Monday, August 4, 2025
Croatia: Zagreb Airport has continued its sustainability journey by reaching Level 4 ‘Transformation’ of the Airports Carbon Accreditation (ACA), a significant achievement for the airport. The accolade also reflects the airport’s strategy to address climate change and further develop its ongoing carbon reduction initiatives. With the ACA program coming on board at Zagreb airport in 2012, it has been nothing but improving and progressive steps to sustainability since then with this recent accolade making net zero-carbon by 2050 a certainty.
Commitment to Climate Action
Level 4 of the ACA, also known as “Optimization,” marks an important stage in the airport’s climate action strategy. At this level, Zagreb Airport has committed to reducing its absolute carbon emissions in line with the guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). As part of its climate strategy, the airport has set long-term carbon reduction targets and has developed a comprehensive Stakeholder Partnership Plan. This plan emphasizes collaboration with third-party organizations at the airport to drive further emissions reductions throughout the entire airport community.
The airport’s sustainability plan is robust and multifaceted, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and innovative technologies. Zagreb Airport has shown its dedication to reducing environmental impact across various operational areas, ensuring that its operations contribute positively to Croatia’s broader climate action goals.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Initiatives
Zagreb Airport’s focus on energy efficiency is evident through numerous initiatives aimed at reducing energy consumption and minimizing carbon emissions. One of the significant measures taken has been the replacement of halogen lighting with energy-efficient LED lighting across the airport. This move, alongside the ongoing expansion of solar infrastructure, is helping to reduce electricity consumption while promoting the use of clean, renewable energy.
In addition, Zagreb Airport is working on improving the thermal efficiency of older buildings by upgrading insulation and implementing energy-saving boiler systems. Solar energy is increasingly being used for hot water production, reducing the reliance on conventional energy sources. Further, the airport is committed to transitioning from diesel generators to hydrogen-ready systems, which will further reduce emissions in the coming years.
Another key area of focus is the management of the airport’s energy resources. By enhancing its building management systems, the airport is optimizing the consumption of electricity, water, gas, and oil. This is being achieved through improved HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, which help minimize waste and reduce overall energy consumption. A lifecycle management plan has also been put in place, ensuring that outdated equipment is systematically replaced with more energy-efficient alternatives over time.
Solar Power and Electric Vehicles: The Road Ahead
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Zagreb Airport installed a 250-kW solar power plant in 2025, marking a significant step in increasing its renewable energy capacity. This installation is just the beginning, with plans to expand the solar power capacity further in the near future. The airport has also transitioned to sourcing all its electricity from renewable providers, effectively eliminating Scope 2 emissions since 2022.
Zagreb Airport is also taking steps to reduce emissions from its vehicle fleet. By 2050, the airport plans to replace more than 64% of its vehicle fleet with electric and low-carbon alternatives. This transition is expected to deliver a significant reduction of 795.61 tonnes of CO₂ annually, making a meaningful contribution to the airport’s overall carbon reduction targets.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Collaboration lies at the heart of Zagreb Airport’s sustainability strategy. The airport has worked diligently with airlines, service providers, and the local community to create a cohesive approach to emission reductions. The introduction of the Stakeholder Partnership Plan reflects the airport’s dedication to engaging all stakeholders in its decarbonization efforts.
A critical component of this plan is addressing Scope 3 emissions, which stem from the broader supply chain and airport activities beyond the direct operations of the airport itself. Through the Stakeholder Partnership Plan, Zagreb Airport is supporting the decarbonization efforts of all parties involved, ensuring a unified approach to reducing emissions throughout the airport ecosystem.
Zagreb Airport has also collaborated with the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar on an energy renovation study for five of its buildings. This study has forecasted annual CO₂ savings of at least 67.6 tonnes, further enhancing the airport’s environmental credentials.
Looking to the Future
Zagreb Airport’s progress towards achieving Level 4 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation is a testament to the airport’s commitment to sustainability and climate action. With its comprehensive approach, which includes energy efficiency measures, renewable energy adoption, and collaboration with stakeholders, the airport is well on its way to meeting its net zero target by 2050.
The campaign of the airport is said to help Croatia meet its climate targets and serve as a model for other airports worldwide, showing that sustainability and economic growth can be achieved together. These measures are evidence of Zagreb Airport leading the aviation industry into a greener, more sustainable era.
