Tallinn Airport Aims to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2025
The Airport of Tallinn, over the past three years, has achieved a 25% reduction in carbon emissions. Furthermore, the measures implemented by the airport last year and continued this year will enable it to become a carbon-neutral aviation hub by 2025 - five years earlier than originally planned, according to the International Airport Review.
"We have set ourselves an ambitious goal to become a carbon-neutral airport by 2030, but the steps we have taken in recent years, especially last year, will allow us to achieve this by 2025. Last year, our carbon footprint was 25% lower than in 2019, and projections indicate a further 50% reduction this year. Significant reductions in 2022 were mainly achieved through the construction of solar power plants and the transition to centralized heating, but we still need to take many significant steps to fully achieve our goal," said Riivo Tuvike , the CEO of the airport.
He also noted that reducing emissions from fossil fuels is important due to the airport's size and the movement of service vehicles within the airport premises.
"We started testing Neste MY fuel, derived from renewable energy sources, in April, and as of early June, we have ceased purchasing diesel fuel based on fossil fuels. By next year at the latest, most of the vehicles operating at the airport will run on Neste MY fuel made from renewable resources or electricity. We also adhere to the principle that any new vehicles we purchase must have zero emissions, and all technologies we use at the airport should not emit harmful substances by 2030," explained Riivo Tuvike .
Neste MY Renewable Diesel, made from 100% environmentally friendly renewable materials, reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 90% throughout the fuel's life cycle compared to fossil diesel.
Transitioning to 100% green energy is also crucial for the airport. "Starting next year, we will only procure and use renewable energy sources, and to increase our independence, we will continue to build solar power plants at our airports across the country," said Tuvike.
Currently, there are 15 solar power plants operating in Estonia's airports, generating 6,470 kW of electricity.