Environmental Research

Operations (take-offs and landings) have declined year-over-year at PDX and other airports as the commercial airline fleet has increased capacity on aircraft (more people in fewer planes.) Additionally, modern aircraft are more fuel-efficient, raising the question: Do declines in operations and gains in aircraft design/fuel efficiency translate into carbon savings?

I researched this question, including the build-out of a simple carbon calculator (left), to help the Port understand whether carbon emissions have declined or risen at PDX in the past 10 years.