Perth Airport — Australia's fourth busiest airport — said it aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 with a rapid expansion in renewable energy to drive the commitment.

In a statement, it said the carbon neutral commitment covers the airport's Scope 1 and 2 emissions and is part of a new environment, social, people and governance (ESPG) strategy which sets targets for Perth Airport employees.

"Climate change is a global challenge which requires us all to act,"  said Perth Airport CEO Kevin Brown, adding that the gateway continues to manage its own carbon emissions through the Airport Carbon Accreditation process run by Airports Council International.

"We all need to be a part of the solution," he added. "We believe we can achieve 50% renewable energy across our estate by 2030, involving our tenants and operators."

The airport will consider a mix of energy efficiency measures, two to three large-scale renewable energy projects on-site and look into options for off-site projects.

The airport chief noted that the gateway "will deliver major reductions in waste with a cut of 20% in waste to landfill and an increase in recycling of 75% and will ensure our scheme water use remains below 2019 levels by 2030."

Additionally, it noted that the carbon savings impact of Perth Airport going carbon neutral is equivalent to the annual electricity use emissions of around 5,300 homes — or equivalent of taking 6,300 cars off the road for a year or planting almost 480,000 tree seedlings and growing them for ten years.

The waste targets also mean Perth Airport will cut close to 350 tonnes of waste going to landfill each year and boost recycling by more than 300 tonnes a year.