Sustainability: Building a Better Future

Transform RDU projects are planned, designed and constructed with sustainability in mind. Through our efforts, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, improve the customer experience and reduce operational costs.

We are also committed to pursuing sustainability ratings, such as Envision or LEED verification, for Transform RDU projects. Envision is a sustainability rating system developed by the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure that is geared for civil engineering projects, such as roads, runways and taxiways. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a globally recognized green building rating system for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving buildings.

Read below to learn more about sustainability efforts for each of our four major projects.

Sustainability Highlights

Runway 5L-23R Replacement
  • Seeking Envision Verification: In 2024, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority registered its intention to pursue Envision verification for the Runway 5L/23R Replacement project.
  • Minimizing Land Disturbance: At the start of design efforts, the project team estimated five million cubic yards of fill material would be needed to level the area proposed for the new runway. The Airport Authority was able to eliminate the one of the borrow sites for fill material, reducing land disturbance and tree clearing by 200 acres in an area adjacent to the Brier Creek Reservoir.
  • Wetlands Mitigation: All wetland impacts of the project must be fully offset through wetland mitigation banking or participation in the State of North Carolina’s in-lieu fee program. The Airport Authority has expended over $11 million in wetland mitigation banking to compensate for project impacts.
Terminal 2 Expansion
  • Seeking LEED Certification: In February 2024, the Terminal 2 Landside Expansion project was registered to pursue LEED: Commercial Interiors certification. The Airport Authority has a LEED consultant onboard to ensure project design and specifications meet the certification goals.
  • Energy Efficiency and Resiliency: The project team will explore upgrades to the building’s mechanical control systems that can reduce overall operations and maintenance costs. The project team is also looking at reducing heat gain with the addition of sunshades on the more exposed windowed areas, particularly for the harsh south and southwest sun angles.
  • Lighting Upgrades: The project team is upgrading and retrofitting the decorative post lighting throughout Terminal 2 ticketing and the concourse areas to LEDs. LEDs are more energy efficient than traditional lighting options, free of toxic materials and recyclable. In addition, LEDs are longer-lasting and more durable than traditional lighting options.
Parking Expansion
  • Platinum Envision Verification: In March 2025, the project received Platinum Envision verification from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. The Envision framework evaluates civil infrastructure projects across a range of sustainability indicators. Platinum is the highest level of recognition.
  • Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation: Approximately 55% of the total energy consumed at Park Economy 3 is expected to be renewable energy generated with solar panels. Sustainability efforts are expected to reduce energy consumption by 33% throughout the operational life of the parking lot. Conservation measures have also been employed during construction, including the purchase of green power for 100% of workstation energy consumption and a 38% reduction of energy consumption through improved planning and logistics.
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: The project is anticipated to reduce total CO2 emissions by 69% over the course of the lot’s 10-year operational life compared to standard practices. This will be achieved through the use of electric buses and solar canopies, as well as the conversion of existing parking lot lights LED. The reduction may increase after electric charging stations for public use are installed.
John Brantley Boulevard Extension
  • Potential Envision Verification: The Airport Authority will determine suitability for Envision certification.
  • Material Conservation and Reuse: The project team is investigating the possibility of incorporating recycled material in the paved asphalt portions of the project. There may also be opportunities to reuse material generated on-site.
  • Lighting Upgrades: The project team will install LEDs for necessary lighting along the new John Brantley Boulevard Extension. LEDs are more energy efficient than traditional lighting options, free of toxic materials and recyclable. In addition, LEDs are longer-lasting and more durable than traditional lighting options.