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Energy and Climate Master Plan

What steps are needed to achieve the 2040 climate target?

The Energy and Climate Master Plan provides the answer.

Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH (FSG) and its two subsidiaries, Flughafen Stuttgart Energie GmbH (FSEG) and Stuttgart Airport Ground Handling GmbH (SAG), have already reduced their direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and will continue to pursue this approach consistently in the future.

STRzero is based on the Energy and Climate Master Plan, the guiding principle of which is: to avoidemissions avoid emissions through technical solutions on site. Where this is not possible, reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a minimum. Residual emissions will still exist in 2040. These will be neutralised in the final step.

We prepare the carbon footprints of FSG, FSEG and SAG in accordance with internationally recognised standards. We continuously review the reduction pathway of our greenhouse gas emissions and adapt our measures accordingly. In our annual integrated report, we transparently disclose how far we have progressed on our journey towards STRzero .

Reducing emissions by 2040

The master plan sets out the following reduction pathway for Stuttgart Airport’s direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 + 2):

2025, CO₂eq = CO₂ equivalents
Base year 1990: 15,927 CO₂eq; 2010: 35,484 CO₂eq

The reduction pathway is in line with the requirements of the Baden-Württemberg Climate Protection Act and the Net Zero Initiative, which was launched by ACI Europe, the European airport association. For the airport operator, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions meansreducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissionsto virtually zero by 2040 through appropriate measures. To achieve this objective, we are reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocolby 85 per cent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels – based on 15,927 tonnes_{of CO₂eq} in 1990 (the base year under the Baden-Württemberg Climate Protection Act).

By 2030, Stuttgart Airport aims to carry out all ground-handling activities at the aircraft – from landing to take-off – in such a way that no _CO₂eqemissions or exhaust fumes are generated on site. This target covers the operations of the parent company FSG and its ground-handling subsidiary SAG. To achieve this, all vehicles and equipment regularly used for ground-handling operations there mustbe electrified.

42 per cent reduction achieved

The measures implemented to date have helped to reduce the airport operator’s direct greenhouse gas emissions in the Scope 1 and Scope 2 categories by 42 per cent compared with the base year 1990 (as of 2025). We record environmental and emissions indicators as part of our EMAS-certified environmental management system. These are verified in regular external environmental audits and disclosed transparently in our reports.

The future figures set out in the Energy and Climate Master Plan are based on the current state of planning and may be subject to change due to technical, economic or regulatory conditions relating to planning permission.

Environmental Statement 2025 (in accordance with EMAS)

Implementing the master plan means investing

TheSTRzero carbon strategy is based on the scientifically sound Energy and Climate Master Plan. This was developed by the parent company FSG in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. The detailed plan is structured in five-year phases, sets out all necessary investments and takes into account all greenhouse gases generated directly by the company’s own operations. The focus of the investments is on electricity and heat supply from renewable sources, the electrification of the vehicle fleet, and the construction and refurbishment of buildings, so that building operations become more energy-efficient than before.

Key investment areas in detail

Investment focus: Heat supply

Heat supply

The Energy and Climate Master Plan of the parent company FSG aims to meet around 90 per cent of the heat demand within the defined system boundaries using renewable energy by 2040. To this end, heat generation at the airport is to be graduallyconverted from fossil fuels to renewable sources .

As a first step, the South Heating Plant is to undergo technical upgrades. According to the current transformation plan, around 80 per cent of the heat supplied there is initially to be generated from renewable energy sources. Based on the current state of planning, the conversion is set to involve integrating heat pumps, thermal storage systems and power-to-heat plants into the supply system.

According to current calculations, the measures planned for the South Heating Plant could reduce annual direct greenhouse gas emissions by around 900 tonnes of CO₂eq. The expected reduction is a forecast and relates to Scope 1. The comparison is based on a defined reference scenario. The actual reduction in emissions will be verified following implementation, based on the energy sources used and the actual quantities of heat generated.

