Through consistent environmental management, Flughafen Wien AG has reduced its own CO₂ emissions by an impressive 70 percent over the past ten years. A key pillar of this strategy is solar energy: with ten photovoltaic systems – including one of the largest ground-mounted installations in Austria – the airport generates approximately 45 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually. Complemented by carbon-free district heating and an apron fleet of over 450 electric vehicles, the airport is setting new standards.
This success is also reflected internationally: the umbrella organization ACI recently upgraded Vienna Airport to the coveted Level 3+ (“Neutrality”) within the global Airport Carbon Accreditation program. This places Schwechat among an exclusive group of airports worldwide that have fully minimized the emissions they can directly influence and have offset any remaining emissions.
Vienna Airport aims to become CO2-neutral
Vienna Airport has reduced its CO2 emissions by more than 27 percent since 2012 and is planning further measures. In recognition of these successful efforts, the airport has been awarded Level 3 certification by Airports Council International (ACI) – the global trade association for airports – as part of its worldwide carbon reduction program. Through the four-level “Airport Carbon Accreditation System” (ACAS), airports around the world commit to reducing their CO2 emissions in a comprehensive and sustainable manner. Vienna Airport’s next objective is to achieve completely carbon-neutral operations.
“Sustainability and energy efficiency are key corporate objectives for Vienna Airport, and the Level 3 certification from ACI confirms that we are making excellent progress in this regard. The results from recent years demonstrate that it is possible to achieve economic success while simultaneously reducing both costs and energy consumption. By 2022, we aim to cut CO2 emissions by 30 percent compared to 2012 levels. In the long term, the goal is for Vienna Airport to become a CO2-neutral operation,” state Dr. Günther Ofner and Mag. Julian Jäger, members of the Management Board of Flughafen Wien AG.
Airports aim to reduce CO2 emissions
Between 2012 and 2016, Vienna Airport succeeded in reducing its CO2 emissions by approximately 27 percent and its specific electricity consumption per traffic unit by 14.2 percent, thanks to ongoing environmental initiatives and continuous improvements – most of which also resulted in cost savings. In 2016, CO2 emissions totaled 34,175 tonnes (1.34 kg per traffic unit), down from 46,876 tonnes (1.95 kg per traffic unit) in 2012. During the same period (2012–2016), fuel consumption by vehicles at Vienna Airport decreased by 10.3 percent, and total energy consumption fell by 6.7 percent – this despite a 5.7 percent increase in traffic units.
The Airport Carbon Accreditation System (ACAS) is a program developed exclusively for airports to account for and reduce CO2 emissions that fall under their sphere of influence at the airport site. Based on international standards, the program tracks an airport’s greenhouse gas emissions – with the calculated carbon footprint undergoing independent verification – and establishes reduction targets, with the ultimate goal of becoming a carbon-neutral airport. This process consists of four levels: Vienna Airport achieved Level 1 certification in 2013, followed by an advancement to Level 2 in 2015. To reach Level 3, all companies based at the airport site must be integrated into the carbon optimization process.
Vienna Airport is Level 3 certified
Vienna Airport has now reached Level 3. Achieving this required extensive assessments of emissions, encompassing both flight operations and landside traffic. In addition to accounting for CO2 emissions from the entire LTO (landing and take-off) cycle – covering operations below 1,000 meters – as well as emissions from engine testing, third-party ground handling equipment, the total electricity consumption at the Vienna Airport site (including tenants and other on-site businesses), and all landside traffic (generated by both arriving/departing passengers and employees), the process necessitated the implementation of measures designed to reduce total CO2 emissions across the entire organization and its partners.
Further reduction of CO2 emissions by 2022
Furthermore, Flughafen Wien AG has set itself the goal of reducing CO2 emissions per traffic unit by 30 percent by 2022, compared to 2012 levels. To this end, investments of up to 30 million euros are planned for energy efficiency and CO2 reduction measures. For instance, two photovoltaic systems – comprising over 2,000 solar panels and covering a total area of approximately 3,200 m² – were commissioned as early as 2016; they generate more than 500,000 kWh of solar power annually. An additional system is set to be installed on the roof of the Air Cargo Center in 2017; spanning roughly 5,000 m², it will be one of the largest photovoltaic installations in Austria.
Sustainable improvements in energy efficiency have already been achieved through the retrofitting of lighting and air-conditioning systems, the optimization of utility distribution networks, and investments in the vehicle fleet. By 2020, the airport’s fleet is set to undergo a comprehensive transition to electric and natural gas-powered vehicles; indeed, Vienna Airport already operates one of the largest fleets of natural gas-powered vehicles in Austria. Replacing diesel-powered catering high-lift trucks with 30 electric-powered units will result in annual savings of approximately 275,000 liters of diesel.
