Sustainable Airports: Strategies, Technologies, and Pathways to Net-Zero

The aviation industry contributes 2–4% of global GHG emissions today, but this could rise to 20% by 2050 without action. Airports play a pivotal role in balancing growth with sustainability. This report by Frost & Sullivan explores strategies, technologies, and pathways to achieve net-zero by 2050.

Leverage these valuable insights by downloading the report today.

This whitepaper, authored by Frost & Sullivan, highlights the key drivers shaping airport sustainability worldwide:

  • Regulatory Drivers
    • Learn how government programmes like the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) initiative and the EU “Fit for 55” framework is influencing airport sustainability efforts.
  • Economic Drivers
    • Discover how to achieve sustainability and optimise operations despite rising operating costs, investor pressures, and needs for green financing.
  • Social Drivers
    • Determine how to integrate passenger and community demand for visible, impactful action on decarbonisation in day-to-day airport operations.

The Airport Industry by the Numbers

3–5%

Airport Scope 1 emissions

(ground ops, heating, cooling)

20%

Energy consumption

(from heating & cooling at airports)

95%+

Airport emissions come from Scope 3

(aircraft, commuting, tenants)

7–10%

Aircraft ground ops emissions share

(taxiing, APUs)

Sustainability for airports is no longer an ‘if’ but a ‘how’. Net-zero has quickly become a key competitive differentiator for operators to attract passengers, airlines, and investors.

Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Senior Aviation Consultant & Airports Lead, Frost & Sullivan

Download the Sustainable Airports Report from Frost & Sullivan