Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating System—Characteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options (2014)

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80 General EONS An abbreviation for Economic Viability, Operational Efficiency, Natural Resource Conser- vation, and Social Responsibility, the four functional parts needed for holistic airport management crafted by the Environmental Committee of ACI–NA. EONS looks at operational efficiency factors in addition to the traditional economic, ecological, and social factors. SAGA An abbreviation for Sustainable Aviation Guidance Alliance. The SAGA website consolidates existing guidelines and practices into a comprehensive, searchable resource that can be tailored to the unique requirements of individual airports of all sizes and in different climates/regions in the United States. The website and database are being updated under ACRP Project 02-30. Sustainability For purposes of ACRP Project 02-28, the ACI–NA Environmental Committee definition of sustainability has been adopted, which states, “A holistic approach to managing an airport so as to ensure the integrity of the EONS of the airport.” Practices Sustainability measures that could be implemented at an airport. Stakeholder Research On-Line Survey A survey that was administered online. In-Depth Interviews One-on-one, semi-structured telephone interviews that were recorded. Instrument The method by which opinions where gathered from participants. Focus Group A moderated discussion during which participants provide their perspectives on a topic. Can be held in person or online. Stakeholder Outreach An activity included in the user research for ACRP Project 02-28. Stake- holder outreach focused on collecting information about preferences for sustainability resources and was included in an online survey, in-depth telephone interviews, an online focus group, and industry briefings. TurningPoint™ A software program that allows the user to collect instant, anonymous data from participants who provide responses using of a programmed remote control. Prototype Rating System Benchmark A point of reference used to track performance and recognize performance improvements over time. Glossary

Glossary 81 Certification For purposes of ACRP Project 02-28, certification refers to the process during which sustainability performance is reviewed and assessed, and a rating is identified. Certification is typically issued by a third party. EONS Icon A symbol that identifies which aspects of the EONS framework apply to a sustain- ability category, accompanied by a discussion section for each aspect. EONS icons are used to apply the EONS framework to the Prototype Rating System. EONS Framework A four-component framework of sustainability defined by the Environ- mental Committee of ACI–NA as consisting of Economic viability, Operational efficiency, Natural resource conservation, and Social responsibility. Innovation The opportunity to add additional points for exemplary performance whereby the airport (a) achieves significant, measurable environmental performance that exceeds the highest threshold of an existing credit; (b) implements new, extraordinary, unique, groundbreaking, or uncommon outcomes, policies, and practices not addressed in the existing system; (c) overcomes significant problems, barriers, or limitations to achieving sustainability; or (d) deploys sustain- able solutions that are scalable and/or transferable across sectors, opening up new opportunities. Governance How the rating system is managed and maintained over time. Materiality An element of the scoring framework that recognizes that not all sustainability activities will be relevant to all airports while rewarding airports for objectively considering the relevance of their activities. Materiality indicates the level at which an airport activity becomes sufficiently important that it should be included in the airport’s rating. Incorporating materiality makes the rating system more flexible and able to accommodate different airport types because airports select those activities that are material to their operations to include in the rating. Performance Action An effort taken to improve sustainability that, when evaluated alongside other Performance Actions, serves as a good indicator of sustainability performance. Performance Actions were developed using information from existing rating systems and support a scoring framework. Performance Level A performance target (or threshold) under each sustainability activity that reflects a greater demonstration of sustainability given the objective of the activity, and thus earns an increased number of points. Sustainability activities may have up to four performance levels; depends on the nature of the activity. Performance Metric An indicator of performance within a sustainability activity that allows the airport to measure and track performance over time. Performance Metrics were developed using information from existing rating systems and support a scoring framework. Performance Threshold A dividing limit between Performance Levels that is denoted by a percentage (when associated with Performance Metrics) or by a specific number of Performance Actions. The percentages and number of actions will vary depending on the sustainability activity. Points The individual units of measure used to calculate the overall score of an airport under the Prototype Rating System. Points earned are divided by total points possible to establish a score. Points-Based Rating System A type of rating system that awards points based on level of performance. Rating Levels The tiers used to denote the overall score of an airport (e.g., Platinum, Gold, or Silver, as with LEED). Rating levels are associated with a range of points and serve as the sustain- ability rating that an airport will report and can use to compare itself against other airports and/or market to the public.

82 Prototype Airport Sustainability Rating System—Characteristics, Viability, and Implementation Options Scoring Framework The framework that determines how airports achieve/collect points to obtain a rating level. Structural Components The components of the Prototype Rating System that collectively provide a rating system framework. The Prototype Rating System structural components include sustainability activities, sustainability category, performance metrics, performance actions, EONS icons, innovation, and the scoring framework. Sustainability Activity High-level undertakings that have a strong potential to improve the sustainability of an airport. Sustainability activities were identified using information from existing rating systems. Sustainability Categories Broad organizational levels that group sustainability activities of a similar sustainability theme. Sustainability categories were developed using information from existing rating systems. Threshold A level or value that marks significant progress or improvement toward a sustain- ability goal. Verification For the purposes of ACRP Project 02-28, verification refers to the process during which a sustainability rating is reviewed, assessed, and confirmed through either self-verification, peer verification, or third-party verification. Weighting Applying a weight to the points received for a sustainability activity that emphasizes the contribution of the sustainability activity in the overall score received.