120 99 104.20 183.40 46.67 81.64 16 15 21 4 11 26 25 38 5.6 19.6
Specific Conductivity (µmhos/cm) 62 60 55 71 56 900 900 900 900 900 206 120.73 234.90 80.57 133.89 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 0
Oil & Grease (mg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 15 15 15 15 15 1 1.28 1.618 ND 1.46 - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
pH (pH Units) 62 60 55 71 56 6.0-9.0 6.0-9.0 6.0-9.1 6.0-9.0 6.0-9.1 8 7.98 7.8209 7.95 7.97 5 1 1 1 1 5 1.7 1.8 1.4 1.8
TSS (mg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 100 100 100 100 100 49 33.09 46.3 20.34 24.65 6 4 6 1 3 10 6.7 10.9 1.4 5.3
Aluminum, Total (µg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 750 750 750 750 750 395 652.6 667.00 359.8 273.0 8 19 14 13 4 13 31.7 25.5 18.3 7.1
Copper, Total (µg/L) 62 61 55 71 56 33 33 33 33 33.2 117 97.5 128.30 47.28 57.14 40 39 - 30 36 65 63.9 74.5 15.7 64.3
Copper, Dissolved (µg/L) 62 61 55 70 56 33 33 33 33 33.2 84 48.4 229.00 22.84 34.35 47 20 30 11 20 76 32.8 54.5 42.3 35.7
Iron, Total (µg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 1,000 1,000 1,000 1 1,000 367 263.1 806.00 0.933 881 5 3 7 6 7 8 5 13 9 12.5
Lead, Total (µg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 262 262 262 262 262 2 4.021 3.77 1.757 2.707 - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Lead, Dissolved (µg/L) - 60 55 70 56 - 262 262 262 262 - 0.643 0.45 0.2631 0.708 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Zinc, Total (µg/L) 62 61 55 71 56 260 260 260 260 260 257 263.6 496.00 178.7 220.29 16 22 23 9 20 26 36.1 - 22.5 35.7
Zinc, Dissolved (µg/L) 62 61 55 70 56 260 260 260 260 260 198 158.6 361.40 117.4 133.12 12 13 19 16 9 19 21.3 34.5 12.9 16.1
Ethylene glycol (mg/L) 4 4 5 5 4 140 140 140 140 140 0 ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MBAS (mg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 1 15 15 0.5 0.5 0 0.11192 0.16 - 0.1 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arsenic, Dissolved (µg/L) 29 32 30 33 23 150 150 150 150 150 2 0.821 1.09 0.5992 0.81 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arsenic, Total (µg/L) 29 32 30 33 23 150 150 150 150 150 2 1.19 2.36 0.7888 1.13 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cadmium, Dissolved (µg/L) 62 60 55 70 56 5 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.3 1 1.277 1.12 0.3297 0.59 1 1 2 0 0 2 1.7 3.6 0 0
Cadmium, Total (µg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 5 5 5 5.3 5.3 1 1.657 1.55 0.5222 0.75 1 1 5 0 0 2 1.7 9.1 0 0
Chromium III, Dissolved (µg/L) 62 60 55 70 56 1,700 1,700 1,700 1,700 1,700 1 0.936 0.87 0.359 0.645 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chromium III, Total (µg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 550 550 550 550 550 2 2.608 2.34 1.062 1.278 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chromium VI, Dissolved (µg/L) 62 60 55 70 56 16 16 16 16 16 ND 0.524 0.53 0.391 0.398 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Chromium VI, Total (µg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 16 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 ND 0.670 0.67 0.448 0.563 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Chromium, Dissolved (µg/L) 62 60 55 70 56 50 50 50 50 50 2 1.320 1.31 0.669 1.067 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chromium, Total (µg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 50 50 50 50 50 4 3.143 2.97 1.472 1.878 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nickel, Dissolved (µg/L) 62 60 55 70 56 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 3 3.002 7.40 1.505 2.144 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nickel, Total (µg/L) 62 60 55 71 56 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 4 4.185 9.54 2.243 2.936 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Acenaphthene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 970 970 970 970 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Acenaphthylene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Anthracene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Benzo (a) anthracene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Benzo (a) pyrene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Benzo (a) fluoranthene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Benzo (g,h,i) perylene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 30 30 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Benzo (k) fluoranthene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Chrysene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Dibenzo (a,h) anthracene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Fluoranthene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 42 42 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Fluorene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Naphthalene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 2,350 2,350 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Phenanthrene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Pyrene (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 300 300 300 300 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Chordane (µg/L) - 52 55 71 43 - 0.09 0.09 0.09 0.09 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
PCB-1016 (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
PCB-1221 (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
PCB-1232 (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
PCB-1242 (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 - ND 0.38 ND ND - 0 1 0 0 - 0 2 0 0
PCB-1248 (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
PCB-1254 (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
PCB-1260 (µg/L) - 60 55 71 55 - 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 - ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0
Diesel Range Organics (C10-C24) (mg/L) 62 60 55 71 55 0.056-0.14 0.056-0.14 0.056-0.15 0.056-0.14 0.056-0.15 ND ND ND ND ND - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jet-A (mg/L) 62 60 55 71 55 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 0.3758 1.01 0.453 0.425 - 13 20 22 16 0 21.7 36.4 31.0 29.1
Oil Range Organics (C22-C36) (mg/L) 62 60 55 71 55 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 0.2401 0.52 0.2268 0.1530 3 9 15 13 3 5 15 27 18 5.4
Total Coliforms (CFU/100 mL) 24 24 25 26 20 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 2,392 1,630 3870.00 2,377 7,653 11 17 10 11 17 46 70.8 40.0 42.3 80
Fecal Coliforms (CFU/100 mL) 24 24 25 26 20 200 200 200 200 200 772 196.5 614.00 247 403.35 6 7 8 9 9 25 29.2 32.0 34.6 45
Enterococcus (CFU/100 mL) 24 24 25 26 20 276 276 276 276 276 947 794 1013.00 986 2,735.5 8 15 18 15 16 34 62.5 72.0 57.7 80
Average Exceedance Frequency - - - - 12 8 9 6 8
*ND= data is not detected
Data reported for fiscal year.
3GRI Environmental AO6: Aircraft and Pavement De-icing/Anti-icing Fluid Used and Treated*
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Fluid Type Type-I Type-IV Type-I Type-IV Type-I Type-IV Type-I Type-IV Type-I Type-IV
Quantity Used (cubic meters) 0.09 0 0.47 0 0.19 0 0.15 0 0.09 0
Percentage Captured 90% 0 90% 0 90% 0 90% 0 90% 0
Percentage Evaporated 10% 0 10% 0 10% 0 10% 0 10% 0
*Data reported for fiscal year.
4GRI Environmental 306-3: Significant Spills*
Fuel Spills FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Number 7 46 22 17 9
Volume 330 456 213 104 71
Waste Spills FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Number 4 5 2 6 3
Volume 8 43 30 32 24
*Volumes listed in gallons. Data reported for fiscal year. Note that these are not discharges to the stormwater conveyance system.

