In August 2008, DFW Airport launched an Airport-wide Sustainability Policy and Program under the auspices of DFW’s Executive Vice President Operation’s Division. DFW’s Sustainability Initiative is a key element in the Airport’s Strategic Plan designed to positively affect the environment, the community, the Airport and its employees. DFW’s Sustainability Initiative is about being environmentally friendly and being a strong corporate and community partner. Sustainability is a business approach that seeks to understand and balance economic, environmental and social objectives.
The Sustainability Initiative embodies a belief that it is important that DFW continue to care for our environment, reduce air emissions and use improved methods and building standards to conserve energy efficiently. We also need to be more innovative in how we approach the design, construction and maintenance of our facilities. Sustainability is also important to our marketing and business development to attract airlines and serve customers who care about how we manage our Airport . . . We serve as stewards of this great Airport, which drives tremendous economic support and jobs for our region . . . it all starts with you and your commitment to bring the Sustainability motto to life; DFW Sustainability: Trusted with Tomorrow.
DFW’s Environmental Management System [EMS]: Platform for Sustainability
DFW’s comprehensive, holistic EMS won national acclaim in 2007 when the EPA Administrator acknowledged DFW’s EMS by accepting DFW Airport into EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track leadership program. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality similarly acknowledged the leadership level of DFW Airport’s EMS in 2008 by accepting DFW Airport into the Clean Texas Environmental Leadership Program at the Platinum level. The fundamental elements of DFW’s Sustainability effort to date include: DFW’s EMS; Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy initiative; waste minimization/recycling; wildlife management; safety management system; emergency response; asset development sustainability initiative & DFW’s clean fleet vehicle program. Emerging efforts going-forward encompass total asset management; water reuse; green, custodial programs; green building standards; integrated design processes; & environmentally friendly purchasing.
Environmental Primer
An Environmental Primer was developed to foster DFW’s Sustainability Initiative Airport-wide by providing a more concise tool for identifying the environmentally regulated aspects of operations, commercial and construction activities conducted on-Airport. The information profiled in this Primer addresses the authorities driving environmental compliance as well as the priorities expressed in DFW’s Strategic Plan. Program and Project Managers can use this Primer to guide their oversight of the environmentally regulated aspects associated with their, and their staff’s mission deliverables in a more focused manner. The Primer is a roadmap detailing the environmentally regulated aspects of DFW Airport operations, projects, and activities. Program and Program Managers can reference to Environmental Primer to get a snapshot of DFW’s efforts to achieve its environmental theme: A Balance of Nature and Global Technology. Your continued vigilance and stewardship assure a Standard of Environmental Excellence at DFW.
Click this link to obtain an on-line version of the Primer.
ABOUT THE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
The Sustainability Initiative was an evolution that began with the initial environmental movement that began in the 1960’s. Environmental regulations were imposed with minimum standards aimed at a “fix” for environmental factors without the benefit of fully understanding the issues at hand. Compliance by regulated entities was often a reactive approach to avoid punishment. However over time, greater understanding and science led to specific, refined environmental regulations and new management strategies. Today, the Environmental Management System (EMS) provide a working tool that not only assures compliance but even fosters beyond compliance environmental stewardship.
Sustainability is a business strategy that closes the gaps between policy and practice. Sustainability is 1) an integrated active rather than passive business strategy; 2) a notion of creating advantages not just managing risk; 3) is a springboard to innovation, i.e., best practices lead to best outcomes; and 4) is provides an opportunity to communicate solutions as benefits in a strong offensive marketing approach. In short, Sustainability is a balanced approach to assessing products, services, and business activities using financial, environmental, and social criteria.
Click here for a matrix of the principles of the evolution of the Sustainability Initiative in illustrated. |
