Green Airports: finding a balance with nature

Why environmental standards matter

Today, aviation is among the largest contributors to the global carbon footprint. Each flight on a standard airliner releases as much CO₂ into the atmosphere as one car does in an entire year. The main culprit is aviation kerosene — a fuel without which air travel is still unimaginable.

CO₂ is a greenhouse gas: it traps heat in the atmosphere and accelerates global climate change. We already feel the effects in everyday life — abnormal heat, water shortages, more frequent natural disasters, and increasingly polluted air.

But emissions are only part of the story. Airports themselves are enormous consumers of resources. To operate a single major aviation hub requires as much energy and water as tens of thousands of households. Added to this are noise pollution, disruption of bird and animal migration routes, and various forms of environmental contamination.

To understand how Uzbekistan is addressing these challenges, we spoke with Elena Smirnova, Lead Environmental Engineer at Tashkent International Airport named after Islam Karimov. She emphasized that the airport strictly adheres to the country's environmental protection laws and is consistently working to minimize its ecological impact. For example, the airport fulfills its obligations to offset harmful atmospheric emissions by transferring funds to the state budget, which are then allocated to environmental projects.

Special attention is paid to water resources. The airport not only monitors the volume of drinking water consumed but also ensures its rational use: water is not used for watering greenery, washing equipment or vehicles, or for any other non-regulated purposes.

Preserving and expanding green zones is another key priority. The airport maintains existing plantings and continuously develops new ones. This includes regular treatment of plants against diseases and insects, inspections and irrigation, and a requirement that during reconstruction projects at least 25% of the area be dedicated to greenery. A green park has even been created near the international terminal.

Significant progress has also been made in waste management: mercury-containing lamps have been replaced with eco-friendly LED lighting. The airport’s vehicle fleet is gradually being renewed — outdated vehicles are being phased out and replaced with electric models, reducing overall emissions.

An important part of the airport’s environmental work is collaboration with airlines. Through careful scheduling of arrivals and departures, noise levels are reduced. Additionally, the adoption of new international-standard aviation fuels with lower emissions helps minimize the environmental impact of takeoffs and landings.

“We view environmental responsibility as a strategic priority,” Elena emphasizes. “From daily resource monitoring to the introduction of modern technologies and the creation of new green spaces, every step matters.”

Who Sets the Rules?

Environmental standards cover everything — from noise levels and flight paths to aircraft design and fuel quality. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), established under the United Nations in 1944, develops these standards and monitors compliance. Uzbekistan has been among its member states since 1992.

In 2016, ICAO adopted new requirements for jet and turboprop aircraft: fewer harmful emissions without reducing flight performance. Fuel also receives special attention. Kerosene is gradually giving way to SAF — sustainable aviation fuel — produced from renewable sources such as recycled cooking oil. The reduction in emissions is impressive: up to 80 percent less carbon compared to conventional jet fuel.

Another global mechanism is the CORSIA program, which operates on a principle of “eco-exchange.” If an airline exceeds its emissions cap, it must purchase carbon credits, with the proceeds directed to environmental initiatives ranging from forest restoration to supporting green energy.

What’s happening on the ground?

The environmental transformation in aviation doesn’t end in the skies — much is happening right at the airports themselves. Energy-saving systems are helping cut gas and water consumption, LED lighting is replacing outdated energy-hungry lamps, and airport vehicle fleets are increasingly switching to electric power. To reduce noise pollution, flight approach routes are being redesigned, sound-absorbing materials are used in terminals, and new landing-gear designs are helping make aircraft quieter during takeoff and landing.

Yet even the most “green” initiatives have their critics. Environmentalists and civil organizations accuse the CORSIA program of being overly formal — instead of reducing jet fuel consumption, airlines simply “buy forgiveness” by funding tree-planting projects. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), though promising, is also under scrutiny: as of 2025, its share in global aviation fuel consumption remains at just 0.7%. Experts note that without consistent investment and a well-structured long-term strategy, this technology risks staying niche.

One of the key trends shaping the industry today is the electrification of aviation — the idea of replacing traditional fuel entirely with battery power. On paper, it sounds ideal; in practice, it’s a tough challenge. Lithium-ion batteries are around 50 times less energy-dense than kerosene by volume, which makes long-haul flights unrealistic for now. Researchers are searching for solutions through lighter batteries and hybrid propulsion systems — much like the path the automotive industry once followed.

Who’s leading the way?

Despite the challenges, progress is undeniable. Today, more than 640 airports around the world participate in emission reduction programs — that’s already 55% of global passenger traffic. Some have even achieved full carbon neutrality: 14 airports in total, with 13 located in Europe and one in New Zealand. Others are steadily moving toward that goal — including airports in Dallas (USA), the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador), Cape Town (South Africa), Australia, Oman, and four locations across India. The Nordic countries, as always, remain at the forefront of ecological innovation.

Sustainability in aviation is not a passing trend — it’s a genuine response to the challenges facing our planet. The journey is far from easy, yet airports are becoming the laboratories of the future, testing the very technologies that will determine the quality of the air we breathe tomorrow.

Oslo, Norway

The airport’s terminal was built using recycled steel, and the concrete used in construction was made more sustainable by adding volcanic ash, which significantly reduced its carbon footprint. But the most impressive innovation is the snow-based cooling system. In winter, autonomous snow collectors gather snow from the runways and store it in large underground reservoirs. During the summer, this “natural air conditioner” is used to cool terminal buildings without additional energy consumption.

The results speak for themselves: CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 31 tons per year, and energy use has dropped by 2 GWh.

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm Arlanda Airport was among the first in the world to achieve carbon neutrality. Its runways are made with low-carbon concrete, and the air around the terminal is purified through photocatalytic membranes that break down pollutants. Even the ground transportation here runs sustainably — buses and taxis are powered by biogas.

Engineers also developed a creative climate-control system that uses groundwater from underground wells. In summer, it cools the buildings; in winter, it provides heating — all powered by eco-friendly biofuel.

Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich Airport has managed to cut harmful emissions by more than half, and following a major terminal reconstruction planned for completion by 2030, that number is expected to increase even further.

The secret lies in a comprehensive sustainability approach. Photovoltaic systems installed at gates and parking areas help purify the air, while water resources are treated as a renewable asset. Domestic wastewater is purified, rainwater is reused, and the fluids from de-icing operations are recycled through a unique technology: special microorganisms break down solid residues, returning the cleaned water to the system.

Changi, Singapore

Changi is widely recognized as one of the greenest airports in the world. Its gardens and waterfalls do more than beautify the space — they cool the air naturally, purify it, and create a microclimate of their own. Energy efficiency is ensured by solar panels and smart lighting systems, while rainwater and greywater are collected and reused through advanced filtration processes.

For travelers, this green philosophy can be felt everywhere — from the quiet of low-noise takeoffs to the pleasant coolness of the terminals, where eco-ventilation systems replace heavy air conditioning. Changi continues its steady journey toward full carbon neutrality, showing that an airport can be not just concrete and steel, but a living, breathing ecosystem.

Incheon, South Korea

Incheon is often called a “smart airport” — not only for its digital technologies but also for its integrated eco-architecture. Terminals are heated and cooled using geothermal energy, rooftops are covered with solar panels, and green belts around runways help reduce noise and purify the air.

Transportation is also at the heart of its sustainability plan: the airport’s bus and service vehicle fleet runs on electricity and hydrogen, while indoor gardens and parks serve not just as decoration but as natural oxygen generators. By 2040, Incheon aims to achieve net-zero emissions, turning one of East Asia’s busiest hubs into a model of sustainable infrastructure for the future.