Istanbul Airport Commits to Achieving “Zero Emissions” By 2050.

Istanbul Airport has joined the “Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050” commitment initiated by the Airports Council International (ACI) and undersigned by 238 airports.

İGA continues to work in line with the principles of sustainable development. Taking action in advance to leave a cleaner world to the next generations, İGA has announced that Istanbul Airport has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the very latest. Launched by Airports Council International (ACI) in June 2019, “ACI Net Zero 2050” was created in line with the goal of taking action and decarbonizing airports against the climate problem.

As a result of its efforts to manage and reduce its carbon footprints within the scope of the environment and sustainability program, Istanbul Airport has joined 238 airports that have committed to achieving “Net Zero CO2 emission” . Within the scope of efforts to reduce carbon emissions at Istanbul Airport, significant efforts such as ISO 50001 Energy Management System Installation, Energy Efficiency Activities, System Improvements with Energy Audits, ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Management System installation, and Greenhouse Gas Calculations, Afforestation Studies, the Use of Electric Vehicles, and Vehicle Charging Station Installations have been carried out.

Istanbul Airport will continue to work towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and it has announced its commitment to the Use of Hydrogen Fuel for Heating and Transportation Purposes, and Carbon Capture Technologies from Flue Gas in line with technological developments and efforts for Solar Power Plant Installations, Purchase of Renewable Energy from the Electricity Network, Electric Vehicle Conversions, Vehicle Charging Station Installations, Use of Bio-Diesel in Heavy Vehicles, Energy Efficiency Activities, and Afforestation Projects.

İGA Airport Operations Chief Executive Officer Kadri Samsunlu stated, “As İGA, we are aware that we have an important responsibility towards future generations. Acting with this sense of responsibility, we took action for a cleaner world. At Istanbul Airport, Turkey’s gateway to the world, we have prepared our roadmap for “Net Zero CO2 Emission” by 2050 and created our carbon emission reduction strategy by making quite aggressive planning towards this direction. Thus, we have been involved in a process where both technological and operational requirements are constantly monitored and evaluated. By implementing many of our projects in advance, we will have achieved our zero-emission targets even before the year 2050. In short term, we have realized Energy Efficiency Activities, Energy Audits, and System Improvements, the use of Electric Vehicle and Vehicle Charging Station Installations and we will continue to do so in the next two to three years . In the long run, we will supply the majority of our electrical energy needs from renewable sources through the installation of Solar Power Plants and Purchases of Green Energy. We believe that our afforestation activities will also become a sink of significant amounts of carbon emissions. We will also evaluate emission reduction opportunities by following the developing technologies such as Use of Bio-Diesel in Heavy Vehicles, Use of Hydrogen Fuel for Heating and Transportation, and Carbon Capture Technologies from Flue Gas. As İGA, our greatest goal is to set the bar even higher in accordance with our objectives.”

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, stated: “I sincerely congratulate Istanbul Airport for its participation in the collective agreement we have formed with airports across Europe and the world to achieve the ‘Net Zero CO2’ emission value by 2050. Despite the serious challenges our industry has been facing due to the COVID-19 crisis, airports continue to prioritize climate action, and this statement is proof of that. Bringing the climate agenda forward by aligning decarbonization efforts with global targets will not be easy for any industry, as well as the industries that have significantly suffered from this crisis, whose recovery may take years. We still have significant works waiting ahead to be completed. Besides that, I would like to thank the Istanbul Airport team, who are always willing to do their best by focusing on the ambitious net zero target.”

For more information, please click here to view the press release.