Click Here to access our full list of GRI data tables and charts

As operations increase going forward, Airport Authority staff will look at water efficiency opportunities in terminal infrastructure, the Central Utility Plant’s cooling towers and the Airport’s irrigation system. Additionally, achieving the Airport Authority’s stormwater management goals will require the implementation of a larger stormwater capture and reuse system. SAN currently has four existing elements of stormwater capture and reuse and, as part of the New T1 project, four additional elements are proposed including new underground storage tanks, parking structure capture and reuse and underground infiltration beds and storage.

Pursuing Energy Efficiency & Innovation

 
Goals
  • Reduce Energy Use – Promote a culture of energy efficiency and conservation through quantifiable metrics (Sustainability Management Program, Strategic Energy Plan)
  • Reduce Cost for Energy – Achieve energy goals in a financially responsible and feasible way (Sustainability Management Program, Strategic Energy Plan)
  • Reduce GHG Emissions – Use low carbon energy to achieve zero net GHG emissions in facility operations (Sustainability Management Program, Strategic Energy Plan)
  • Increase Resiliency - Incorporate energy resilience into planning and operations while deploying a robust, innovative, and cost-effective energy program that fully supports Airport Operations (Sustainability Management Program, Strategic Energy Plan)

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority uses its Strategic Energy Plan to rethink energy resource management and prepare for and accommodate passenger growth, infrastructure development, and a changing climate. Our energy independence, enhanced operational resilience, and carbon neutrality all depend on the airport’s commitment to energy efficiency and innovation.

