PANYNJ releases its Net-Zero Roadmap

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) released the agency’s Net-Zero Roadmap, a comprehensive plan comprised of more than 40 actions intended to achieve both its near-term emission reduction goals and its 2050 goal of net-zero carbon emissions. The roadmap paves the way for the agency’s ambitious plans to work with its tenants and contractors to achieve the 2050 goal.

The agency is also on track to meet its interim goals of a 35 percent reduction in direct emissions by 2025 and a 50 percent reduction by 2030, undertaking ambitious initiatives from increasingly larger solar power projects and low-carbon airport terminals to electric Port Authority vehicles, electric shuttle buses and charging ports for customers.

"New York isn't just joining the climate change fight - we're leading the charge on a global scale,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. “I commend the Port Authority's important commitment and visionary roadmap to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Together, we can be the catalyst inspiring cities, states and nations to think bigger, act bolder and spark monumental change to protect our people and the planet."

“The Port Authority’s bold net-zero goal represents one crucial element of New Jersey’s all-of-government approach to comprehensive climate action,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “Through its sustainability strategy and alignment with New Jersey’s vision for a clean energy future, the Port Authority will continue to help advance the Garden State’s pursuit of a 100 percent clean-energy economy by 2035. This determined pursuit is especially urgent to safeguard our environmental justice communities from the intensifying impacts of the climate crisis.”

Actions underway

The roadmap outlines efforts to curtail the agency’s direct carbon impact, including adopting electric vehicles (EV) and equipment, dramatically reducing the carbon footprint of new and existing buildings through energy efficiency and other initiatives and maximizing on-site solar power. To date, PANYNJ has reduced its direct emissions by more than 20 percent through significant milestones, including EVs. Its light-duty, non-emergency vehicle fleet will be 50 percent electric by 2025 through vehicles already acquired or ordered by the agency, with a further target to make the entire fleet electric by 2028. Currently, there are 46 new airport electric buses in operation, the largest electric bus fleet of any U.S. airport system and 375 new EV charging ports installed, with 600 more in progress.

 The net-zero roadmap outlines dozens of initiatives PANYNJ plans to undertake for its own operations and direct emissions, as well as cooperative actions with its facility stakeholders to reach a collective net-zero target. They include, but are not limited to:

• Design and upgrade bus terminals, including the planned replacement of the Midtown Bus Terminal, to fully support zero-emission operations and electric bus fleets.
• Expand and improve transit, bicycle and pedestrian access to facilities, reducing traffic and congestion
• Install charging infrastructure at airports to support the transition to zero-emission ground support equipment by 2030
• Support zero-emission taxis, for-hire vehicles, buses and rental cars at airports by adding charging equipment and creating incentives for use

The initiatives go hand-in-hand with the multitude of sustainability efforts already underway at PANYNJ, which so far have brought down direct emissions by at least 20 percent from 2006 levels. In 2018 and 2021, PANYNJ introduced the Clean Dozen 1.0 and 2.0 programs, a series of projects to accelerate the agency’s progress in reducing emissions. In addition to progress on solar and EVs, through the initiatives, the PANYNJ has:

• Published a logistics and production study outlining initial steps toward the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel.
• Extended the clean vessel program, incentivizing container and cruise ships to make engine, fuel and technology enhancements to reduce emissions.

The roadmap also includes a pledge to continue reporting PANYNJ’s progress through annual greenhouse gas inventories. The investments will incorporate a continued emphasis on awarding contracts to minority- and women-owned business enterprises and local business enterprises, part of a larger collaboration the agency continues to foster with surrounding communities and industries.

“This comprehensive roadmap shows the Port Authority is meeting the gravity of the climate crisis with the urgency it deserves,” said PANYNJ Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions is one thing, but this roadmap presents a much larger vision, helping to bring emissions down across the entire transportation landscape.”

“Climate change is an existential threat to the planet and to our way of life,” said PANYNJ Executive Director Rick Cotton. “To get to net zero requires out-of-the-ordinary measures and commitment. The Port Authority’s road map to net zero seeks to lay out the needed way forward. The agency is committed to articulating the goal, describing the needed actions and then tackling the implementation challenge. The road map to net zero will be the foundation of the agency’s effort.”