Budapest Airport raises its sustainability efforts by becoming the first in Central Europe to achieve global carbon management certification.
Budapest Airport has achieved level 4+ “Transition” in Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation program.
This improvement brings the airport into a special group of only 52 airports of the more than 550 airports participating in the assessment that have achieved this rating.
CONSISTENCY PAYS OFF
Budapest Airport has been following a consistent sustainability strategy for years, working closely with its partners to reduce the environmental impacts of the airport.
Airport Suppliers states that Budapest Airport is the first airport in the Central European region to attain this certification.
“As a responsible airport operator, we are convinced that rapid action is needed to protect the environment and integrate sustainable practices into our daily operations.”
Kam Jandu, CEO, Budapest Airport
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF BUDAPEST AIRPORT
Airport Carbon Accreditation, established by Airports Council International (ACI), is the only global, institutionally approved program that assesses the carbon emissions of the world’s airports, using a rigorous certification scheme, on a scale of one to five.
Budapest Airport has risen up the certification scale by achieving a 4+ “Transition” rating.
“I have only praise for Budapest Airport’s latest achievement within Airport Carbon Accreditation. The Hungarian hub has reached another critical step in carbon management, as it has become certified at level 4+ Transition, which means it has fully aligned its carbon reduction pathway with the ambitious climate goals of the Paris Agreement. BUD is the first airport in Central Europe to reach this level of carbon management maturity, and with its target to achieve net zero emissions already by 2035 for CO2 emissions under its control, the airport is also clearly a leader in terms of climate action at global level. Hats off to the entire team for this significant achievement!”
Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI EUROPE
CARBON MANAGEMENT AT BUDAPEST AIRPORT
These advancements confirm that the airport fully offsets direct carbon emissions (Scope 1 emissions) from its operations and is working with its partners to reduce emissions (Scope 2 emissions).
In addition, Budapest Airport has set a long-term absolute emissions reduction target, developed a stakeholder partnership scheme and established a Carbon Management Plan. This is in line with the Paris Agreement targets.
The Central European Airport has also set out a plan for how it will achieve these reduction targets.
DOING THINGS IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY
To achieve a level 4+ “Transition” of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, Budapest Airport has added new elements to the measurement of indirect carbon emissions from the activities of companies operating at the airport, in addition to reducing its emissions.
“Achieving level 4+ “Transition” confirms that with a consistent strategy, combined with a passionate and knowledgeable team, the airport is able to fulfil its essential operations in a more sustainable way. The next step will be to achieve ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation level 5, which will mean attaining net zero emissions, and we aim to realize this by 2035 at the latest.”
Kam Jandu, CEO, Budapest Airport
IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
During data collection, the airport operator has taken into account, among other things, information on the materials used for the de-icing of aircraft, roads, taxiways and aprons, the amount of fuel used by subcontractors during construction and development works, as well as the routes and the treatment of waste and wastewater.
Measurements also include the total amount of fuel supplied to airlines and mapping the commuting habits of airport staff.
The resulting comprehensive analysis will help Budapest Airport to further reduce the environmental impacts of the airport, together with its partners, and achieve net zero emissions target set by ACI by 2035.
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SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
It is continuously expanding its fleet of electric vehicles and developing its e-charging infrastructure, thus also encouraging its partner companies to develop e-mobility.
As a result, 96 charging points are available for electric vehicles and more than 130 electric ground service equipment are already performing their tasks at the airport on a daily basis.
Electric vehicle charging is also available for passengers; there are already 35 charging points in public car parks.
USING RENEWABLES AT BUDAPEST AIRPORT
From January 2023, 100% of the airport’s total electricity consumption is covered by renewable energy sources, and work is underway to develop a 7.5 MW solar farm and to prepare the development of a geothermal heating system for the airport.
Thanks to the measures implemented so far, the company has reduced its direct carbon emissions by more than 70% over the last ten years and has also performed extremely well in waste management, recycling 73% of its municipal and packaging waste in 2023, more than double the rate of the population.
The company has also reduced its natural gas consumption by 22% in one year.
