Runways to sustainability: How airports are paving the way to a greener future
August 30, 2025
From living indoor walls and recycled cigarette butts to solar farms and electric ground power units, airports are embracing sustainable solutions in the race to net zero.
While aircraft emissions are typically what springs to mind when addressing the climate impact of air travel, airports also have a pivotal role to play in reducing aviation emissions. In April, Airports Council International (ACI) released encouraging results on carbon performance and participation trends. Spanning the period from May 2023 through May 2024, airports on the Airport Carbon Accreditation collectively reduced over 1 million tonnes of CO2.
From investing in renewable energy and electric ground handling vehicles to reusable crockery and a terminal in a garden, we take a look at some of the latest sustainability practices being adopted by five airports across the globe.
Shining the solar spotlight on Edinburgh Airport
Earlier this week, Scotland’s Edinburgh Airport officially inaugurated its airside solar farm in the presence of Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
“By generating clean energy on site, this pioneering project is not only helping one of the country’s most important transport hubs cut emissions but is also supporting green jobs, energy resilience and sustainable economic growth,” enthused Forbes, speaking from the edge of the airport’s runway.
Edinburgh Airport’s solar farm has actually been generating power since 2024, with the inauguration marking its first full year of operation. The eleven-acre farm, which the airport collaborated with AMPYR Solar Europe (ASE) to develop, fund and operate, already provides around 27% of the airport’s energy needs.
The Scottish hub has already operated solely on solar power on several occasions, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in supporting airport operations.
Describing the airfield solar farm as a key part of the airport’s Greater Good sustainability, Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said, “Making sure we have a sustainable future is one of our most important goals, and it’s important that we innovate and harness technology that can help deliver that for the airport.”
He added that it also “demonstrates how government and the private sector can work together to help deliver a more sustainable Scotland, alongside, in our case, the benefits of air travel and connectivity to the economy.”
In line with its net-zero by 2030 aspiration, Edinburgh Airport has already achieved a 90% reduction in its own emissions and is the only airport in Scotland to achieve Level 4+ on the global Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme.
Striking sustainability gold for Queensland
This week has seen Gold Coast Airport, alongside the other three airports in the Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) portfolio, achieve Level 4 on the Airports Carbon Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI).
Gold Coast was joined by Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports in its Level 4 ACA accreditation. All four airports have taken key steps towards reaching QAL’s net-zero targets.
“To have all four airports achieve Level 4 accreditation is a proud moment, but also a reminder of the responsibility we have to keep pushing towards our net zero targets,” said Shannon McFadden, QAL’s chief strategy, sustainability and people officer.
Both Gold Coast and Townsville have transitioned to 100% renewable energy through a Power Purchase Agreement. Gold Coast has also begun the transition to upgrade its entire ground fleet to electric and hybrid vehicles.
Meanwhile, all four airports have made the move to upgrade to more energy-efficient lighting and introduced a stakeholder programme to support the reduction of Scope 3 emissions (those not directly under the airports’ control).
The airport operator was congratulated by ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East director general Stefano Baronci, who said that QAL has “established itself as a leader in carbon management, displaying a robust commitment to fostering a sustainable future.”
Portland Airport’s Green Plate Programme
Serving up sustainability on a different course, Portland Airport’s Green Plate Programme was rolled out over the summer at food and beverage concessions after security gates in Concourse C. The programme has seen Portland Airport provide reusable plates and utensils at some of its airport concessions with counter service, to reduce the need for single-use plastic.
Speaking on a Facebook post, the airport said the “reusable plates, bowls and cutlery had all been custom designed for each restaurant.” The initiative is “supported by a central dishwashing space to make it all possible.”
Once additional facilities, including two more washing rooms, are ready, the programme will expand across the airport.
Portland Airport has been actively addressing waste-reduction initiatives around its food and beverage offerings for years. In 2003, the airport started collecting food scraps for composting, and in 2013, a food-donation programme was established in collaboration with Portland nonprofit organisation Urban Gleaners. The scheme enables concessionaires at the airport to provide surplus food from their restaurants and shops to those in need.
Recycled cigarette butts at Cagliari Elmas Airport
Sardinian airport Cagliari Elmas Airport has taken a novel approach to recycling cigarette butts. The Italian regional airport has embraced the circular economy, collaborating with RE-CIG Company in May this year to recycle cigarette butts into new raw material (polymer plastic) that is then used to make ashtrays.
The airport’s recycled Smokers Points are located outside the arrivals and departure areas. RE-CIG provides a collection and recycling service for the cigarette butts, before transforming them into customised ashtrays displaying the patterns and colours of the Tree of Life mural that greets passengers as they arrive at the airport entrance.
Fabio Mereu, CEO of SOGAER, which operates Cagliari Elmas Airport, said: “For several years now, we have been committed to adopting cutting-edge practices and systems to implement increasingly ambitious green policies because we believe that operating in the air transport sector today requires innovative and responsible choices.”
According to RE-CIG CEO, Marco Fimognari, Cagliari Airport is the first air transport hub in Europe to adopt a structured system for recycling cigarette butts based on its patented technology.
“We are effectively combating the phenomenon of littering, but we are also demonstrating how it is possible to transform highly polluting waste into a useful resource, following the principles of the circular economy,” he said.
“Promoting awareness of the issue of cigarette butt littering is essential to generating lasting cultural change, both inside and outside airports.”
Hanging gardens of Bangalore Airport
The development of a self-sustaining airport business is at the core of India’s Bengaluru Airport (Kempegowda International Airport) Terminal 2. The facility is the largest terminal in the world to be pre-certified with a Platinum LEED rating.
Designed and built as a ‘Terminal in a Garden’, the airport reflects Bengaluru’s reputation as the ‘Garden City of India’. Grant Associates, in collaboration with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, were tasked with designing the infrastructure.
The terminal and the area leading up to it are designed to give passengers the experience of walking in a garden. Those travelling through the airport are greeted by hanging plants and trees, lush green living walls, cascading waterfalls and a thick forest belt as they move through the terminal.
The indoor garden houses a variety of tropical plants and flowering species, creating a miniature ecosystem within the terminal. As well as adding to the aesthetic appeal, this also improves air quality and provides passengers with a sense of calm as they move through the busy airport environment.
Natural building materials, including bamboo cladding and local natural ston,e are also used extensively throughout the terminal.
A highlight of the terminal is the breathtaking multi-level 90-metre-wide forest belt awash with over 450 plant species, while an automated irrigation system is fed by harvested rainwater.
Bengaluru Airport is the first in Asia to receive Level 5 Airport Carbon Accreditation.
