Time for carbon neutrality and other emission reduction measures at European airports

Abstract

Since 2009, one out of five European airports participate in carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction programmes, although only 8% of them are certified as CO2 neutral. This study aims to examine empirically internal as well as external factors of importance for airport participation in emission reduction programmes at different levels of involvement. Estimates of the Cox proportional hazard model based on almost 600 airports for the period 2009 to 2017 reveal that the likelihood and timing of participation increase with the size of the airport (number of passengers), independent of level of commitment. Performance (growth in number of passengers) and if the airport is part of a group are crucial for the advanced levels of the programme. Environmental progress at the country level is also a significant predictor, most distinctly represented by renewable electricity generation, whereas airports serving as hubs for low-cost airlines are less likely to enter the carbon reduction programmes.