IGA Istanbul Airport Unveils 2023 Sustainability Report

Adopt a five-year plan to cut emissions by 30% and align key initiatives with quarterly milestones. This commitment translates into life-cycle changes across operations, delivering results amongst stakeholders in istanbul and beyond.

Amongst the portfolio of initiatives, energy efficiency, zero-waste targets, water protection, and the deployment of new technologies will drive reductions in rates and waste generation. The plan covers both in-house facilities and other sites, with clear metrics and governance to ensure progress.

To cement this effort, pursue a financial framework aligned with a certificate of compliance and change-management practices that reward measurable progress. The governance structure will provide a formal commitment to stakeholders and ensure risk controls and transparency.

Target metrics include a 20% reduction in energy intensity, a 15% reduction in water use, and a 60% recycling rate. The zero-waste target will be pursued in key operations, with reduction targets tracked quarterly and publicly shared to demonstrate results.

On the technology front, implement rooftop solar, advanced building management, and smart waste sorting. These technologies reduce energy use, increase recovery rates, and support protection for local communities and ecosystems. Partners will receive a certificate verifying compliance and performance, and reporting will highlight how both sides benefit financially and operationally.

In istanbul, leadership will drive change through cross-functional teams, with life-cycle thinking guiding decisions at every touchpoint, well aligned with suppliers and service providers. The plan supports practical training and knowledge transfer, advancing hand in hand with the broader network.

IGA Istanbul Airport 2023 Sustainability Report: A Practical Overview

Recommendation: adopt a two-track plan that combines on-site renewable energy with aggressive zero-waste initiatives, taking a data-driven approach to deliver concrete outcomes. since 2018, the facility has been committed to improving sustainability, and the latest year shows practical changes that translate into measurable reduction. Also, this strategy aligns with broader European efforts across airports.

1. Energy and renewables

   • Maximize on-site generation and green power purchases to cover a growing share of annual demand, including solar PV with a target of 7.5-10 MW capacity at major terminals and a goal of 25-30% renewables by 2026.
   • Improve energy efficiency with a comprehensive energy management system; real-time data from hand-held meters and fixed sensors support granular control of fans, pumps, and lighting; aim for a 15-20% reduction in energy use per year and a reduction of about 4,000-6,000 tons CO2e annually.
   • Invest in energy protection measures such as heat recovery, high-efficiency transformers, and demand response; track financial savings and reinvest in further efficiency projects.
   • Monitor energy elements across terminals to ensure consistently lower consumption without compromising service quality.

2. Zero-waste and materials management

   • Implement a comprehensive waste program across all zones; divert at least 60% of non-hazardous waste from landfills by 2026; expand composting and recycling streams including packaging reduction and supplier take-backs, with initiatives that have been successfully scaled across sites.
   • Phase out single-use items in outlets and concessions; prefer reusable or compostable alternatives; monitor waste streams for contamination to improve recycling rates and overall reduction of disposal cost.
   • Track tons of waste diverted, including hazardous waste streams, to refine routes and contracts with service providers.

3. Governance and performance management

   • Establish a cross-functional change-management team to coordinate engineering, concessions, and security; set quarterly targets and publish progress in a concise format for stakeholders across Europe.
   • Strengthen supplier commitments with sustainability clauses; require lifecycle assessments and end-of-life plans; drive circular economy principles across procurement.

4. People, training, and academy

   • Launch an academy focused on practical skills for energy, waste, and environmental protection; collaborate with technical partners and European universities to deliver hands-on modules for staff.
   • Empower employees to take initiative, with training that supports change and continuous improvement; track engagement and competency improvements year over year.

5. Financial outcomes and strategic milestones

   • Document cost savings from energy and waste programs; expect payback on major investments within 4-7 years, with ongoing cost avoidance from reduced energy intensity and waste disposal.
   • Balance capital expenditure with operating expense reductions; report net savings and the impact on service quality and user experience across hubs.

