Budapest Airport is still the only carbon-neutral airport in the region

This accreditation was confirmed by ACI Europe with an official certificate issued after the environmental audit of Budapest Airport. The relevant strict environmental norms are met by only 39 airports in Europe, mostly in Scandinavia and Italy. When the programme was started six years ago, CO₂ emission (the so-called carbon footprint) at Budapest Airport was assessed first, and then its per-passenger limit value as well as its targeted rate of reduction was defined. 

The continued success of the airport is primarily due to a series of energy-saving measures. Among other things, the company ensured that electric vehicles are used in more and more areas of the airport, whilst also ensuring that other companies operating at the airport followed suit. They enhanced the heat insulation of several hangars and other buildings, and optimised its water network and water consumption. In addition, Budapest Airport also purchased ‘carbon credits’ produced by a Chinese wind power station project, thereby contributing to the international struggle against climate change. 

As part of its global responsibility, Budapest Airport undertook to take further significant environmental measures. It has announced for the three-year period between 2019 and 2021 that it will decrease its CO₂ emission per passenger by 10 per cent versus the 2016 level. To ensure successful implementation of this, Budapest Airport – via its greenairport programme – cooperates for instance with Wizz Air, ground handling companies, and other commercial and logistics partners. 

Gábor Szarvas, Environmental Director of Budapest Airport said: “Since the commencement of the programme, we have managed to decrease CO₂ emission per passenger of Budapest Airport by nearly to 50 per cent, and we are delighted to have been able to ensure the cooperation of our partners at the airport too.”

Airport Carbon Accreditation said in a statement: “Budapest Airport is still the only carbon-neutral airport in Central and Eastern Europe! We are delighted to confirm that the airport has secured a renewal of their Level 3+ Neutrality certificate within Airport Carbon Accreditation, as one of the 40 airports in Europe, run by a carbon-neutral operator. Budapest Airport received the carbon-neutral accreditation for 2019 as well, primarily due to a series of energy-saving measures. Among other things, the company achieved that electric vehicles are used in more and more areas also by other companies operating at the airport, enhanced the heat insulation of several hangars and other buildings, and optimised its water network and water consumption. In addition, Budapest Airport also purchased so-called carbon credits produced by a Chinese wind power station project, thereby contributing to the international struggle against climate change.”