New data has revealed how 1,300 of the world's airports impact the climate and air quality—and for Europe, the news is discouraging. Three European airports are among the most polluting in the world, despite claims of striving to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This was reported by Euronews, according to UNN.
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A new study by the think tank ODI Global, conducted in collaboration with the organization Transport and Environment (T&E), identified the top ten most polluting airports based on an analysis of the climate and air quality impacts of 1,300 international aviation hubs.
According to the analysis, based on 2023 data (the latest available statistics), the aviation industry would rank fifth in the world for emissions if it were a separate country.
The Ten Most Polluting Airports
Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, which is the world's largest transit hub, was recognized as the most polluting: its emissions amounted to 23.2 million tons of CO2.
London Heathrow in the United Kingdom followed closely in second place with 21 million tons of CO2, while Los Angeles International Airport came in third (18.8 million tons).
Together, these three airports generate three times more CO2 emissions than the entire city of Paris.
Fourth place was taken by Seoul Incheon Airport in South Korea, followed by New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Next on the list are Hong Kong, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Frankfurt Airport in Germany.
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Globally, just 100 airports account for approximately two-thirds of all CO2 emissions from passenger flights. At the same time, European airports emit more CO2 than all major airports in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa combined.
"An industry dependent on fossil fuels"
T&E stated that the new data indicates the aviation industry is still "off course" regarding the achievement of net-zero emissions.
"By allowing an industry dependent on fossil fuels to continue expanding through increased airport capacity, we are only exacerbating aviation's primary vulnerability," said Denise Auclair of T&E.
"In most European capitals and regions, the economic arguments for airport expansion are no longer supported by current data. It is time to finally prioritize our energy independence and the health of our citizens."
ODI Global research fellow Sam Pickard warns that while many industries have been gradually reducing their emissions since the historic 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, aviation's carbon footprint continues to grow steadily.
"And at the same time, we continue to regularly hear about airport expansion plans that ignore the fact that aviation is significantly bucking the general trend regarding emission reductions," Pickard adds.
"This can no longer be hidden behind vague promises to increase the use of expensive so-called sustainable aviation fuel or weak carbon offset mechanisms. We urgently need a real strategy and a roadmap that includes demand management."
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