86%

Percentage of electricity consumed at the airport in 2020 that came from renewable sources

A reduction of energy consumption within the organization is key to reducing costs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing resilience. In 2020, total energy use and energy use intensity per square foot reduced by 15 percent. This reduction can be attributed to reduced flight operations and therefore less demand for pre-conditioned air, ground power, bag carousels and other terminal operations that are heavy users of electricity. Additionally, Airport Authority staff responded to fewer passengers by reducing escalator and infrastructure use, adjusting indoor temperatures in the terminals, and completing energy efficiency projects such as a chilled water optimization project at the Central Utility Plant and lighting retrofits in Terminal 2 East.

An important element in our Sustainability Management Program is the use of renewable energy. In 2020, 86 percent of the electricity consumed at the Airport came from renewable sources—the highest percentage to date. The percent of solar electricity generated on site increased by 3 percent in 2020 to represent 18 percent of San Diego International Airport’s (SAN) total electricity consumed. Using renewable energy to power the airport reduces the region’s dependence on fossil fuels and therefore reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, using onsite generated electricity reduces demand and stress on the regional power grid.

New Battery Storage System Installed

Deploying robust, innovative, and cost-effective energy infrastructure at San Diego International Airport will help us reach our goals. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the Airport Authority pursued the construction of a 2 MW /4 MWh battery energy storage system that will allow us to reduce peak demand charges and make the best use of the airport’s 5.5 MW of onsite solar PV. The system can store any excess solar electricity produced onsite during the day and can use the electricity later in the day when solar production is low and electricity demand is high. The system is also anticipated to charge during the night when energy costs are low, and discharge to reduce grid-delivered electricity demand at key parts of the day to reduce our energy bills. The battery energy storage system, which is anticipated to be online at the end of 2021, is described as a cost containment strategy within the Strategic Energy Plan.

Data Chart(s)
1GRI Environmental 302-1: Energy Consumption within the Organization*
CY 2016 CY 2017 CY 2018 CY 2019 CY 2020
Natural Gas Consumption (MMBtu) 42,879 43,663 48,052 54,193 45,869
Solar Consumption (MMBtu) 18,044 27,099 29,488 29,371 29,252
Electricity Consumption (MMBtu) 176,059 165,734 167,869 163,404 134,082
Total Energy Use 236,982 236,496 245,409 246,968 209,203
SAN-Specific Measurements CY 2016 CY 2017 CY 2018 CY 2019 CY 2020
Energy Use Intensity (Mbtu/SF) 91 90.59 92 92.7 78.6
Passengers 20,725,801 22,156,493 24,238,300 25,216,947 9,238,882
Energy Use Intensity (Mbtu/Passenger)** 11.43 10.67 10.12 9.79 22.64
Percent Renewable Electricity (includes grid delivery and onsite) 44% 51% 85% (15% on site) 85% (15% on site) 86% (18% on site)
*Note that values may be different from previous sustainability report due to a difference in data collection methodology or other reason.
** This table includes disclosure 302-3 Energy Intensity
2GRI Environmental 302-4: Reduction of Energy Consumption*
CY 2016 CY 2017 CY 2018 CY 2019 CY 2020
Change in energy consumption from previous year 30,385 -486 8,913 1,559 -37,766
*Note that values may be different from previous sustainability report due to a difference in data collection methodology or other reason. Data reported for calendar year.

Click Here to access our full list of GRI data tables and charts

As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and meet expected passenger growth, energy demand at the airport will likely increase and energy efficiency and innovation will thus prove even more important to the Airport Authority reaching its strategic energy goals. One project aimed at addressing these challenges is the enrollment into San Diego Community Power, a community choice aggregation program that will provide SAN with up to 100 percent of grid-delivered renewable electricity by the end of 2021. This program will help the Airport Authority go above and beyond meeting its goal of powering all new buildings affiliated with the future Terminal 1 development with 100 percent renewable energy.

