Sustainability & Green Initiatives

The Authority has been a leader in sustainability efforts, constructing the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center as hub for rental cars and connecting passengers to bus and rail services. The airport also installed electric charging stations at all 14 aircraft gates allowing for airlines to use clean, electric aircraft support equipment.

Efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, integrate sustainability in its operations, and being responsive to community concerns all while providing economic benefits to the region have been the hallmark of the Airport Authority since its inception.

Sustainability

Our Commitment

As new facilities come online at the Airport, environmental sustainability is one of the top priorities. The Authority opened a Regional Intermodal Transportation Center in 2014 that encourages greater use of public transit, reduces traffic on nearby streets, and features a CNG fueling facility for its shuttle bus fleet that is also open to members of the public driving CNG vehicles.

The Airport actively seeks ways to reduce its carbon footprint, reduce air and water pollution, and reduce energy usage.

Clean Air Program

In 2005, the Airport implemented a Clean Air program, under which it installed battery chargers for electric ground service equipment at all 14 aircraft parking positions at the terminal. That installation allowed the airlines to replace much of their diesel and gasoline-powered equipment with electrified equipment, resulting in reduced air pollution.

Airport Carbon Accreditation

Hollywood Burbank Airport is dedicated in reducing emissions through the Airports Council International’s (“ACI”) Airport Carbon Accreditation (“ACA”), which is a voluntary accredited global greenhouse gas (“GHG”) reporting program for airports, enabling them to implement best practices in carbon management and GHG emission reductions. BUR successfully met requirements to enter the ACA program at Level 2 in October 2023. At Level 2 or above, airports are required to develop a carbon management plan (“CMP” or “Plan”) to demonstrate efforts to reduce emissions in line with the policy statement and GHG emission reduction target.

In a resolution signed by the Airport Authority on Mary 15, 2023 (Resolution 501), the Hollywood Burbank Airport committed to the following:
“The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (“Authority”) is committed in its efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of Hollywood Burbank Airport (“Airport”), integrate sustainable practices into Airport operations, and respond to community concerns while providing economic benefits to the region. The Authority is dedicated to reducing the Airport’s greenhouse gas emissions year after year to minimize the Airport’s carbon footprint over time. Further, the Authority has pledged to reach carbon neutrality at the Airport by 2045, consistent with City of Burbank and State of California goals. Carbon reductions will be measured on a per-passenger basis for emissions under the Authority’s control (known as Scope 1 and 2 emission sources) including fleet and heavy-duty vehicles, emergency generators, firefighting training, refrigerant losses, and purchased electricity. The Authority will strive to achieve these reductions through initiatives such as the clean fleets program, sustainable design and construction program, and renewable energy projects. These advances toward sustainability will support the Authority’s objective to serve its guests while minimizing environmental impacts.”

CNG-Powered Parking Shuttles

In November 2015, the Airport retired its fleet of diesel-powered courtesy shuttle buses and awarded a contract to MV Transportation, Inc. Under the agreement, the new shuttle bus fleet consists of 13 CNG-powered, ADA-compliant vehicles dedicated to the Airport. These 2016 model year vehicles seat 14 passengers in a perimeter seating configuration; provide accommodations for two wheelchairs; and have non-slip floors, door-activated interior lights, electric passenger doors, and 72-inch heavy-duty interior luggage racks.

LEED Compliant Hangar

The Airport is home to the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System platinum-certified aircraft hangar in the nation. The 63,653-square foot hangar has innovative and locally sensitive design elements throughout the project.

Waste Disposal Improvements

The Authority’s waste disposal provider recycles up to two-thirds of the Airport’s waste stream, preventing it from ever reaching a landfill.

Use of recycled water has been enhanced and catch basin filters have been installed to help collect pollutants before they enter the storm drain system.

Faucet aerators and hands-free faucets in the terminal make water usage more efficient, and drip irrigation plus low water-consuming landscaping conserve water on the premises.

Energy Efficient Measures

Lights in the Short Term Parking Structure and both terminals have been replaced with energy efficient bulbs. Taxiway lighting systems have been replaced with LED lighting and other “smart technology” enhancements have been made.

The Airport has a test installation of hybrid “ice energy” air conditioners that produce ice at night when power rates are low and which then chills the air conditioner coolant during the day, reducing both CO2 and Nox.

Green Initiatives

The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority is committed to air emissions reduction and sustainability. Since May 4, 2018, Hollywood Burbank Airport has been working in cooperation with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Governing Board to fulfill the 2016 AQMP Facility-Based Mobile Source Measures. To meet these measures, the South Coast Basin Airports have worked collectively with the South Basin Airports to proactively share Airport best practices, policies, and common approaches in developing Air Quality Improvement Programs (AQIPs).

