Advancing Sustainably

2024 Annual Report

Quick Links

A Longstanding Commitment

The MAC has a longstanding commitment to build a sustainable future. In 2020, the commission took a significant step by unanimously adopting the following 2030 sustainability goals: 

  • Reduce MSP’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. 
     
  • Reduce MSP’s water usage per passenger by 15%. 
     
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle or compost 75% of MSP's solid waste.
     
  • Achieve a MAC employee engagement sustainability score of 85.

Each year, the MAC advances toward these goals through innovation, engagement and planning. More information can be found in the MAC’s 2024 Sustainability Annual Report. 

2024 Progress Toward Goals

The MAC made significant progress on its emissions, water and waste goals in 2024. Throughout the year, the MAC launched several initiatives to advance sustainability. Examples include:

  • Increasing organics recycling by 33% from 2023.
     
  • Pursuing onsite solar and battery storage for energy resiliency in two major new construction projects along with onsite geothermal for heating. 
     
  • Gaining a 90% participation rate for airport businesses pledging to eliminate certain single-use plastic products.

The Future of Aviation Fuels

In 2024, the MAC helped organize multiple events as a supporting member of the Minnesota Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Hub, a coalition led by the GREATER MSP Partnership that is committed to scaling regional production of low-carbon aviation fuel. In September, the MAC was joined by GREATER MSP, Delta Air Lines and other anchor partners to recognize the first-ever flight fueled in part by SAF from MSP. This historic flight from Minneapolis to New York was powered by SAF blended with Minnesota and North Dakota winter camelina, one of many Midwest crops that can be used to produce SAF. 

Other 2024 achievements of the SAF Hub included the first SAF blending facility in Minnesota, the creation of a demand consortium to make SAF cost-competitive, a federal grant for a SAF production facility in Minnesota, and a partnership with the University of Minnesota to make SAF out of next-generation novel feedstocks including cover crops. 

Level 3 Carbon Accreditation

In a significant step toward reducing its carbon footprint, MSP attained Level 3 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. This achievement reflects the MAC's commitment to manage its own emissions and to engage with MSP tenants to support their emissions reduction efforts. The accreditation process requires the MAC to work closely with tenants, assisting them in accurately tracking and reporting their emissions, as well as implementing reduction strategies.

Results of this collaborative approach include the development of charging infrastructure for electric ground support equipment in partnership with airlines. These efforts enabled Delta Air Lines to achieve its goal of electrifying 50% of its MSP ground support equipment well ahead of schedule. Other carriers, such as Sun Country Airlines, began procuring electric ground support equipment as well.