Clay Lacy Aviation is the first company to receive a 4Air sustainability rating of Facilities Neutral, validating that the company’s private aviation facilities have been operating carbon neutral since 2019. Clay Lacy is the first company to complete its facilities audit by 4Air, said to be the first and only rating sustainability programme dedicated to private aviation.

“The Facilities Neutral rating affirms the sustainability strategy and actions taken by Clay Lacy Aviation to meet a carbon neutral level,” says 4Air president Kennedy Ricci. “After a thorough review and audit, we offer Clay Lacy stakeholders and its customers assurance that its programme has delivered in its goals of reducing its carbon footprint and procuring carbon offsets to attain carbon neutrality. Receiving the Facilities Neutral rating shows Clay Lacy’s industry leadership in achieving sustainability for its FBOs (operations).”

4Air conducted a comprehensive and independent audit of Clay Lacy FBO facilities at Van Nuys airport in Los Angeles and Orange County’s John Wayne airport, reviewing direct emissions such as fuel combustion and indirect emissions from electricity and heating. In addition to participating in carbon offset programmes, Clay Lacy actively reduces its carbon footprint throughout its facilities, including utilising more than 30,000 sq ft of solar panels at its Los Angeles headquarters, and incorporating electric vehicle charging stations and LED lights for greater efficiency.

Clay Lacy senior vice president of development and sustainability Scott Cutshall adds: “4Air's rating is an industry-first framework to address greenhouse gas impact that offers a verifiable path to achieve meaningful emissions counteraction and reduction. This important third-party rating recognises that Clay Lacy’s thoughtful and proactive efforts are meeting our measurable goals, as we continue to work toward a sustainable future.”

The company is executing a long term strategic plan to operate more sustainably, both on the ground and in the air. The company works with fuel suppliers and aviation industry associations to foster the development and use of sustainable jet fuel and facilitates carbon offset programmes for FBO customers and business jet aircraft owners. After completing installation of a 500 kW solar array at its headquarters, Clay Lacy will break ground on two new FBOs at Oxford-Waterbury airport in Connecticut and John Wayne airport in California that will incorporate a host of sustainable construction and operational practices to reduce the environmental impact of those facilities. Clay Lacy Aviation was also recently the first company certified to the NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses.