Some 328 European airports now operate public net-zero roadmaps covering nearly 83% of the region's passenger traffic, figures released alongside ACI Europe's updated Sustainability Strategy for Airports 2.0 show.

The trade body unveiled the framework on 7 October at the Joint ACI Europe and ICAO EUR/NAT Environmental Protection Seminar in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It builds on the association's original strategy from 2019.

Carbon reduction remains central to the roadmap. But the revised document reflects how priorities have shifted across seven operational pillars:

• Decarbonisation and energy transition
• Climate adaptation and resilience
• Local environmental quality
• Circular economy and resources
• Biodiversity and airside ecology
• Sustainable mobility and access
• Community engagement

How far have European airports come since 2019?

Alongside the 328 airports with public net-zero roadmaps, 297 facilities hold certification under the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme. More than 100 of them aim to reach net-zero status by 2030 or earlier.

"European airports have come a long way since we launched our first sustainability strategy in 2019," ACI Europe director general Olivier Jankovec said. "Decarbonisation has moved from commitment to delivery, with hundreds of airports now working towards net zero and investing in cleaner energy and infrastructure."

Jankovec argues that long-term competitiveness now demands a wider perspective than emissions alone.

"True sustainability means much more than just addressing carbon," he said. "Airports are critical infrastructure, major employers and integral parts of the communities they serve. Their long-term resilience and competitiveness increasingly depend on how effectively they adapt to climate change, manage resources, protect nature, improve accessibility and maintain the trust of their people and communities."

What does the new strategy actually give operators?

Rather than imposing a uniform model, the framework provides operators with key performance indicators, airport case studies and guidance on navigating European regulatory requirements, reporting standards and governance.

"This new strategy is therefore deliberately about moving from commitment to action," Jankovec added. "It gives airports practical tools to understand where they are, decide where they need to go next and embed sustainability into the decisions they make every day."

Uzbekistan Airports reaches accreditation milestone

The Tashkent seminar also marked a decarbonisation milestone for the host country's operator. Uzbekistan Airports achieved Airport Carbon Accreditation across nine facilities under its management.

Tashkent International airport entered the programme directly at Level 2, reflecting the establishment of a formal carbon management framework and verified emissions reductions.

The three-day seminar runs until 9 October, with an agenda covering implementation of ICAO's carbon offsetting and reduction scheme for international aviation (CORSIA), sustainable aviation fuels, green finance and climate resilience.

The strategy's emphasis on adaptation and resilience signals where airport investment priorities are heading next, as operators move beyond decarbonisation commitments toward the physical and regulatory risks of a changing climate.