Climate
and Resources
The operation of an airport has an impact on the environment – that is beyond dispute. Stuttgart Airport can play a part in many areas to help reduce noise, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and waste, as well as to protect neighbouring water bodies and biodiversity. Wherever possible, we take targeted measures to reduce environmental impact. Our environmental policy is an integral part of fairportCode and is binding on all staff.
The airport operates an environmental management system certified under EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme). This ensures that the airport’s environmental performance is systematically managed and continuously improved. Environmental management and the published environmental indicators cover Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH as well as its subsidiaries Stuttgart Airport Ground Handling and Flughafen Stuttgart Energie GmbH.
Well-managed energy
Stuttgart Airport is committed to systematic energy management and is investing in local electricity generation and storage.
We generate electricity using solar panels across an area of more than 19,700 square metres – and this figure is rising. In addition, a combined heat and power (CHP) plant has been contributing to energy and heat generation since 2013. In 2025, the CHP plant generated 11.9 GWh of energy. With the carbon strategy STRzero, the plan is to replace the plant with heat pumps so that we are no longer dependent on fossil fuels. High-performance battery storage systems are also set to play a part in this . The airport commissioned its first such system, with a capacity of 540 kWh, in 2025. Further storage systems are planned as part of the expansion of the solar installations.
In addition to buildings and facilities, the airport’s numerous vehicles also require energy. These are charged at the airport’s own charging stations. In addition to electric passenger buses, these include baggage tugs, battery-powered vans, cargo tugs, conveyor belts, high-loaders and many other specialised vehicles. For vehicles without electric drives, Stuttgart Airport uses synthetic diesel (HVO). This is significantly lower in pollutants than fossil fuel.
The airport operates an energy management system certified to the internationalISO 50001 standard.
STRzero Carbon Strategy
The international community faces the enormous task of curbing man-made global warming. To achieve this, it must become CO₂-neutral. This means that emissions of climate-damaging gases must be drastically reduced and CO₂ must be removed from the atmosphere. If this is not achieved, there is a risk of serious and irreversible consequences for the entire planet.
Against this backdrop, Stuttgart Airport has drawn up a carbon strategy called STRzero. We are pursuing the objectives of STRzero by accounting for greenhouse gas emissions from airport operations in accordance with international standards and implementing measures to reduce them. The steps and investments that still lie ahead are set out in the Energy and Climate Master Plan.
In collaboration with the airlines, ground handling partners and DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH, Stuttgart Airport is optimising apron operations. The Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) programme reduces the time aircraft spend taxiing to the runway – thereby keeping fuel consumption as low as possible. In the very first year, around 740 tonnes of carbon dioxide were saved.
Whilst an airport operator’s influence over aviation emissions is limited, we are nevertheless taking active steps in this area. Our charges scheme is the first in Germany to offer financial incentives for the use of synthetic, electricity-based kerosene and for electric flight.
Electric flight is also being specifically promoted – including through research funding. In 2016, the HY4 took off from Stuttgart Airport on the world’s first passenger flight powered by fuel cells. The four-seater aircraft was developed by the Stuttgart-based technology company H2FLY. The propulsion system is currently being further developed for a 30-seater aircraft.
Airport Carbon Accreditation
Through structured environmental management and innovative technologies, Stuttgart Airport is working consistently to reduce CO₂eq emissions on the ground and – within the limits of its capabilities – in the air as well. For this, STR has been certified at Level 4 by Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA).
The climate management initiative run by the European airport association ACI Europe assesses airports’ CO₂ management across a series of progressive levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 3+, Level 4, Level 4+ and Level 5.
To be certified at one of the programme’s seven levels, airports must have their carbon footprint and carbon management processes independently verifiedbya certified body.
Minimising our environmental impact
As an airport, we keep a close eye on our environmental impact. To this end, we have experts on our team specialising in areas such as waste management, water protection, air quality and biodiversity. Our current environmental statement contains externally audited data on these topics.
Waste Disposal and Recycling Management
Waste can be a valuable resource. Stuttgart Airport recognised this as early as 1997 and established its own waste management centre that year. The certified waste management company sorts waste into more than 60 different categories and then passes it on to external waste disposal firms.
Two examples: the rubber abrasion generated when aircraft tyres make contact with the runway is thermally recycled. Grass clippings from mowing operations are sent to a biogas plant in Leinfelden-Echterdingen.
In a high-traffic location such as STR, it is impossible to avoid waste entirely. What matters is how the resulting volumes are managed. Pictograms on the bins at the airport help passengers choose the correct bin and thus play their part in waste management.
Development in Airport City
Stuttgart Airport is a sought-after location for businesses. Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH is continuously developing the office and retail space on the site – in line with demand and, due to space constraints, mostly upwards. The total floor area now comprises around 550,000 square metres, including car park space.
Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH is the first airport operator in Germany to have the entire Stuttgart Airport City business district pre-certified in accordance with the criteria of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB e.V.) .
De-icing and Water Protection
To ensure that aircraft can take off safely in frosty conditions, they are treated with a glycol-based de-icing agent. Modern equipment ensures that the dosage is tailored to requirements, adjusting the mixing ratio according to weather conditions. Special tanks beneath the de-icing stations collect any residual liquid. Rainwater contaminated with de-icing agents is biologically pre-treated before it is permitted to be discharged into public waterways. This process reduces the organic carbon content, ensuring that all limit values are complied with.
The ground handling subsidiary SAG uses a de-icing simulator. The team uses this to practise the correct operation of the de-icing vehicles virtually and under various weather conditions.
Stuttgart Airport offers financial incentives for aircraft de-icing: the fee is based on the amount of de-icing fluid used.
Drainage
The airport’s infrastructure is fundamentally prepared for heavy rainfall events, which are becoming more frequent and extreme as a result of climate change: High-capacity systems channel rainwater from the runway, taxiways and apron into underground treatment and retention basins with a total volume of over 100,000 cubic metres. These basins are crucial for flood protection – they prevent large volumes of water from flowing uncontrollably into surrounding streams, lakes or residential areas.
The discharge of uncontaminated surface water is also strictly regulated and permitted only with the approval of the relevant authorities. Since the 1990s, Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH has invested over 120 million euros in its facilities and, in doing so, in the protection of groundwater and public water bodies. The quality of these water bodies has improved since then.
Biodiversity
Just under half of the approximately 400-hectare site is covered with smooth oat-grass and red fescue meadows. These areas provide a habitat for numerous plants and animals. The diversity of species is maintained through targeted management of the green spaces .
In 2025, around 400 tonnes of grass clippings were produced during mowing. The University of Hohenheim regularly analyses the clippings – so far without any evidence of contamination. This also applies to the honey produced by the bee colonies located 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.
Air quality
Clean air is essential for good health and quality of life. Stuttgart Airport therefore applies the precautionary principle. Air quality is continuously monitored – all relevant data on air quality control and the minimisation of pollutants are analysed regularly.
The vehicle fleet is gradually being converted to electric power. Vehicles that still run on internal combustion engines are fuelled with synthetic diesel (HVO). This produces significantly less soot, particulate matter and CO₂ than conventional fuel – which improves air quality on the apron and creates healthier working conditions.
Nevertheless, ultrafine particles (UFPs) are also produced at Stuttgart Airport as a result of natural and technical combustion processes, particularly in aircraft engines. The airport takes its responsibility towards its staff and the local community seriously. To ensure that new scientific findings can be incorporated at an early stage, Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH is in regular contact with the authorities and other airports regarding the latest findings on UFPs.
