IGA Istanbul Airport Raises the Bar with Its Sustainability Targets

To boost credibility, begin by tying every project at IGA Istanbul Airport to explicit, public goals and to a steady cadence of reporting, keeping emissions in check by applying lifecycle analyses to each terminal improvement and to projects carried out across international networks. Engage partners early to align on shared climate targets, and document activities at every gate, throughout the terminal complex. The most ambitious plans extend beyond a single contract and trace outcomes across the campus, from construction to operations, while addressing greenhouse gas footprints.

The bilgen perspective emphasizes that sustainabilty targets span energy efficiency, water reuse, waste reduction, and greenhouse gas management, carried by efforts across the terminal and related facilities. The goals are reaching milestones across energy, water, and materials, with contracts requiring suppliers to demonstrate progress on specific KPIs embedded in projects. This framework ties procurement to performance, encouraging international suppliers to align with high standards and ensuring data transparency for stakeholders.

Throughout its program, IGA coordinates with contractors, partners, and international bodies to ensure alignment from design to operation. The terminal and its surrounding activities will showcase sustainabilty improvements carried by projects with measurable outcomes. By prioritizing low-carbon materials, on-site generation, and smart cooling, the airport curbs greenhouse gas footprints across the campus. With Bilgen’s guidance, contract terms incentivize reaching higher performance levels and transparent progress reports that keep efforts visible to international partners.

What is IGA Istanbul Airport’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions across terminals and operations?

Adopt a phased, data-driven plan that targets a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions across all terminals and operations by 2030, prioritising solar investment, fleet electrification, and energy optimization. The plan is documented in the masterplan and in the september performance report published on your website.

Solar will be installed on terminal rooftops and carports, aiming for 60-100 MW capacity by 2030. The GSE fleet and service vehicles will shift to electric power, targeting 75% electrified equipment by 2029. AI-based HVAC controls and heat-recovery systems will cut cooling and heating loads by 20-30% during peak periods, boosting the overall performance. LED lighting retrofits, envelope improvements, and advanced metering will push energy efficiency to the next level at each terminal and across operations, carrying out on-site activities more efficiently. This has been designed with milestones that are practical, and it sets a clear path for responsibility at every level across regional teams.

diego, an energy engineer, highlights that the plan assigns clear responsibility to terminal managers and the operations teams, with ongoing engagement sessions to align maintenance, procurement, and energy performance at every level. The strategy also strengthens water stewardship through water reuse for landscaping and toilet flushing, reducing potable water use in a regional framework. The regional procurement approach mirrors similar programs at other airports, helping to lower transport emissions across the value chain. The emphasis on service quality stays intact, with a focus on reliability and passenger experience.

To verify progress, the team will pursue ISO 50001 certification and maintain a certificate for energy management, with a target by 2026. The plan will be reviewed quarterly, and progress will be shared via the company report and on the website. This approach sets a standard for the world. The engagement plan includes employee training, performance dashboards, and transparent reporting that supports best practice and ongoing improvement in sustainable aviation.

Which energy-saving projects will lower on-site energy use and peak demand?

Begin with a concrete plan: install demand-controlled ventilation across key zones and upgrade to LED lighting with smart occupancy sensors to lower on-site energy use and reduce peak demand within 12 months. Expect HVAC energy savings of 15–25% and lighting savings of 40–60%, depending on current fixtures and controls. Implement these quick wins through a published program and track progress with weekly dashboards.

These improvements form a modular project portfolio that emphasizes a circular approach: DCV optimization, LED retrofit, high-efficiency motors with variable speed drives on fans and pumps, energy recovery ventilation, and advanced BMS integration. All activities align with the contract and sit within a plan that sets clear points for performance reviews and milestones.

On the generation and storage side, deploy solar PV on rooftops and canopies with modular battery storage to shave peak demand and offset a portion of annual energy use. This renewable installation reduces grid dependency during busy periods, supports a zero-emission operation, and aligns with a value-driven roadmap. Spanish suppliers are coordinating with aurrigo installation teams to ensure smooth delivery, while the project ecosystem progresses toward awarded certification for energy performance.

To sustain momentum, establish a robust engagement framework that coordinates operators, maintenance teams, and contractors. Ensure contract clauses link a portion of payments to realized savings, publish quarterly activity logs, and maintain a transparent plan that highlights the contributions of diego and the broader team. This approach fosters continuous improvement, maintains momentum within the program, and reinforces the move toward renewable, zero-emission outcomes.

Implementation roadmap

Phase 1 (0–12 months): implement DCV in priority zones, complete LED retrofits in non-critical areas, and integrate controls into the building management system to deliver immediate reductions in peak demand.

Phase 2 (12–36 months): install variable-speed drives on fans and pumps, optimize heat recovery ventilation, and upgrade cooling plant with economizers and high-efficiency exchangers to deepen energy savings.

Phase 3 (3–5 years): deploy on-site solar PV at scale with battery storage, establish a microgrid or islanding capability for critical operations, pursue further circular-energy measures, and seek ongoing certification updates to demonstrate ongoing performance gains.

What are the renewable energy targets and the planned on-site generation capacity?

