Lyon Airport achieves net zero emissions ahead of schedule under VINCI Airports’ sustainability strategy

Credit: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport

VINCI Airports has announced that Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) has achieved net zero carbon emissions within its direct scope of activities, becoming the first airport in France with over 10 million passengers to reach this milestone as of May 2025. This follows Toulon Airport, which achieved the same in 2023. The accomplishment places Lyon (LYS) among the 25 most advanced airports in the world in terms of decarbonisation.

Since VINCI Airports took over operations in 2016, Lyon Airport’s environmental action plan has led to a 94 per cent reduction in direct CO₂ emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) between 2013 and 2024. This has been achieved through a series of sustainable initiatives. In electricity, the airport has introduced solar power for self-consumption, converted entirely to LED lighting, and uses 100 per cent green electricity with guarantees of origin. For heating, the airport has switched to 100 per cent biogas and uses heat recovery from co-generation production. In addition, optimisation and electrification of the vehicle fleet have reduced fuel emissions, while improvements in air-conditioning management and equipment have minimised refrigerant fluid leaks.

The airport reached its 2026 net zero emissions target a year early. It plans to maintain this achievement by keeping emissions below 500 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year, offsetting residual emissions through local reforestation projects certified under the Low Carbon Label. These projects, launched in partnership with the Rhône Department and the National Forestry Office, are located in the northern Beaujolais region.

Lyon Airport’s ACA5 certification recognises both the reduction of its direct emissions and its leadership in helping stakeholders decarbonise their own activities under Scope 3. VINCI Airports has introduced several initiatives to support this effort. By 2025, 25 MWp of photovoltaic plants will be operational, with 20 MWp supplying nearby communities and 5 MWp for self-consumption, avoiding nearly 1,600 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The airport has also inaugurated its first hydrogen refuelling station, Hympulsion, for light vehicles in partnership with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. Further plans include 850 electric vehicle chargers by 2026, landing fee modulation to encourage lower-emission aircraft, and the introduction of sustainable aviation fuel distribution from 2025 under the ReFuel EU regulation. In early 2025, partnerships were signed with H2V and Hy2gen for local production and supply of synthetic SAF.

Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of Concessions at VINCI and President of VINCI Airports, said: “In the air transport sector, our commitment is total, not only within our own sphere of activity, but also with our various stakeholders. With 60 airports accredited to the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme, including five airports at the maximum ACA 5 level (in France and Portugal), VINCI Airports is the leading international contributor to the ACI (Airports Council International) ACA programme.”

VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports across 14 countries. It aims to achieve net zero emissions for its direct activities by 2030 within the EU and the UK, and by 2050 globally.

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