Europe's airport sustainability experts gather in Bologna for the 72nd meeting of ACI EUROPE's Environmental Strategy Committee

More than 80 delegates - experts in airport environmental sustainability from across Europe—gathered in Bologna for the ACI EUROPE Environmental Strategy Committee Meeting, one of the leading international forums for dialogue among airports, institutions, and aviation industry stakeholders on environmental and climate challenges facing the sector.

Organized by ACI EUROPE, the trade association representing more than 600 airports in 55 countries, and hosted by Bologna Airport, the biannual meeting aims to share best practices, develop common strategies, and accelerate the transition toward more sustainable air transport system.

Over the course of two days, participants addressed key issues shaping the future of the industry, including airport decarbonization, progress under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, noise management, and European policies linked to the "Fit for 55" package - a set of legislative proposals designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Discussions also covered regulatory developments related to Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).

Significant attention was devoted to technical sessions and working groups on strategic topics such as:

• green finance and sustainable investment models,
• circular economy practices in airports,
• climate change adaptation and infrastructure resilience,
• new energy technologies and low-emission aircraft.

Among the highlights of the meeting were in-depth sessions focused on operational solutions and mitigation technologies, strategies for building airports resilient to climate change impacts, and updates on European policy frameworks and the sector's future outlook. These discussions reaffirmed ACI EUROPE's central role as a leading platform for coordination and environmental innovation within the airport system.

The programme also included networking sessions, allowing participants to share experiences and challenges in a sector that accounts for approximately 5% of Europe's GDP.

"Hosting the Environmental Strategy Committee has been an important opportunity for Bologna Airport to actively contribute to the European dialogue on the sustainability of air transport—a topic that is increasingly central to the development of the sector and its relationship with local communities," said Tomaso Barilli, Sustainability Manager at Bologna Airport and Chairman of the technical group from 2025.