Frankfurt airport is to “accelerate” its plans to reduce carbon emissions from the German hub over the next few years.
The airport’s operator Fraport had originally stated that its goal was to reduce emissions from the operations that it directly controls to 75,000 tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030.
But now the airport is targeting maximum emissions of 50,000 tonnes by 2030, with sustainably produced electricity at the heart of this strategy.
Fraport CEO Stefan Schulte said: “Aviation needs to make a significant contribution towards protecting our planet’s climate and we need to act faster than in years gone by - that’s our responsibility.
“For this reason, we’ve once again revised our masterplan for climate action, intensifying our measures wherever possible.”
The operator said that the “centrepiece” of cutting emissions at the airport would be an agreement with German energy company EnBW, which will provide 85 per cent of Frankfurt’s electricity needs from wind power produced in the North Sea by 2026.
Other measures will include using photovoltaic solar panel systems to provide “another significant proportion” of energy, alongside more climate-friendly air conditioning and lighting.
“In every sector, green electricity is the key to a sustainable, climate-friendly approach,” added Schulte.
Fraport has direct responsibility for around 10 per cent of CO2 created at Frankfurt airport, with the current decarbonisation plan tackling its Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
“Above and beyond this, Fraport is working within the aviation industry and the airlines, as well as the Deutsche Bahn railroad company, and other industry partners and local companies to implement joint climate measures under Scope 3,” added Fraport in a statement.
Fraport plans to be CO2 free by 2045 at all of the airports in the group, which also includes operations in Greece, Bulgaria, Slovenia and South America.
“Zero carbon means we will achieve this target without offsetting our emissions,” said Schulte. “We’re not going to rely on compensatory measures and their impact in the distant future. We’re taking the direct route.”