Mobility is part of our everyday lives – and has so far been associated with climate-damaging emissions. Flying also produces greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Air transport accounts for approximately 3 to 5 per cent of global warming caused by humans. But that is set to change.
Travellers at Stuttgart Airport can already improve the carbon footprint of their journey.
Less luggage means fewer emissions
Travelling light helps the climate: every extra kilo in your suitcase increases the weight of the aircraft – and therefore its fuel consumption. So packing less is not only good for your back, but also for the environment.
Climate-friendly travel to the airport
Stuttgart Airport is one of the best-connected locations in Baden-Württemberg. Travelling by S-Bahn, Stadtbahn or bus is better for the environment. You can also travel in an environmentally friendly way by using an electric car or car sharing.
It pays to stay longer
If you travel far, you should also spend more time at your destination. This makes your flight more efficient. The environmental protection organisation WWF recommends a minimum stay of 8 days for destinations of up to 2,000 kilometres away, such as from STR to Crete. For long-distance travel, it should ideally be 15 days or more. Conscious travel ensures relaxation and leaves more time to get to know the country and its people better.
Environmentally friendly accommodation
When choosing accommodation, it is worth checking for environmental certificates. Whether hotel, hostel or campsite – certified accommodation providers implement measures designed to reduce resource consumption. It is best to check this when booking.
An example: a flight from Stuttgart to Crete generates around 550 kilograms of CO₂ – roughly twice as much is generated by a return flight. The actual emissions depend on the flight distance and the type of aircraft used.
Tip: If you want to know exactly, you can calculate and offset your CO₂ emissions online. The offsetting price depends on the flight connection.
With a voluntary contribution, you can support climate protection projects worldwide. The emissions from a journey are saved elsewhere, where they would otherwise have been generated by fossil fuels.
An example: in Honduras a small hydropower plant generates clean electricity for neighbouring villages. This saves around 36,000 tonnes of CO₂ every year. At the same time, the project contributes to sustainable development in the region through technology transfer, education and local value creation.
atmosfair operates according to the highest quality standards. All projects are certified and independently verified. All climate impacts are taken into account when calculating compensation costs. A receipt will be issued for every donation.
Flying with sustainable fuel
Fly on SAF enables fossil kerosene to be replaced by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This fuel is produced from renewable raw materials such as agricultural waste and offers several advantages:
SAF is still more expensive than conventional fuel and currently accounts for only about 0.1 per cent of global production. By choosing Fly on SAF, you are improving your carbon footprint and supporting the transition to more sustainable air travel.
The sustainable aviation fuel is refuelled at an airport near the production site. This means that there are no additional emissions or costs due to long transport routes. The impact of your participation will be confirmed by a verified certificate.
Synthetic, electricity-based fuels and new propulsion technologies are considered key to more climate-friendly flights. To enable change, we need joint commitment.
Aircraft manufacturers , airlines and airports are driving technological progress forward – each with the aim of making air travel fit for the future
More efficient engines for lower emissions
Modern aircraft consume significantly less fuel than previous generations and therefore emit less CO₂. Stuttgart Airport is sending a strong signal here: targeted innovation funding is being used to support airlines in deploying lower-emission and quieter aircraft.
Since mid-2019, the airport’s charging regulations have provided financial incentives for the use of modern aircraft. Models such as the Airbus A320neo and A321neo now land regularly at STR – a step towards more climate-friendly flying.
Sustainable kerosene
Sustainably produced kerosene has also been a reality for some time now. It has already been tested successfully. The so-called power-to-liquid process allows liquid fuel to be produced from renewable electricity – although currently only on a limited scale.
One example of this is the facility set up by the non-profit organisation atmosfair. Together with its partner Solarbelt, it has been producing e-kerosene in Germany since 2021. Stuttgart Airport subsidises the use of such fuels through its fee schedule.
Flying electrically
The future of flying takes off at Stuttgart Airport
H2FLY GmbH – a spin-off of the University of Ulm and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) – is working on emission-free air transport. The research is supported by Stuttgart Airport with targeted funding.
The innovative Hy4 fuel cell aircraft made its world premiere at STR in 2016. It flies purely on electric power and can currently carry up to four people. To further advance this development, the first electric passenger aircraft will be allowed to take off and land in Stuttgart free of charge for one year.
It will take some time before these innovations are available on a large scale and at competitive prices. Clear framework conditions are needed to make climate-friendly flying the standard. An industrial policy strategy can pave the way here – for example, through targeted promotion and expansion of sustainable production capacities for alternative fuels. The transition in air transport will only succeed if sufficient quantities are available.
Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH (FSG) can only have an indirect impact on the climate footprint of flying. Nevertheless, it is providing important impetus for greater sustainability in aviation through targeted technology promotion and financial incentives.
You can directly influence your own operations – and this is where the airport takes responsibility: the Destination STRzero programme is continuously reducing the CO₂ footprint The goal is to operate Baden-Württemberg’s regional airport with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