BUR has developed comprehensive AQIPs that represent a wholistic plan to reduce emissions from non-aircraft mobile sources related to airport operations. The AQIPs demonstrate the Authority’s long commitment to air emissions reduction and sustainability, which is reflected in the Airport’s operations and development plans, and which is now being documented in the AQIP.

For updated information on the Air Quality Improvement Program, click here.

Annual MOU Reports

Clean Fleets Programs

Policy: Our Ground Support Equipment (GSE) policy will require GSE operators to reduce NOx emissions to meet fleet wide average targets.

Target Goal: We aim to reduce our airport-wide fleet average composite GSE emission factor to equal to, or less than, 1.66 g/hp-h of NOx by January 1, 2023 and 0.74 g/hp-h of NOx by January 1, 2031.

Action Plan: Staff will monitor compliance, require annual data collection, develop reporting procedures, and calculate emissions. This policy will be enforced through lease and license requirements.

Policy: Hollywood Burbank Airport’s Clean Construction Program will ensure that contractors follow clean construction policies to reduce emissions of NOx such as using low-emission vehicles and equipment, recycling construction and demolition debris, and minimizing non- essential trips through better schedule coordination.

Target Goal: For all capital improvement plan (CIP) Projects, BUR will require contractors to use the cleanest construction equipment on the market, and recycle construction and demolition debris. BUR will achieve 100% compliance through the Clean Construction Policy and each contractor’s fleet of construction vehicles and equipment achieving 90% Tier 4 Final and 10% Tier 4 Interim by 2023, and 100% Tier 4 final by 2031.

Action Plan: Procurement documents will require compliance with BUR Clean Construction Policy. Each construction company will submit a compliance plan and project managers will be required to monitor compliance during construction.

Policy: The Clean Fleet Program Policy covers BUR-operated/contracted vehicles, except those used for safety purposes, such as police and fire vehicles. The Clean Fleet Program Policy will require BUR to purchase new sedans powered by electricity. As vehicles are replaced with the new electric sedans, the percent of electric vehicles in BUR’s light-duty vehicle fleet will increase with the objective being a 100% conversion by 2031.

While there are no available all electric options for light duty trucks or mini-vans, BUR will explore zero-emission options for other light-duty vehicles, such as trucks and mini-vans.

Target Goals:

BUR will convert Airport Shuttle Bus Fleets to achieve 50% electric fleet by 2023, and 100% by
BUR will voluntarily convert all airport-owned/contracted medium or heavy-fleet to vehicles to be certified at SULEV or cleaner standards by January 1, 2023. Beginning in Fall 2019, the Airport will purchase commercially available passenger car, light-duty truck, or medium-duty vehicles that are certified at ultra-low-emission standards (SULEV) or cleaner when adding or replacing a vehicle in its fleet. BUR will voluntarily also increase the medium and heavy-duty fleets with the goal of achieving 50% EV by

Action Plan: BUR will identify new infrastructure and equipment needs to support the fleet conversion as part of the implementation of the Clean Fleet Program Policy. BUR will annually audit vehicle purchases and the recycling program to determine compliance with the policy, and report compliance with this policy annually.

Policy: Hollywood Burbank Airport will increase BUR’s electric vehicle chargers in its existing and future parking structures and parking areas. This policy is designed to increase the electric vehicle trips by increasing the electrical vehicle charging operations.

Target Goals:

BUR will voluntarily increase electrical charging infrastructure for all new parking structures constructed at BUR to achieve 5% of total parking inventory equipped with EV Charging infrastructure based on regulatory ability and available power capacity from the City of
BUR will voluntarily increase EV charging infrastructure for 5% of total parking inventory by

Action Plan:

BUR will analyze the utilization of the existing electrical charging facilities and estimate future needs by taking into consideration the increase in commercialization of electric vehicles and future visit times and lengths of stays and develop a policy for increasing electrical charging opportunities.

Based on the findings, BUR will determine the number of electrical charging parking spaces that need to be available, type and level of charging-equipment that needs to be offered, optimum location(s) of the charging stations, anticipated charging hours necessary, control of charging times to avoid adding load during high-peak periods (i.e., congestion charging, etc.), and future expansion taking into account the facility’s electrical capacity, and identify installation costs of EV charging stations. Identification of roles and responsibilities related to purchasing, installing, maintaining and replacing EV charging stations will be captured in an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) master plan that BUR will develop.

BUR will explore grant funding to support EV infrastructure, and collaborate with external stakeholders in a regional response to EV infrastructure challenges.

Trip Reduction Programs

BUR recently developed the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC). The RITC includes a consolidated rental car facility, direct rail connection, ground level bus station and new parking structure.

Metro Bus and Burbank Bus both stop in the bus turn-around area on the ground level of the RITC. Amtrak and Metrolink passengers stopping at the Burbank Airport-South Train Station are able to access the RITC via an Empire Avenue street crossing that leads straight to elevator and escalator access to the elevated walkway.

