Airports as key drivers in aviation decarbonization

By Gabriel Schillaci and Nikhil Sachdeva

Airports are increasingly becoming pivotal in the aviation industry's ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions. Recognizing their potential, Roland Berger recently collaborated with Geneva Airport to address the question: "Can airports play a significant role in reducing aviation's environmental impact?" This collaboration culminated in a joint article published in the Journal of Airport Management, which delves into how airports can lead transformative environmental initiatives.

The paper categorizes decarbonization strategies into three primary areas: aircraft operations, transportation solutions, and construction practices. Each area presents distinct opportunities and challenges for airports striving to minimize their carbon footprint.

Core Decarbonization Strategies

Aircraft operations present the most immediate and significant opportunity for reducing environmental impact. Initiatives such as incentivizing the renewal of airline fleets and optimizing ground operations, including taxiing and idling, are not only highly effective but also relatively straightforward for airports to implement. As highlighted by the authors, "Incentivizing airline fleet renewal and introducing new operational measures have the greatest environmental impact of all assessed strategies." Additionally, developing infrastructure to support sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) is essential for decarbonizing airline operations, though this task is more complex and requires long-term planning.

While transport solutions offer substantial environmental benefits, they also pose considerable implementation challenges. Improving public transportation links to airports and encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) among passengers and employees demand significant investment and coordination with external stakeholders. Despite these challenges, such efforts can drastically reduce emissions associated with airport commutes, making them invaluable in the long term.

Incorporating sustainable practices into airport construction projects is another crucial decarbonization strategy. Utilizing low-carbon materials and optimizing existing structures can significantly advance sustainability goals. Although the direct environmental impact of construction is relatively lower than other strategies, embedding these practices within airport master plans can contribute meaningfully to long-term decarbonization objectives.

Addressing Key Challenges

Airports face several critical challenges in their decarbonization efforts, including influencing areas beyond their direct control, managing complex stakeholder dynamics, and navigating financial constraints.

One of the major hurdles for airports is the need to influence areas outside their immediate jurisdiction, such as airline operations and public transportation policies. This can lead to resistance from stakeholders who may perceive these efforts as overreach. Successfully overcoming this challenge requires airports to design carefully targeted initiatives and continuously monitor their effectiveness to ensure both acceptance and impact.

The implementation of decarbonization measures involves intricate interactions with a variety of stakeholders, including airlines, local governments, and transport authorities. These interactions can complicate and delay the adoption of necessary initiatives. Securing long-term governmental support and aligning the priorities of all stakeholders are critical for the successful implementation of these measures.

The significant financial investment required to implement decarbonization strategies can strain an airport's financial performance. Airports must strike a balance between these costs and their sustainability goals while ensuring operational efficiency. Engaging shareholders and clearly demonstrating the long-term value of sustainable growth are essential steps in securing the necessary funding and support.

Strategic Actions for Decarbonization

To effectively contribute to the aviation sector's journey toward net-zero emissions, airports must prioritize environmental initiatives, secure investments, mitigate carbon leakage, plan for future fuel infrastructure , and transparently communicate their progress. The authors underscore the importance of collaboration, stating, "Airports must work closely with airlines and other key stakeholders to ensure that costs, revenues, and mitigated costs are distributed fairly across the ecosystem."

By focusing on high-impact, feasible measures, actively engaging with stakeholders, and securing the necessary financial commitments, airports can play a significant role in reducing aviation's environmental impact. While the path to net-zero emissions is complex, strategic planning and concerted efforts can position airports as crucial catalysts in driving sustainable aviation forward.

For an in-depth exploration of strategies, challenges, and case studies, the full paper is available in the Journal of Airport Management, by Henry Stewart Publications.

We would like to thank Christopher Stern for his contribution to this paper.

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