The City of Phoenix Aviation Department announced that Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT) and Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR) have, for the first time, been awarded Level 3 status in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program for the reporting year 2024.
The Level 3 accreditation recognizes DVT and GYR for each of their efforts in gathering and verifying emissions data, supporting long-term carbon management planning as part of the Aviation Department’s Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon, and for their successful collaboration with a wide range of airport stakeholders that included fixed-base operators and tenants.
“Achieving Level 3 accreditation for our general aviation airports, Deer Valley and Goodyear, marks a significant step in the Department’s commitment to sustainability across our entire airport system,” said City of Phoenix Aviation Director Chad Makovsky.
To achieve Level 3 accreditation, both airports completed energy audits to identify high-impact conservation opportunities and applied a series of measurable initiatives to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability. Examples include:
- Energy Efficiency Improvements
Installing high-efficiency motors and LED lighting, and upgrading system control to reduce more than 500 tons of carbon emissions.
- Clean Transportation Expansion
Transitioning to electric vehicles and equipment, and installing charging infrastructure to reduce fossil fuel use.
- Renewable Energy Development
Continuing progress toward installing on-site solar arrays designed to generate clean power and provide shaded parking areas.
- Utilization of Cleaner Power Sources
Expanding each airport’s use of renewable energy from sources available through the regional power grid to further lower carbon emissions.
With more than 630 airports accredited worldwide through the ACA program, DVT and GYR have officially joined Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in the program. Phoenix Sky Harbor renewed its certification at Level 4 for reporting year 2024 and has held this accreditation since 2021, making Phoenix one of the few U.S. cities with multiple airports recognized for carbon management.
The DVT and GYR airports are owned and operated by the City of Phoenix Aviation Department. DVT is the busiest general aviation airport in the U.S. and serves private, corporate and training flights. GYR is located in the West Valley city of Goodyear and supports private, corporate and training operations.
All three Phoenix airports were formally recognized for their achievements at the ACI Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition held in Toronto in October. (See photo at top)
