Thinking
Sustainably
Building a Greener Future,
One Innovation at a Time
Protecting our environment is central to who we are at John Wayne Airport. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships and measurable commitments, we’re working to create a more sustainable future for Orange County. Whether reducing emissions, conserving water, advancing green building practices or minimizing waste, every initiative reflects our dedication to being responsible stewards of the resources we share.
Our work in 2025
Earned international recognition for carbon reduction leadership
We earned Airports Council International (ACI) Level 2 Carbon Accreditation, recognizing JWA’s leadership in reducing emissions. Certification validates our audited carbon management plan, annual tracking, and sustained progress over three years.
Advanced sustainable building practices
Airport-wide
We introduced the Green Concessions Program to drive CALGreen Tier 1 compliance and sustainable operations. We achieved the first tenant certification and progressed 16 other tenants through design review and permitting.
Pounds of edible food donated by concession tenants to local communities in 2025.
What’s ahead in 2026?
We’ll make sustainability progress visible and measurable
We’ll develop sustainability tracking dashboards that provide transparent, real-time insights into our environmental performance and progress toward our goals.
We’ll reimagine our landscape for water conservation
We’ll initiate a Landscape Masterplan to support water conservation improvements across Airport grounds, ensuring beautiful spaces that respect California’s precious water resources.
Clay Lacy is participating in the SCE Green Rate Program to cover 100% of their electricity use with renewable electricity.
We’ll brighten the airfield while reducing energy use
We’ll replace approximately 180 high-pressure sodium apron lighting fixtures with LED fixtures and associated lighting controllers, significantly reducing energy consumption while improving visibility and safety.
Metric tons of Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduced in 2025