STRzero
Stuttgart Airport has a clear goal: to be net greenhouse gas-neutral by 2040. The STRzero climate strategy shows the way forward – binding and ambitious.
The operation of an airport has an impact on the environment – that is undisputed. Stuttgart Airport can contribute in many areas to reducing noise, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and waste, as well as protecting adjacent water bodies and biodiversity. Wherever possible, environmental impact is reduced in a targeted manner.
STR has established environmental protection as a strategic corporate goal . Environmental policy is an integral part of the fairport code and is binding for all employees. The airport's environmental management system is certified according to EMAS (Eco Management and Audit Scheme). This enables operational environmental performance to be systematically managed and continuously improved.
Stuttgart Airport is continuously improving the energy efficiency of its facilities, focusing on systematic energy management and supporting low-emission mobility.
Environmentally friendly electricity comes from photovoltaic systems on the airport grounds, covering an area of more than 19,600 square metres. The combined heat and power plant has been contributing to energy and heat generation since 2013. This has already reduced climate-damaging emissions by 23 per cent. With STRzero, there are plans to replace the system with a heat pump. FSG obtains all of the additional electricity it requires from renewable sources.
The airport’s electric fleet is in operation on the apron – quiet and emission-free. The aim is to handle aircraft on the ground in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Passengers and baggage are transported between the terminal and aircraft using electric vehicles – emission-free. These vehicles are powered by their own charging stations. In addition to electric passenger buses, these include baggage tractors, battery-powered vans, freight tractors, conveyor belts, high loaders and many other special vehicles. For vehicles without electric drive, synthetic diesel (HVO) is used at STR. This is significantly less polluting than fossil fuels.
Together with airlines, ground handling partners and DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH, Stuttgart Airport is optimising processes on the apron. The Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) programme reduces the taxiing time of aircraft on their way to the runway, thereby keeping fuel consumption as low as possible. Around 740 tonnes of CO₂ were saved in the first year alone.
Although airport operators have only limited influence over emissions from air traffic, Stuttgart Airport is nevertheless active in this area. The remuneration scheme is the first in Germany to provide financial incentives for the use of synthetic electricity-based kerosene and for electric flying.
Electric flying is also being specifically promoted, including through research funding. in 2016 Hy4 took off from Stuttgart Airport on the world’s first emission-free passenger flight powered by fuel cells. The four-seater aircraft was developed by Stuttgart-based technology company H2FLY. The propulsion system for a 30-seat aircraft is currently being further developed.
With structured environmental management and innovative technologies, Stuttgart Airport is working consistently to reduce CO₂ emissions on the ground and, as far as possible, in the air too. For this achievement, STR was awarded the optimisation level by Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA).
The climate protection initiative of the European airport association ACI Europe assesses the CO₂ management of airports in several consecutive stages:
Conserving resources, protecting the environment
Stuttgart Airport is committed to treating the environment and resources responsibly, going beyond what is required by law. Environmentally friendly waste management, protection of adjacent water bodies and measures to preserve biodiversity on the airport grounds contribute to a steady reduction in the ecological footprint.
The aim is to avoid waste as much as possible. Where this is not possible, Stuttgart Airport has been committed to high-quality recycling for many years. The recycling rate is 98 per cent. Waste is sorted at the airport’s own waste management centre – not only waste from the airport, but also from other companies on the campus. Around 60 different types of waste are sorted into separate categories.
Two examples: the rubber abrasion that occurs during take-off and landing on the runway is thermally recycled. The green waste from mowing is sent to the biogas plant in Leinfelden-Echterdingen.
Sustainable construction
Stuttgart Airport is a sought-after location for businesses. FSG is continuously developing the office and retail space on the site – in line with demand and, for reasons of space, mostly upwards. The total portfolio now comprises around 550,000 square metres, including parking space.
FSG is the first airport company in Germany to have the entire Stuttgart Airport City business district pre-certified according to the criteria of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB e.V.). In addition to technical and economic aspects, ecological and socio-cultural criteria play a central role in all construction projects – right from the start.
Flood protection and drainage
Drainage management at Stuttgart Airport deliberately goes beyond legal requirements. The infrastructure is prepared for heavy rainfall: high-performance systems divert rainwater from the runway, taxiways and apron into underground treatment and retention basins with a total volume of over 100,000 cubic metres. The basins are crucial for flood protection – they prevent large quantities of water from flowing uncontrollably into surrounding streams, lakes or residential areas.
The discharge of uncontaminated surface water is also strictly regulated and only permitted with the approval of the competent authorities. Since the 1990s, FSG has invested over EUR 120 million in protecting groundwater and public waters. Their quality has improved steadily ever since – an important contribution to environmental protection in the region.
De-icing and water protection
To ensure that aircraft can take off safely in frosty conditions, they are treated with a biodegradable de-icing agent. Modern devices ensure economical dosing and adjust the mixing ratio according to weather conditions. Special tanks under the de-icing positions collect the remaining liquid. This is then pre-treated biologically before being discharged into public waters after careful cleaning. This reduces the organic carbon content.
Chemical de-icing agents are only used when snow and ice cannot be removed mechanically. In addition, Stuttgart Airport offers financial incentives for particularly environmentally friendly de-icing: the amount of the fee is based on the quantity used.
Almost half of the approximately 400-hectare site is covered with smooth oat grass and red fescue meadows. These areas provide habitats for numerous plants and animals. The diversity of species is preserved through targeted green space management.
Every year, some 650 tonnes of grass clippings are produced during mowing. Hohenheim University regularly analyses the clippings – so far without any evidence of contamination. This also applies to the honey produced by the bee colonies that have settled on the site near the runway. Since 2012, the State Institute for Apiculture has confirmed that flight operations have no negative impact on honey quality. The bees thus contribute to biomonitoring.
Clean air is a fundamental prerequisite for health and quality of life. The precautionary principle therefore applies at STR. Air quality is continuously monitored – all relevant data on air pollution control and pollutant minimisation is analysed regularly.
The vehicle fleet is gradually being converted to electric drive. Vehicles that still run on combustion engines refuel with synthetic diesel (HVO). It produces significantly less soot, particulate matter and CO₂ than conventional fuel, improving air quality on the apron and creating healthier working conditions.
Nevertheless, ultra-fine particles (UFP) are also produced at Stuttgart Airport during natural and technical combustion processes, particularly in aircraft engines. The airport takes its responsibility towards its employees and its environment seriously. In order to incorporate new scientific findings at an early stage, the FSG is in regular contact with authorities and other airports regarding the latest findings on UFPs.
