Connecting the World Through Sustainable Airports

Groupe ADP drives sustainable airport transformation, creating impact across territories and shaping change at a global scale.

A sustainable future for the modern airport

The Global Sustainable Trade Initiative challenges industries to reconcile economic growth with environmental responsibility. Few sectors sit more visibly at this intersection than aviation. The modern airport is both an engine of global trade and a focal point of public scrutiny, where energy use, land management and emissions are concentrated in one place. As expectations shift, the question is no longer whether aviation must become more sustainable, but how the airport itself can evolve and actively contribute to the transition of the aviation sector without weakening the trade networks that sustain economies.

Across continents, regulators and investors are tightening climate frameworks, while communities are demanding transparency and measurable progress. For airport operators such as Groupe ADP, this shift is not theoretical but operational. Supply chains depend on reliable air cargo and passenger connectivity. An airport today must operate as infrastructure, logistics hub and civic space simultaneously. Its success increasingly depends on whether it can balance performance with responsibility, enabling global trade while reducing its environmental footprint.

Embedding sustainable change into airport systems

For Groupe ADP, operating 26 airports worldwide, sustainability is tied directly to operational scale. In 2025, nearly 379 million passengers travelled through its network, including more than 107 million across the Paris airports. Paris-Charles de Gaulle handles close to 2 million tonnes of freight annually, placing the airport at the centre of European logistics flows and global trade.

The group’s decarbonisation roadmap, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, commits to achieving net zero emissions across the value chain by 2050, with an accelerated objective of net zero emissions in Paris by 2035. These targets, aligned with the Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C trajectory, already reflect long-standing commitments, with around 80% of the reduction pathway initiated prior to the COVID period. They directly influence capital investment, energy procurement and operational management across each airport platform.

Most airport emissions originate from vehicle fleets and the energy required to heat and power buildings, making energy systems a central focus of action. Concrete measures are already deployed at scale. Geothermal energy is in use at Paris-Orly and Paris-Charles de Gaulle and will soon be extended to Le Bourget. By 2030, the objective is that solar energy will cover 30% of the electricity needs of the three Paris airports. At the same time, all aircraft stands are being progressively electrified so that ground operations can be performed without running aircraft auxiliary power units.

Electric ground fleets are expanding across operations, while infrastructure supporting sustainable aviation fuel is deployed in coordination with airlines and fuel providers. Planning also anticipates future hydrogen integration, ensuring long-term adaptability of airport infrastructure.

Environmental management is embedded into land use. Biodiversity corridors, mobilising the airport community and strengthening strategic leadership for biodiversity are integrated into operational areas. Data collection supports construction planning and ongoing maintenance decisions.

Groupe ADP is currently testing digital systems in European projects with the aim of reducing emissions through improved coordination of aircraft movements and stand allocation. Groupe ADP believes that more efficient sequencing can reduce taxi time and congestion, lowering fuel consumption while maintaining the reliability required for global trade.

Procurement extends sustainability beyond direct operations. Nearly €2 billion is invested annually across the Paris platforms, engaging around 3,000 suppliers, including 700 SMEs. Environmental and social criteria are considered in purchasing decisions, with a strong focus on engaging with local partners, strengthening regional economic resilience while supporting the transition.

In pursuing its decarbonisation strategy, Groupe ADP is seeking to involve all teams across the Group and to work collectively with its stakeholders on airport platforms. The Group is actively participating in the transition of the air transport ecosystem, particularly by facilitating the increasing use of sustainable aviation fuels and accommodating more energy-efficient aircraft.

Through these measures, the airport operates as an integrated system linking mobility, environmental performance and supply chain efficiency, supporting global trade while progressing toward clearly defined sustainability commitments.

Why the sustainable airport matters for global trade

Looking ahead, aviation’s credibility will depend on whether the airport can demonstrate that connectivity and climate responsibility are compatible. If infrastructure is reimagined to lower emissions, integrate cleaner energy and embed community value, then global trade can continue to expand with greater legitimacy.

The sustainable airport is therefore more than an operational upgrade. It signals how aviation intends to earn its place in a low-carbon economy. As expectations rise, those airports that successfully align environmental progress with economic function will define the future of global trade and help restore confidence in how the world moves.