IGA Istanbul Airport focuses on people-centered decisions, creating value by turning renewables into a core operating capability. The plan, created with stakeholders from local communities and international partners, is prepared to meet the highest standards while moving on-site generation into daily use. The first phase targets rooftop and canopy solar to capture near-term gains, with a clear path to 60 MW of on-site capacity by 2030. in september 2024, a study informed milestones and, alongside a diego-led working group, carried out ongoing reviews to align actions with the goal and ensure other teams meet commitments. The approach aims for near-zero grid reliance during peak hours and a broader shift toward sustainable operations.

• Total on-site generation target: 60 MW by 2030, with an initial milestone of 25 MW online by 2026 focused on rooftops and canopies.
• Component mix and capacity build: 25 MW from rooftop/canopy solar in the first phase; 10–20 MWh of storage to support stability and flexibility; and additional 25 MW from ground-mounted/adjacent sites as feasibility carries forward.
• Reductions and resilience: expect reductions of peak grid draw by about 40–50%, lowering energy costs and improving reliability across operations.
• Governance and inclusivity: the program represents a collaborative effort with basic engagement of local suppliers and international partners, ensuring inclusivity and long-term value creation.
• Alternative opportunities: the plan also explores wind, waste-heat recovery, and other on-site options where feasible to supplement solar totals.

Implementation and next steps

1. Complete feasibility and site optimization studies by september 2025, guided by international benchmarks and a diego-led team to identify best locations for ground-mounted arrays and storage sizing.
2. Finalize financing, procurement, and installation roadmaps for solar and storage by 2025–2026, with a focus on local sourcing and stakeholder engagement to accelerate delivery.
3. Begin construction in 2026 and initiate operation of the first phase by 2027, with continuous performance monitoring and adjustments to meet the 2030 capacity goal.

How will water use, waste management, and wastewater handling support sustainability goals?

Adopt masterplan-aligned water-management platforms across all facilities by july, within two years, with fully integrated installation and sensors, meters, and control systems to cut potable-water use and increase rainwater and greywater reuse.

Implement low-flow fixtures, optimize cooling towers, and install rainwater harvesting to supply non-potable water. Use dashboards to track density of water use per user and set targets for reaching a 25% decrease by july 2026. Create awareness programs in multiple languages, including spanish, to keep the user and frontline teams committed and aligned with what the masterplan specifies.

Establish segregated waste streams at the installation level with clear targets and a simple intake process. Pilot alternative disposal routes, including waste-to-energy, to increase diversion. Use the same platforms to support project-wide improvements, prioritising actions by field impact and potential return on investment. Track density of waste and diversion rates within monthly reports to sustain momentum. carrying momentum across sites will require disciplined data-sharing.

Install modular wastewater-treatment systems near key facilities to allow reuse for toilet flushing and landscaping. Use automatic controls to manage aeration and sludge density; ensure effluent meets local standards; coordinate with climate resilience by reducing discharge. This sustainabilty approach aligns with the climate strategy.

Commit to a stepwise rollout that links water, waste, and wastewater actions to the masterplan, with a clear order of priorities and a disciplined investment plan. Use regular reviews in july to track what works, assign ownership in field operations, and reinforce awareness across all teams. Focus on climate targets and ensure the fleet and installation teams are carrying performance gains into each new project.

How will performance be tracked, reported, and verified to meet targets?

Implement a centralized program with a standard data framework that links targets to concrete actions across energy, water, wastewater, waste, and fleet operations. Assign clear responsibility to an employee for each domain, and use approved data sources to drive monthly dashboards and quarterly reviews. Stored data from meters, SCADA, water and wastewater systems, and telematics for fleet and vehicles feeds into a unified view that highlights where prioritising efficiency creates value and moves the journey toward targets forward.

Define terms of reference and a governance structure that ensures functional, auditable processes, with a dedicated owner for each metric. Align the program with a major standard for data quality, publishing transparent results that support continuous improvement and stakeholder trust. Ensure the sustainability team can act quickly on findings, supported by a stored, traceable trail of data and actions that demonstrate ongoing commitment to sustainabilty and responsible operations.

Data collection, metrics, and reporting cadence

Track energy intensity per passenger, water use per million passengers, wastewater treatment efficiency, and waste diversion rates against approved thresholds. Include fleet and vehicles data to monitor fuel consumption and emissions per kilometer. Use related service and stakeholder feedback to contextualize numbers, and translate raw data into actionable insights with clear performance narratives. Schedule monthly dashboards for internal leadership and quarterly verifications by an independent party to validate accuracy and completeness. Maintain a consistent cadence that keeps targets visible and aligns with procurement, maintenance, and operations planning.

Verification and accountability

Establish an external verification plan with an approved methodology and a defined cooperation protocol to ensure objectivity. Require third-party audits at least annually, with interim checks to confirm data integrity and methodological consistency. Create a corrective action log, assign owners, and set deadlines to close gaps, reinforcing responsibility across major departments. Ensure all data, findings, and action outcomes are stored securely and accessible to stakeholders, reinforcing trust in reported progress and the value delivered by the program.