6. Regional alignment and other initiatives

   • Leverage renewable energy procurement to support broader European initiatives; share best practices with other airports and networks; pursue joint initiatives that extend beyond a single facility.
   • Adopt a holistic protection approach for local ecosystems and air quality; implement monitoring programs and mitigate emissions from ground support equipment.

Mobility, Decarbonisation, Carbon Pricing, and Social Value: Practical Insights from the Latest Developments in Aviation Operations

Mobility improvements across the airports network start with multimodal hubs and integrated ticketing. Alongside stronger rail and bus links, targeted last‑mile services reduce private car use for both staff and travellers. Initiatives include real‑time journey planning, priority lanes for electric shuttles, and bike‑sharing docks. Monitoring shows gains in user satisfaction and a shift toward public transit, with results measured in lower wait times, reduced congestion, and progress towards a more accessible airport experience.

Decarbonisation hinges on renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, and electrification of ground support equipment. The commitment includes on‑site solar capacity, renewable energy certificates, and long‑term power purchase agreements to reduce the environmental footprint. An energy‑management system tracks consumption, reduces waste heat, and optimizes HVAC and lighting. The target is to cut energy intensity per passenger, while expanding electric fleet usage, which has been reducing emissions year over year.

Carbon pricing and financial initiatives guide capital allocation. An internal price and related rates create predictable price signals for efficiency retrofits, fleet electrification, and building upgrades. This approach aligns with external policies and supports investments alongside other revenue streams, ensuring payback timelines are credible. Early iterations show faster asset renewal and improved decarbonisation results across the network.

Social value generation centers on people and communities. Investments include local procurement, skill-building, and hands-on development through an academy program. Waste management focuses on reducing waste generated and maximizing reuse and recycling; partnerships with local organizations strengthen protection for vulnerable groups. istanbul residents and workers benefit from job opportunities and improved access to sustainable services, alongside transparent reporting on outcomes.

Monitoring and governance ensure progress is tangible. A holistic framework tracks energy, emissions, waste, procurement, and health and safety metrics, with dashboards available to internal teams and external stakeholders. The hand of leadership is visible through cross‑functional teams taking responsibility for performance and continuous improvement. Transparent disclosure supports credibility and invites collaboration with academy partners, industry peers, and city authorities, taking sustainability commitments toward real, practical results.

What mobility innovations will reduce congestion and improve passenger flow?

Рекомендація: deploy a zoned, AI-driven mobility framework that guides people from curb to gate using real-time monitoring, dynamic signage, and boundary-free transfer points, cutting peak dwell times and boosting throughput.

Key initiatives focus on mobility integration: high-frequency rail links and rapid bus corridors synchronized with peak demand, with dedicated curb lanes to ease bottlenecks at arrivals and security checkpoints. Target: shift peak-period arrival rates toward transit modes to 40%, and reduce entry-to-screening times by 20–25%. The plan supports people across mobility needs throughout the journey, including handoffs for customers with limited mobility, in hand with staff support; data will be generated from sensors and staff inputs, with stakeholders from operators, regulators, and the academy guiding changes alongside ongoing monitoring. istanbul’s transit authority and city agencies will ensure alignment with local policies.

The energy backbone will be strengthened via on-site solar, energy storage, and procurement strategies that leverage renewable energy certificate programs. Efficient HVAC zoning, LED lighting, regenerative systems, and demand-response regimes will cut energy use, generating tens of tons of CO2 avoided annually. These measures support sustainability throughout the environment and create a well-balanced setting for people and staff.

Monitoring and governance: A cross-stakeholder framework will track key metrics such as transfer rates, dwell times, and passenger flow rates, with a target to reduce overall congestion by 25–35% during peak periods. The academy will deliver ongoing training to staff, while the financial model accounts for capex and opex with payback in 5–7 years. Initiatives include multi-modal access improvements, curbside management, and data-sharing practices designed to generate clear visibility for change management. The results will be shared throughout the network, with tens of tons of emissions avoided and continuous improvement driving sustainability, safety, and efficiency.

What are the concrete decarbonisation targets for 2023–2030 and how is progress tracked?

