Title: Baseline values of greenhouse gas emissions for an airport

Authors: Sinem Aksit Sahinkaya; Fatos Germirli Babuna

Addresses: Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey ' Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak 34469, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: This study investigates the baseline carbon footprint of an airport. Approximately 1,470,530 tons of CO₂ equivalent (e) emissions are generated by this airport annually. Aircrafts, ground access to airport, waste disposal, energy usage, airside vehicles, de-icer usage and wastewater processing are the contributors. As expected, aircrafts have the highest share in total greenhouse emissions. Ground access to airport, indicating how to reach the airport by ground transportation vehicles for passengers, employees, cargo etc. accounts for 11% of the total emissions. CO₂ emissions that originate from sources under the control of the airport authorities, are only 4% of the total emissions mentioned. Nevertheless, airport operators must lower these emissions by taking necessary precautions. Total CO₂ e emissions generated by the airport showed a 55% increase within three years. On the other hand, obtained figures show a slightly decreasing trend for kg CO₂ e emissions per passenger.

Keywords: airport; climate change; greenhouse gas emissions; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2021.112892

International Journal of Global Warming, 2021 Vol.23 No.2, pp.129 - 137

Received: 10 May 2019
Accepted: 16 Mar 2020
Published online: 08 Feb 2021 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article