General News
22 December, 2025
Mangroves suck up CO22
THE 300 hectares of mangrove forest around Cairns Airport absorb more than the carbon emissions emitted by the aircraft, vehicles and other equipment at the aerodrome.
Leading international journal Ocean & Coastal Management has highlighted a new study born out of the dense mangroves surrounding the airport.
It found the 300 hectares of mangroves store more than 2000 tonnes of carbon each year, underlining the importance of maintaining the wetlands to slow climate change.
The research was co-designed by the Yirrganydji Land and Sea Ranger Program, along with Cairns Airport and scientists from Blue Carbon Lab and RMIT University.
Key highlights:
Cairns Airport landholdings include more than 300ha of mangroves, sequestering about 2042 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents within its plants and soils every year. That is more than the carbon emissions generated directly by the airport
Maintaining these mangrove ecosystems is a key part of the airport’s commitment to net zero and is included in the company’s industry-leading sustainability linked loan agreement.
In addition to on-site carbon sequestration, the airport’s electricity use is 100% renewable through a partnership with CleanCo Queensland.
Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said the airport’s unique location made it vital for the business to do its part in protecting and understanding the environment, in addition to daily operations.
"Mangroves play an important role in the health of the overall system and protect the airport physically from storm surge and erosion,” he said.
Project leader Yirrganydji man Brian Singleton said “this project was special because it brought together our knowledge with scientific research, right here in a place that is deeply meaningful to us”.
“Seeing our young people demonstrate such dedication and knowledge made me proud," he said.
Dr Micheli Costa, lead study author of RMIT University, said the project had strengthened capacity for the Yirrganydji Land and Sea Ranger Program to conduct long-term monitoring.