The plan uses a 2020 baseline, with a 45% reduction in absolute GHG emissions from facilities and ground operations by 2030, and a 50% drop in energy intensity per passenger versus that year. This tightens the focus on the environment while cutting rates of emissions across core processes and services.

Energy strategy commits to at least 60% of total energy demand being met from renewable sources by 2030, with on‑site generation reaching about 70 GWh annually. Generated power from solar helps stabilize energy costs, while an energy‑management system monitors generation and consumption in real time to optimize efficiency and curb wasteful usage.

Zero‑waste goals aim for a 95% diversion rate by 2030, supported by circular procurement, design for recyclability, and material reuse–elements that reduce landfill reliance and lower disposal costs than prior approaches. Initiatives cover packaging, single‑use reductions, and waste streams across all operations.

Nature‑based actions accompany technical measures: afforestation alongside other green solutions to sequester roughly 10,000 tons CO2e per year by 2030, enhancing biodiversity and contributing to long‑term risk mitigation alongside carbon targets.

Mobility improvements focus on shifting to low‑emission options for staff and visitors, with electric shuttles piloted in high‑traffic zones and incentives for public transit use. By 2030, aim for a majority of on‑site mobility to run on zero‑emission pathways and to reduce personal car dependence as part of a broader mobility strategy.

A centralized monitoring platform collects energy, emissions, and waste data, enabling transparent results that feed into regular reviews with stakeholders. Monthly updates and annual external verification establish a certificate confirming conformance and progress toward targets.

Leadership oversight drives committed action across people and operations, emphasizing life‑cycle thinking, risk awareness, and continuous improvement. Regular reviews produce actionable insights for technology upgrades and process changes, with ongoing communication to partners and other collaborators.

How does Environmental Integrity address energy use, emissions, waste, and water across airport operations?

Recommendation: deploy a centralized data hub to monitor energy use, emissions generated, waste within, and water consumption across the network, with monthly reviews by a cross-functional team. Since inception, initiatives have centered on renewable technologies and efficiency upgrades to drive reducing momentum, supported by a clear roadmap and certification milestones.

Energy focus combines on-site renewables, renewable certificates, and high‑efficiency technologies to shrink demand. Well‑defined targets guide rooftop solar, solar carports, and energy‑management systems, with demand‑response actions aligned to Europe‑standard benchmarks and an academy program that trains people to optimize consumption in real time. From these efforts, energy intensity has fallen steadily, while renewable supply strengthens resilience across facilities.

Emissions management pairs electrification with low‑carbon procurement and process optimization. By electrifying high‑demand systems, shifting to low‑carbon fuels where electrification is incomplete, and consolidating fleet operations, the network aims to reduce rates of CO2e per service activity. The commitment relies on data transparency, supplier certificates, and cross‑site collaboration that keeps both management and frontline teams informed, with steady progress since the launch.

Waste strategy advances zero-waste outcomes through source separation, recycling, composting, and material recovery. A combination of waste‑to‑resource initiatives and reuse streams cuts generated waste while establishing diversion targets aligned with afforestation offsets and circular economy principles. Across sites, these efforts translate into tangible tons of waste diverted from landfill and measurable progress toward circular‑economy goals, supported by training and engagement at the academy and among staff.

Water stewardship strengthens efficiency via low‑flow fixtures, leakage detection, rainwater harvesting, and reuse in cooling and cleaning processes. Regular water audits identify savings, with targets set to reduce consumption per passenger or per operation. These gains are reinforced by partnerships with local communities and suppliers, creating a network of best practices throughout the operation and with partners in Europe, including istanbul‑area facilities, to share lessons learned and accelerate improvements.

How is carbon pricing embedded in project decisions and daily operations to manage risk?

Рекомендація: Adopt an internal price of 60 USD per ton CO2e, rising to 120 USD by 2030, and apply it throughout фінансовий planning, procurement, and operations to bind risk into daily choices.

In project decisions, price signals are included at stage gates, with the carbon cost added to every business case. If the cash flow, when carbon charges are included, fails to meet the target, options such as design optimization, energy efficiency measures, or postponement are selected, reducing exposure to volatility. Also, non-financial risk factors such as regulatory alignment and supplier resilience are assessed.

