More Economical Engines, Hydrogen-powered Aircraft: Prague Airport Moves Towards Carbon Neutrality

The Net Zero initiative aims to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2050 at the latest. However, Prague Airport, through particular steps, has been targeting a 2030 deadline. In the context of the Covid-19 crisis, this is an ambitious goal. The airport has been actively reducing CO₂ emissions since 2010, when it joined the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Level 3, which requires third party engagement in carbon footprint reduction, has been reached. In addition, the amount of emissions released is reviewed by an independent certification company on a yearly basis.

"Since 2010, we have managed to continuously reduce emissions by an average of three to five thousand tons of CO₂ a year, thanks to replacing conventional light sources with energy-saving LEDs. We have implemented night cycle operation of air handling and lighting units in terminal buildings, replaced absorption cooling units, boilers, burners, and used waste heat at the wastewater treatment plant. Since 2019, annual savings have climbed to 40,000 tonnes compared to the reference year 2009, mainly through purchases of green electricity from renewable sources," Soňa Hykyšová, Prague Airport Environmental Protection Director, explained. Prague Airport plans to continue pursuing energy-saving projects with the goal of achieving a reduction in emissions by 72% compared to 2009 by 2025.

“Europe’s airports have been leading climate action with annual reductions achieved every year for over a decade. The launch of the global ACI long-term carbon goal is another step in this endeavour and a sign that the whole airport industry is throwing its weight behind the global effort to address the Climate Emergency. I would like to commend Prague Airport for joining the ranks of airport leaders aligning their environmental targets with global climate goals,” Jost Lammers, President of ACI EUROPE and CEO & President of Munich Airport, said.

As it is not realistic to reach net zero, it is necessary to compensate for the remaining CO₂ emissions by investing in projects which, in return, will save the same amount of emissions. Therefore, Prague Airport will prioritise projects within the Czech Republic. In addition, as part of its Green PRG 2050 sustainability strategy, Prague Airport has set forth specific targets in five areas. These are: moving towards a species-diverse airport, zero percent of municipal waste in landfills by 2025, reducing noise burden and gradually phasing out night-time operations, co-operation with partners and, the aforementioned, carbon neutrality.