 

On The Road to Clean, Accessible Transportation

 
Goals
  • Develop a plan for transportation to and at the airport that anticipates and responds to technological changes (Sustainability Management Program, Customer Strategy)
  • Move Toward a Zero-Emission Fleet – Minimize the Airport’s reliance on fossil fuels for Authority fleet vehicles and equipment (Sustainability Management Program, Clean Transportation Plan)
  • Provide Fueling Infrastructure for Low Emission vehicles – Provide enabling infrastructure for electric and other alternative fuel vehicles used by employees, passengers, and tenants (Sustainability Management Program, Clean Transportation Plan)
  • Minimize Impact of Ground Transportation Operators – Incentivize adoption of low carbon strategies by ground transportation operators (Sustainability Management Program, Clean Transportation Plan)
  • Support Emissions Reduction by Third Parties – Encourage and help propel reduction in air emissions from airline, tenant, contractor, and construction vehicles and equipment (Sustainability Management Program, Clean Transportation Plan)

70%

Percentage of the Authority’s fleet powered by alternatively fuels

Transportation to SAN needs to be clean, accessible, and flexible to future needs and technological changes. Currently, about 1 percent of passengers utilize public transportation to access SAN. The majority of passengers use private vehicles to get to and from the airport, but in recent years there has been an increase in the number of passengers choosing rideshare, which utilize pooling and rematching to reduce vehicle trips. Airport Authority is working with other regional agencies to improve transit connectivity to the airport in the future. As part of the New T1, the Authority is planning for a transit-ready area that would connect SAN to the region’s transit system.

Additionally, the vehicles and transportation methods used to operate the airport by staff, tenants, and vendors also influence our environmental impact. The Airport Authority is pushing toward a zero-emission fleet for both our own vehicles and those of our third-party operators. This is to reduce the airport’s reliance on fossil fuels and to reduce carbon emissions. In 2020, nearly 70 percent of the Airport Authority’s fleet was alternatively fueled. Additionally, the Airport Authority’s equipment, such as off-road vehicles, was 44 percent alternative fuel. The 2020 Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Inventory showed that approximately 31 percent of the GSE at SAN, which is owned and operated by our airlines and their business partners, utilize low carbon fuels. To facilitate the further adoption of low carbon strategies, the Airport Authority and its partners are pursuing the possibility of renewable diesel for airside equipment while building out electric vehicle charging stations.

In connecting SAN to the region, the Airport Authority remains committed to our partnership with SANDAG to improve transit connectivity in future years. Within the next year, the Authority will begin providing a fixed route shuttle service from the Old Town Trolley Station to the airport terminals via electric shuttle buses as an alternative low carbon way for employees and passengers to utilize public transit when coming to the airport.

En Route to Zero Waste

 
Goals
  • Reduce waste generation – Reduce the amount of material discarded per employee and passenger (Sustainability Management Program, Zero Waste Plan)
  • Increase waste diverted from landfill – meet or exceed the city and state waste diversion targets and timeframes (Sustainability Management Program, Zero Waste Plan)

The Airport Authority aims to both reduce the amount of material discarded per employee and passenger and to increase the amount of material we divert from the landfill. In 2020, the total volume of solid waste material collected decreased by 58 percent, which roughly corresponds to the 64 percent decrease in passengers we served (0.61 pounds of landfilled waste per passenger). When including construction and demolition waste, the airport’s total diversion rate in 2020 was 85 percent. When not including construction and demolition waste, the airport’s total diversion rate in 2020 was 30 percent, which is a 2 percent increase from the prior year.

85%

Percentage of total waste diverted from area landfills in 2020

Certified hazardous waste disposal increased in 2020 by 124 percent compared to the previous year, mostly due to a hydrant fueling line project that pulled burn ash out of the ground. This material was properly disposed of by transporting it to a special waste disposal site. The hydrant fueling line project will allow aircraft to fuel at their gates without the need for heavy-duty fuel trucks, and therefore, when completed, will reduce vehicle emissions associated with airport operations.