Daily operations use the price to guide energy use, maintenance scheduling, and mobility plans. Each kWh, liter of fuel, or mile of travel is evaluated against the carbon cost, prompting technologies and actions that cut reduction targets and keep costs predictable for люди через аеропорти and networks throughout europe, including istanbul-linked facilities and partners.

The roadmap includes governance by a cross-functional carbon committee, life-cycle thinking, and continuous monitoring across assets. Results are tracked on a centralized dashboard with indicators such as tons reduced, efficiency gains, and progress toward the target; stakeholders receive transparent updates.

Initiatives span energy-efficiency programs, on-site technologies, and low-emission mobility; afforestation and protection projects offset residual emissions. Data-driven oversight ensures alignment with europe-wide regulations and external partners, also strengthening change management across the network.

Monitoring systems aggregate life-cycle data to feed risk dashboards, clarifying фінансовий implications for all люди involved and for аеропорти operators in europe; including istanbul-based teams, suppliers, and local communities.

This approach creates a change amongst teams and partners toward proactive emission management, builds a robust roadmap for future efficiency, and delivers measurable results such as lower tons of CO2e year over year.

What value does sustainability deliver to guests and employees with concrete programs and metrics?

Adopt a transparent dashboard and publish quarterly results for guests and staff, linking energy, mobility, waste and people metrics to a clear roadmap with targets.

Focus areas and concrete programs are designed alongside technologies and partnerships across europe, delivering measurable value to both guests and people. Generated results reinforce the commitment with a certificate program for supplier partners and a clear life-cycle focus that guides procurement and operations.

• Guest experience and comfort
  1. Achieve consistent comfort and safety: maintain public-area temperatures within a tight band and ensure indoor air quality targets are met; monitor these metrics continuously, with alerts when limits are approached.
  2. Provide sustainable options: guest-facing information on renewable energy sourcing, low-emission transport choices, and circular services; guests can opt for greener pathways with a simple hand gesture in-app or on-site.
  3. Demonstrate impact through data: display a live energy trade-off and recycling rates via a guest portal, improving trust and willingness to participate in sustainable choices.
  4. Targeted reductions: energy intensity per guest and per operation are tracked, driving reductions that also lower operating costs for guests and operators.
• Employee wellbeing and capability
  1. Skill development: every employee earns a sustainability certificate upon completing focused training, with annual hours of learning rising steadily year over year.
  2. Health and safety: wellbeing programs reduce illness-related days, while ergonomics and comfortable environments improve focus and performance across teams.
  3. Participation and recognition: formal channels for staff to contribute to the roadmap strengthen engagement and accountability alongside leadership.
  4. Transparent voice: regular town-hall sessions with stakeholders ensure concerns are addressed, and progress is translated into concrete actions.
• Cross-cutting performance and governance
  1. Energy and renewables: increase renewable electricity share toward a defined target; deploy on-site solar where feasible and secure off-site power purchases to diversify sources.
  2. Afforestation and nature-based offsets: implement afforestation projects covering hundreds of hectares, with results offsetting thousands of tons CO2e annually and contributing to biodiversity goals.
  3. Materials and waste: push circularity with robust recycling, reuse, and repair streams; track diversion rates and reduce waste from operations over time.
  4. Roadmap and accountability: a published plan with milestones, rates of progress and independent verification; certificates validate milestones and strengthen credibility.
  5. Stakeholder engagement: ongoing dialogue with partners, regulators and the local community ensures the roadmap remains practical, credible and aligned with broader European commitments.

Concrete measurements underpin action: energy consumption reduced by double-digit percentages annually, with a renewable mix climbing toward the target; afforestation initiatives add to life-cycle benefits and community value; tons of CO2 avoided and resources redirected toward more sustainable operations demonstrate ongoing momentum. Every initiative emphasizes both people and processes, ensuring visible, lasting results that align with a comprehensive strategy across the network and its stakeholders.