To lead climate-conscious transformation in the global aviation sector, airport operator Aena has unveiled a comprehensive Climate Action Plan for its 17 airport concessions in Brazil, with the intent of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 and reaching net zero emissions by 2040.
This move signals a deepening of Aena’s commitment to decarbonising air transport infrastructure and reflects an evolution in global airport management that aligns operational efficiency with environmental integrity. Aena’s plan comes with a robust investment of over R$260 million, largely directed towards replacing conventional airport vehicles with cleaner alternatives. The implementation has already begun at Congonhas Airport with the introduction of ten electric buses, a move that alone is expected to reduce approximately 464 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually—eliminating nearly a quarter of the company’s mobile combustion emissions in Brazil. This first step marks the beginning of a systemic reorientation of airport logistics around sustainability principles.
Structured around the core tenets of renewable energy, operational efficiency, clean mobility, and ecosystem restoration, the plan builds on lessons from Aena’s earlier climate strategy in Spain. The Brazilian arm now aims to ensure that by 2027, all electricity used across its airport operations is sourced from certified renewables, primarily through photovoltaic infrastructure and clean energy procurement. In parallel, efforts are underway to modernise terminal infrastructure with LED lighting, intelligent power systems, and automated operations to drive down energy use.
A particularly notable feature is the goal of converting 100% of Aena Brazil’s fleet to electric or hybrid vehicles by 2040. Until that transition is complete, the fleet will run on biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol. To facilitate broader adoption of clean transport, charging stations are being planned at all airports. Complementing these efforts are wastewater treatment upgrades, with new aerobic systems planned in key hubs such as Recife by 2035, and others to follow across the northeast network by 2040.
Aena is also investing in carbon offsetting through certified credits starting 2035, and in circular economy programmes to reduce and repurpose waste across airport operations. These initiatives are backed by governance reforms including the creation of a dedicated Sustainability Committee to monitor progress and engage stakeholders—from employees to passengers—in environmental education campaigns.
What sets this initiative apart is not only its technical ambition but its cross-sectoral approach. Aena aims to act as a facilitator of wider aviation decarbonisation, promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels, enhancing ground operations, and working with partners to improve air traffic management. It also plans to expand green mobility options for passengers and employees, while embedding sustainability requirements into contracts with ride-hailing and rental companies.
The Climate Action Plan aligns with both the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the emissions benchmarks set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. By placing environmental responsibility at the heart of airport management, Aena’s Brazil initiative underscores the possibility of marrying infrastructure growth with climate stewardship. As aviation faces pressure to align with global climate commitments, Aena’s proactive approach may set a new benchmark in how emerging markets can lead by example in the sustainable transformation of transport ecosystems.
Aena commits to net zero goal across all Brazil airport operations
