Hamburg has become the first major commercial airport in Germany to achieve carbon-neutral status.
The airport in northern Germany has been certified as being CO2 neutral by Airports Council International Europe (ACI) after introducing a series of measures to make its operations more sustainable.
These initiatives have covered areas such as reducing energy consumption, using innovative new technology, conservation projects and carbon offsetting.
Hamburg airport has reduced the energy consumption of its terminals through efficient ventilation and air-conditioning facilities, and by introducing LED lighting. It also creates enough energy for 70 per cent of heating requirements through its own thermal power station, which is powered by natural gas.
Meanwhile, the airport’s airstairs run on solar power, towing vehicle on natural gas and cars on electricity. It is also planning to plant an extra 50 hectares of woodland at its nearby forest site.
Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg airport, said: “Despite the economic difficulties arising from the coronavirus pandemic, we have pursued our climate protection goals as a top priority. We are thrilled to be the first major airport in Germany to achieve CO2 neutrality.
“We would never have achieved CO2 neutrality so soon had we not started working consistently towards that goal more than ten years ago.”