SEA – Società Esercizi Aeroportuali – is the company managing Milan’s airports, Malpensa and Linate. On 20 May, SEA announced it will pursue an important goal: reaching a net level of 0 CO2 emissions by 2030, and not 2050 as previously planned.
The Announcement
During the second summit of the Airport Council International- Europe (ACI) about Sustainability in the aviation industry, SEA announced its plan to reach the ambitious goal of 0 net CO2 emissions by 2030, instead of the previously set target of 2050. Other 91 European airports announced that they too plan to anticipate the 0 CO2 emissions goal to 2030.
This announcement fosters the ambitious plan of the European Union to reduce greenhouse emissions by 55% within 2030. Airports in the continent have been implementing measures to reduce emissions since 2019. Reducing greenhouse emissions produced by airports is a significant challenge for the aviation industry, which is now facing its worst crisis due to the pandemic. Nonetheless, the European airports’ community is firmly convinced that becoming a more sustainable industry is vital, and it is determined to reach this goal.
In total, 235 airports are engaged in the challenge of eliminating CO2 net emissions by 2050.
SEA and its Green Pathway
SEA has been working very hard on reducing greenhouse gasses since 2009. Now, Milan’s airports have been certified with a level 3+ of carbon neutrality by the Airport Carbon Accreditation; SEA wants to implement measures to foster its path towards a more sustainable future in Italy and Europe.
To reach this goal, the company will need political support, research contribution, and considerable investments in green solutions. Jost Lammers, President of ACI Europe and CEO of Munich Airport, publicly thanked SEA for raising the bar and anticipating the vital goal of becoming eco-friendly airports. This decision will play an essential role in making EU policy on climate change a reality.
How important do you think these actions are in making the aviation industry more eco-friendly? Let us know in the comments below.