The RITC eliminates the need for rental car shuttles and promotes transit by linking all these transportation networks into a centralized public transportation hub. It is estimated that the RITC will save rental car companies 700,000 annual trips within the Airport.

Policy: BUR will join the Burbank Transportation Management Organization (BTMO), which will serve all Airport employees and all Airport tenant employers. BUR will also encourage Airport tenant employers to actively participate and join the BTMO as individual members as well.

Target Goal: BUR will join the BTMO and work to reduce employee trips through increased employee rideshare, transit use and alternative mode share.

Action Plan: On February 2020, the Airport will voluntarily join the BTMO and encourage tenant employers to join as well. BUR will work with the BTMO to determine existing average vehicle ridership (AVR) of Airport employees and participating Airport tenant employees to annually monitor the change in AVR for employees.

The BTMO will conduct annual reviews, help tailor employee trip reduction strategies, and produce annual reports that summarizes BUR’s employee travel behavior.

BUR encourages employees and air passengers to take the Metrolink train to and from the Airport. BUR is committed to continuing the BUR-Metrolink Shuttle Program, which includes the continuation of a pilot shuttle service to nearby Metrolink stations and on-demand shuttle services from the passenger terminal to Metrolink Stations. BUR will continue the marketing and public information dissemination to encourage increased train ridership, including the utilization of paid media, digital billboards, social and paid media, transit ads and direct mail. BUR will also work with Metrolink communications and support marketing of such services through airline partnerships, city business associations, visitor and convention bureaus.

Target Goal: BUR will continue to provide Metrolink Shuttle Connections Programs to achieve increased transit ridership through 2023 and 2031.

Action Plan: Burbank Airport will work with the Metropolitan Transit Authority to determine ridership to the Airport for applicable lines on an annual basis. BUR will report compliance with the BUR Metrolink Shuttle Program annually.

Sustainable Design / Construction Programs & Renewable Energy Projects

Project Overview: Elevate BUR reduces overall airport operational emissions. BUR will design, build, and deliver the Replacement Terminal Project in an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient manner throughout the project’s life cycle, from the initial design, construction, operation, and maintenance phases.

Target Goal: BUR will develop a Sustainable Design Standard Policy for the Airport’s Replacement Terminal Project, requiring the project to achieve LEED Silver certification or better, or the CalGreen equivalent of LEED Silver or better.

Action Plan: BUR will include the Sustainable Design Policy requirements as part of its procurement for Replacement Terminal Project construction contracts. BUR will develop a LEED monitoring checklist and assessment tool to ensure Replacement Terminal Project is constructed in accordance with LEED Silver standards at a minimum.

BUR is home to the world’s first solar powered, LEED Platinum rated airplane hangar. Hangar 25 received LEED Platinum certification, making it the most sustainable airline hangar in the world. Its solar powered roof system provides 110% of Hangar 25’s energy needs for the maintenance of the aircraft and for electricity in the building’s office areas. All hangar equipment including tow tractors, ground power units, boom and scissor lifts, forklifts, golf carts, boarding stairs, lavatory servicing units and ground air conditioning units are electrically powered. To avoid jet fuel consumption and to improve air quality, solar charging carts power the airplane.

Several components in Hangar 25’s structure reduce the demand for light fixture use during the day. Panels and windows absorb natural lighting, and the concrete floor, polished by diamonds instead of sealed by toxic epoxy finish, reflects the light. To meet water efficiency LEED standards, Hangar 25 operates with low-water plumbing fixtures, and its native desert landscaping demands little water. Other sustainable features include recycled building products, a Hi-Fog fire suppression system that uses water instead of chemicals to terminate fires, and seven enormous fans that cool the building during the day and circulate warm airflow at night.

Target Goal: Hangar 25 is designed to generate 225kW of photovoltaic energy, generating 110% of the hangar’s energy needs.

Action Plan: Since the hangar produces more energy than it uses, excess energy is sent to the Burbank power grid, providing clean energy for an estimated 50 homes. BUR will work with the Hangar 25 tenant to provide energy assessment reports, estimating the amount of clean energy produced annually.

The RITC’s approximate 4-acre roof structure can accommodate an array of solar panels with peak capacity of 2,200 MWh. The RITC roof will integrate a mounted 2.0 million-watt photovoltaic system that will help achieve the LEED Gold certification and significantly reduces the burden on local utility companies. Burbank Water and Power (BWP) is responsible and permitted to install and operate these panels.

Target: Upon BWP’s implementation of the solar panels at RITC, BUR will support BWP to operate at the greatest capacity accommodated for at the RITC to the extent feasible.

Action Plan: Once BWP implements solar panels at the RITC, BUR will provide assessment reports estimating the amount of clean energy produced annually.