SFO’s #Take50 Earth Day Challenge

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As an airport, SFO has a responsibility to care for the surrounding communities. Whether it be in the face of a public health crisis or in the face of climate change, SFO will continue its part to help flatten the curve. And while we continue to prioritize SFO’s pandemic response, we also look to honor of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day by recognizing the immediate and long-lasting impacts that climate change has on our global community. 

SFO’s zero goals equip not only our airport, but also every member of our community, to collectively combat climate change. The playbook is simple, and outlined in our new #TAKE50 Challenge - 50 actions over 50 weeks (1 per week) in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. Sign-up here to save resources and household costs, while improving your our planet’s health. 

SFO is leading the way to a net zero future. What actions will you take? 

Find your inspiration in the  #Take50 Actions document, or by watching this SFO crowdsourced #SustainabilityHacks video below. Together we can rise out of this crisis and address the next to sustain our collective future. 

While sheltering in place, SFO's Sustainability Reaching for Number One Committee found a way to honor and celebrate Earth Month and the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd. From their homes and yards, committee members share their top #SustainabilityHacks to help you and our community save cash, create healthier homes and support our shared planet. #SFOSustainabilityHacks
 

SFO’s Zero Milestones

SFO stands at the forefront of environmental action. We were the first airport in the world to set a “triple zero” goal – zero net energy, carbon neutrality and zero waste – and we are well on our way to achieving each, while modeling how to do so for the rest of the industry.  Our recent zero milestones include:

Zero Net Energy: 

  • Achieved 4.1% energy savings and 0.5% savings/sq. ft from a 2013 baseline. 
  • Certified our Airfield Operations Facility as the first zero net energy airport building in the world. 

Carbon Neutrality: 

  • Completed the procurement of 6 electric buses and 20 electric sedans. 
  • Completed the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Technical and Financial Feasibility Study and expanded SAF fuel deliveries through new airline and producer partnerships.

 
Zero Waste:

  • Deployed a Zero Waste Concessions Program, reducing wasteful single-use plastics by moving all tenants to 100% compostable food ware and recyclable or reusable water bottles.
  • Activated a new materials management pilot to yield a 73% diversion rate in focus areas.

Further, with Terminal 1’s next phase opening we’ll also add the following, as this building: 

  • Doubles SFO’s solar energy generation to ~3MW (BAB adds 1.75MW capacity).
  • Uses 70% less energy while accommodating 70% more passengers than former building.
  • Deploys an individual container system (ICS) baggage handling systems that uses ~50% less energy than a traditional system.
  • Activates regenerative (Self-energizing) elevators generate energy rather than wasting it as heat and a radiant heating and cooling displacement ventilation system for more energy efficiency and passenger comfort.
Sustainability