Istanbul Airport has released its 2021-22 Sustainability Report update, which shows a 21% fall in carbon emissions versus a 2019 baseline.

The airport says it expects its Scope 1 and 2 emissions will be cut by 23% by 2025. “We are developing projects to reduce Scope 3 emissions, which are those produced by the airport stakeholders,” it added in a statement.

Reclaimed water met 35% of its water consumption in 2022, while its solid waste recycling ratio increased by 31% to 34%.

Other year-on-year gains included energy consumption per passenger falling to 3.63kwh/passenger, from 5.67kwh/passenger.

 Its wider plan to become a net-zero operation by 2050 is in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, it added. 

Nearer-term 2030 goals include reducing waste metrics per passenger by 20%, and selling 10% of products sustainably for travel retailer Unifree. 

By 2025, it says it will make sure 5% of the total product range sold is a sustainable or recyclable product.

Istanbul Airport added that it won the ACI Eco-Innovation Award for its Big Data Management and Internet of Things study into boosting operational efficiency. 

As a result of its carbon management last year, the hub has increased its Airport Carbon Accreditation rating from Level 1 to Level 3. 

Istanbul Airport: ‘Target for the future’

“With our philosophy focused on adding value to society, sustainability has always been a top priority at iGA,” said Kadri Samsunlu, CEO of iGA Istanbul Airport. 

“2022 marked a year where we advanced our efforts and took our sustainability journey to new heights.

“We measured our sustainability impacts, engaged in long-term planning, and restructured our goals and our sustainability management system. 

“Within the scope of our 2030 plan, we have established a team of representatives and consultants from all departments within the organisation to define our sustainability vision and goals.

 “With the motto, ‘Focus on the Planet, Target for the Future!’ we set out to work towards bringing the mobility methods of the future to the present by focusing on the benefits of technology for people and the environment, to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for all our guests at this meeting point of diverse cultures. 

“As a global player, iGA is determined to lead the way in making mobility services sustainable. Indeed, our stakeholders’ contribution has a significant role during this transition.”

In November 2022, Istanbul Airport received ACI World accreditation that recognises its efforts in improving accessibility for passengers with disabilities.