London Luton Airport has scored a perfect 100 in the GRESB ESG benchmark, ranking first among more than 500 companies and topping its European airport peer group.
London Luton Airport (LTN) has been named a GRESB sector leader for the fifth consecutive year, achieving a perfect score of 100 and retaining its five-star rating in the independent sustainability benchmark.
The airport ranked first overall among more than 500 companies assessed worldwide and was the highest-ranked airport in its European peer group.
GRESB is an international framework that benchmarks major organisations and assets on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) management. Sector leaders are identified as the top-performing organisations by sector, region and nature of ownership.
Ground fleet and energy cuts drive Luton emissions reduction
Luton Airport works with airlines, suppliers, passengers and other stakeholders to manage its environmental impacts, including noise, air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, waste and water, and seeks to influence impacts beyond its direct control.
Carbon emissions from airport operations have fallen by more than 40 per cent compared with 2019. The figure covers Scope 1 direct emissions from sources the airport operator owns or controls, and Scope 2 indirect emissions from purchased energy.
The airport said this progress was driven primarily by key capital projects, including the transition to a lower-carbon vehicle fleet, which now accounts for 89 per cent of its operational ground vehicles. Further energy efficiency measures have also reduced overall energy consumption, alongside increased recycling.
Nearly two thirds of aircraft based at Luton are now quieter, more fuel-efficient next-generation types, which the airport says is one of the highest proportions in Europe. Based aircraft are commercial airline aircraft parked at the airport before 5am and used for the first passenger departure of the day.
Landing and take-off (LTO) aircraft emissions intensity has fallen by 13.2 per cent compared with 2019. The airport clarified that this is a reduction in emissions per passenger, rather than an absolute reduction in total LTO emissions between 2019 and 2025.
Working with airlines and handlers
The airport said it engages regularly with airline partners, ground handlers and transport providers through operational forums, joint initiatives and industry working groups to support emissions reduction. For aircraft emissions, its focus is on improving aircraft efficiency on the ground and in the air, supporting lower-carbon fuels and reducing emissions from ground operations.
All passenger and aircraft service-related ground support equipment (GSE) at Luton is operated by third-party handling agents and pooled through TCR, a specialist provider that owns, manages and maintains shared airport equipment used across multiple airlines.
According to the airport, this pooled model reduces the total volume of equipment required on site and has lowered overall fuel use. It also creates a more efficient pathway for transition, with fewer assets needing to be replaced or converted to zero-emission alternatives. All of the airport’s pooled GSE is now lower carbon.
Surface access has shifted too, with 34 per cent of passengers using more sustainable modes of transport to and from the airport, up from 29 per cent in 2024.
Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer at London Luton Airport, said: “As one of the UK’s busiest airports and one of the largest employers in the Luton area, London Luton Airport recognises the importance of seeking to operate more responsibly and sustainably. LLA plays an important role in connecting people, places and economies, and our focus on managing our environmental impact and providing enduring social benefit to our local community will always be paramount. Maintaining a 100 per cent score, five-star rating and sector leader status from GRESB for a fifth consecutive year highlights our commitment to demonstrating the highest, most robust ESG management, governance and performance.”
As one of the region’s leading employers, the airport supports local employment and workforce development through community-based education and engagement programmes, contributing to Luton Council’s 2040 vision for a healthy, fair and sustainable town.
The airport estimates it has delivered more than £44 million in social value through local employment and procurement. It supports approximately 14,700 local jobs and employs 50 per cent of its workforce from Luton postcode areas.
In 2025, it supported 932 local people through its education and skills programmes, bringing the total reached to 1,279. It spent £41.2 million with businesses within 20 miles of the airport, including £25.2 million with Luton-based businesses.
The airport also raised more than £60,000 for charity partners, supported 45 community projects benefiting more than 34,000 people and contributed 826 employee volunteering hours, up more than 44 per cent on the previous year.
Rodrigo Marabini, International Subsidiaries Director at Aena, said: “Aena Group continues to champion the highest standards of environmental, social and governance performance across all its airports. We are delighted therefore that London Luton Airport has been recognised by GRESB for the fifth-year running, reflecting its ongoing commitment to delivering positive environmental and social outcomes across its operations.”
Justin Symonds, Senior Adviser at InfraBridge, added: “We are delighted to see London Luton Airport achieve this outstanding recognition from GRESB for a fifth consecutive year. The airport continues to demonstrate the benefits of an effective public-private partnership and securing a maximum score and five-star rating underlines our collective commitment to delivering positive sustainability governance management and performance.”
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