Budapest Airport achieves new carbon accreditation milestone

Budapest has become the first airport in Central Europe to achieve level 4+ ‘Transition’ status in ACI’s  Airport Carbon Accreditation programme.

The achievement means that the Hungarian gateway is on target to achieve net zero emissions by 2035.

The airport says that it has been working closely with its partners to reduce the environmental impacts of the airport for many years, noting that a fleet of 130 electric ground service vehicles now operate at the airport.

Hungary’s capital city airport adds that it has also installed 96 charging points for electric vehicles and since January 2023 100% of the airport’s total electricity consumption has been supplied by renewable energy sources.

Work is also underway to develop a 7.5MW solar farm and to prepare the development of a geothermal heating system for the airport.

As a result of its actions, Budapest Airport has reduced its direct carbon emissions by more than 70% over the last ten years and has also performed exceptionally 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.

Airport CEO, Kam Jandu, enthused: “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.

“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 realise this by 2035 at the latest.”

Olivier Jankovec, the director general of ACI EUROPE, said: “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!”