Data Chart(s)
1GRI Environmental 301: Materials & 306: Waste*
CY 2016 CY 2017 CY 2018*** CY 2019**** CY 2020*****
Construction & Demolition Debris Recycling** 17,715 14,017 45,743 58,063 17,573
Recycling 1,344 1,372 1,532 1,888 843
Landfill 4,314 4,664 5,352 4,872 1,963
Total Non-Hazardous 23,373 20,053 52,627 64,823 20,379
Certified Hazardous Waste Disposal 230 148 89 250 561
Total Waste 23,603 20,201 52,716 65,073 20,940
*Prior to 2019 this table was titled "306-2: Waste by type & waste by disposal method & 306-4 Transport of hazardous waste". This table includes data for the following topic-specific disclosures: 301-1 Materials Used; 301-2 Recycled Input Material; 306-2 Waste by type and disposal method; 306-4 Transport of hazardous waste
**Values listed in standard tons. All hazardous waste is handled by a certified hazardous waste contractor and disposed of in accordance with pertinent regulations. Totals do not include waste from international flights, which are disposed of separately per federal regulations.
***Corrections were made to CY2018 changes to the data was provided at a later date by waste hauler.
****2019 Certified Hazardous Waste Disposal report is unavailable as of spring 2020.
****2019 Certified Hazardous Waste Disposal report was not available at the time of the 2019 report.
*****Increase in the certified hazardous waste disposal is due to the Hydrant Fueling Line Project and the burn ash that was transported to Copper Mountain.

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Two new solid waste facilities are scheduled to open in May and June of 2022. These facilities will provide airport operators the ability to recycle materials like wood, metal, food waste, cardboard, and commingled recycling on a larger scale. Facilities were “right-sized” for future passenger projections and terminal/concession spaces and they will serve as critical infrastructure for achieving SAN’s zero waste goals in the future.

Protecting Biodiversity at the Airport

 
Goals
  • Work with state and federal wildlife agencies to address operational growth and California Least Tern habitat management (Organizational Strategic Plan, Operations Strategy)
  • Maintain wildlife in a manner that is compatible with Airport operations (Sustainability Management Program, Biodiversity Plan)
  • Incorporate IPM techniques to control pest populations in a manner that promotes environmental stewardship, and public health and safety, while maintaining Airport Operations (Sustainability Management Program, Biodiversity Plan)

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California Least Tern nests documented on the airfield in 2020

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority strives to maintain wildlife in a manner that is compatible with airport operations by incorporating techniques to control pest populations, minimize most bird activity and protect local endangered species. In 2020, the Airport Authority decreased its use of chemical pesticides by 3.2 percent from 2019. At SAN, contractors utilize integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to prevent food, shelter and water from attracting unwanted critters. IPM techniques control pest populations in a manner that promotes environmental stewardship and public health and safety while maintaining airport operations. Additionally, in 2020 the number of wildlife strikes per 10,000 aircraft decreased by 34 percent. All new facilities will include bird deterrents to help reduce their presence onsite.

SAN’s southeast side of the runway serves as one of the region’s protected nesting areas for the endangered California Least Tern (CLT). Each year, the California Least Tern chooses to return to SAN to lay eggs and raise its chicks. The Airport Authority remains committed to working with state and federal wildlife agencies to preserve and protect this habitat and the small endangered species that call it home. In 2020, the amount of CLT habitat preserved and actively managed by the Airport Authority remained the same. In 2020, SAN documented a total of six nests, a low amount that reflects the impacts of regionwide stressors like a lack of small fish prey.

Data Chart(s)
1GRI Social AO9: Wildlife Strikes*
N/A FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Strikes* 1.93 1.38 0.80 1.05 0.69
*Annually, per 10,000 aircraft movements.
2GRI Environmental 304-3: Habitats Protected or Restored*
Habitat CY 2016 CY 2017 CY 2018 CY 2019 CY 2020
Protected* 13.50 13.50 13.50 13.50 13.50
Restored 0 0 0 0 0
*Values listed in acres. Approximately 13.5 acres spread over across 20 acres of airfield ovals (previously reported at 20.24 acres protected)

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Building Resilience for Future Climate Conditions

 
Goals
  • Reduce risks associated with climate change to ensure business continuity and to maintain a quality passenger experience (Sustainability Management Program, Climate Resilience Plan)
  • Integrate Climate resilience into Airport Operations and development decisions (Sustainability Management Program, Climate Resilience Plan)

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is working to integrate climate resilience into airport operations and development decisions to reduce risk and ensure business continuity. The Airport Authority’s Climate Resilience Plan provides the authority’s strategy for achieving uninterrupted business continuity in future climate conditions. The plan builds off existing initiatives ranging from improving stormwater drainage and collaborating with regional stakeholders to exploring large-scale coastal flood protection strategies. All capital projects are reviewed to ensure their resilience for future climate conditions.

The Airport Authority has begun the data collection process for pursuing RELi accreditation on a future facility at San Diego International Airport — the new Authority Admin Building. After an evaluation by the Planning & Environmental Affairs Department, this building was selected as the best candidate to use this rating system that ensures facilities are constructed and operated in a resilient manner. To pursue this certification in the future, special focus will be directed towards hazard-specific design criteria, sea-level-rise, preparedness, resilience strategies, and energy efficiency in the design and construction phases.

Doing Our Part to Address Aircraft Noise

 
Goals
  • Continue to focus on programs to reduce noise impacts (Organizational Strategic Plan, Community Strategy)

For more than 30 years, the Airport Authority has had a Noise Compatibility Program known as “Part 150” (a reference to the section of the Code of Federal Regulations on which it’s based) which guides the Airport Authority’s Quieter Home Program and various other efforts to minimize aircraft noise in 10 noise-impacted San Diego communities. The Part 150 studies typically consist of two primary components: (1) the Noise Exposure Map report which contains detailed information regarding existing and five-year future aircraft noise exposure, and (2) the Noise Compatibility Program which includes recommendations to reduce aircraft noise impacts based on evaluations of noise abatement and noise mitigation options/programs applicable to an airport.

To update the Study, the Airport Authority conducted 14 public meetings which included input from the community, the Airport Noise Advisory Committee (ANAC), and Technical and Citizen Advisory Committee (TCAC) members. More than 30 alternatives were evaluated with 17 recommendations presented as feasible since they did not impact safety or create any new noise impacts.

ANAC accepted the Part 150 Study Update on May 5, 2021 and forwarded it to the Airport Authority Board of Directors, which authorized Airport Authority President and CEO Kim Becker to submit it to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review. If the updates are approved by the FAA, SAN may receive federal funding to help the Airport Authority implement the Noise Compatibility Program and its associated noise mitigation and abatement programs.

Airport Authority Receives Record Grant Funding for Noise Abatement

In 2020, the Airport Authority invested $14.2 million to insulate nearby residences from aircraft noise through the Quieter Home Program. This community investment was made possible in part through FAA grants awarded to the Airport Authority. On September 1, 2020, SAN was awarded $18 million in two airport safety and infrastructure grants through the FAA for noise mitigation measures.

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Public meetings held to gather input on the Part 150 noise study

The $18 million in grants marks the largest annual amount given to SAN by the FAA for the Quieter Home Program. Primarily, the funds will go towards sound-insulating approximately 200 to 400 homes per year, depending on the size of the home, in the areas most impacted by aircraft noise. For the first time since implementing the Quieter Home Program, the Airport Authority will also start a non-residential program to sound insulate noise-sensitive properties such as schools and places of worship.

Data Chart(s)
1GRI Economic 201-4: Significant Financial Assistance Received from Government
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Build America Bond Interest Rebate $4,700,000 $4,700,000 $4,700,000 $4,700,000 $2,100,000
CARES Act Grant* N/A N/A N/A N/A $36,900,000
Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grants $10,500,000 $1,900,000 $13,300,000 $8,200,000 $4,100,000
Quieter Home Program $8,600,000 $1,400,000 $8,400,000 $11,600,000 $12,200,000
Total $23,800,000 $8,000,000 $26,400,000 $24,500,000 $55,300,000
*Utilized CARES Act funding; not representative of total grants received
2GRI Economic 203-1: Development and Impact of Infrastructure Investments and Services Supported
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Quieter Home Program $12,300,000 $2,200,000 $11,100,000 14,700,000 $15,500,000
3GRI Environmental AO7: People Residing in Areas Affected by Noise*
FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
People 14,052 14,759 16,580 13,316 5,585
Percent Change from the Previous Year 23.6% 5.0% 12.3% -19.7% -58.1%
*Methodology has changed due to: 1) Improvements to the AEDT model, which generates the noise contours. The improvements provided more accurate noise profiles for many aircraft operating into SDIA. 2) Population count methodology was improved to use more accurate data along with Census data. It should be noted, as new census data is available, it will be used in this report.

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The Airport Authority submitted the Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update to the FAA on June 10, 2021. The FAA will review the recommendations and provide the Airport Authority a record of the decision. In the meantime, the Airport Authority will continue with the existing program in place.

Yes, we compost!

Wondering where all of SAN's food scraps end up? We compost approximately 350 tons of food waste per year. Learn about how the airport reduces greenhouse gas emissions and diverts waste from entering the landfill by composting.