The insights gained during the planning and implementation at the South Heating Plant are to be incorporated into the conversion of the North Heating Plant. This is intended to ensure that technical requirements and potential challenges are taken into account at an early stage. According to an initial calculation, the planned measures at the North Heating Plant could reduce annual direct greenhouse gas emissions by around 6,000 tonnes _CO₂eq-emissions . This forecast relates to Scope 1and is based on preliminary assumptions, as the specific transformation plan is still being drawn up.

A combined heat and power plant is currently used for heat supply. FSG plans to use heat pumps instead in future. The specific design and timing of the transition are the subject of further technical planning.

With scenarios for the optimal energy system

A digital model of the energy system, known as a ‘digital twin’, depicts the current fleet of installations and an energy system planned for 2040. It is intended to help analyse various generation, storage and consumption scenarios and to plan the deployment of technical installations.

According to the model calculations, the expansion of energy generation facilities and their smart control could increase the share of self-supply by 2040 to around 22 per cent in the heating sector and to around 35 per cent in the electricity sector. These figures are forecasts and depend, amongst other things, on the expansion of generation and storage facilities.

Investment focus: Buildings

Buildings

As the developer, the parent company FSG constructs new buildings to at least the standards applicable in Germany. For new builds and refurbishments, the Energy and Climate Master Plan sets efficiency requirements for electricity and heating, ensuring that new or recently refurbished buildings are more energy-efficient in operation than their predecessors. Depending on the building’s use, the requirements for indoor comfort may be higher or lower. To conserve resources, FSG assesses these on a case-by-case basis and adjusts them to the necessary level. We advise tenants on the selection of efficient technical equipment and on energy-saving layouts for their rented space.

In addition to the internal requirements set out in the Energy and Climate Master Plan, FSG decides whether to aim forDGNB certification for new buildings or refurbishments. Various criteria, such as the type of building use, are taken into account in this decision.

Fuel consumption in the airport’s own buildings accounts for the largest proportion of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in _the airport’s _{carbon footprint}. This is to be reduced through therefurbishment of terminals and other existing buildings. To this end, FSG is conducting an internal review to identify which buildings are in greatest need of refurbishment and is prioritising the planning accordingly.

Investment focus: electricity supply

Power supply

The Energy and Climate Master Plan sets out guidelines for the expansion of photovoltaic systems and for improving energy efficiency at Stuttgart Airport.

FSEG, the energy subsidiary, currently operates seven photovoltaic systems with a total module area of more than 19,600 square metres. This is roughly equivalent to the size of three football pitches. FSEG uses the electricity generated by five of these systems on-site. The first of the systems used for on-site consumption came into operation in 2016. Since then, the amount of solar electricity generated and consumed on site has risen from just under 0.6 megawatt-hours in 2016 to just under 1,700 megawatt-hours in 2025. As a result, FSEG needs to purchase correspondingly less electricity from the public grid, leading to a reduction in the volume of electricity purchased underScope 2.

The master plan envisages assessing further suitable roof and open spaces on the airport site for photovoltaic installations and developing them in stages. This also includes a potential section of the installation along the southern airport perimeter fence. Based on current planning, the total area covered by solar panels could reach around 130,000 square metres by the middle of the century. This is equivalent to approximately 18 football pitches.

According to current plans, annual electricity generation at the site is set torise from 3.3 gigawatt-hours in 2013to around 28 gigawatt-hours by 2040. This is conditional upon the planned installations being implemented both technically and economically, and the necessary permits being granted.

According to the master plan’s calculations, the planned installed photovoltaic capacity could, at certain times, theoretically exceed the forecast demand by a factor of 1.7.

Smart control and storage of electricity

A smart grid is intended to better coordinate electricity generation, consumption and storage on site. With the help of active load control, facilities can adapt their demand to the availability of electricity from the photovoltaic systems, thereby reducing peak loads on the airport’s electricity grid. For example, electric vehicles and appliances could be charged at times when plenty of solar power is available.

In 2025, Stuttgart Airport commissioned its first battery storage system with a usable storage capacity of 540 kWh. It can temporarily store electricity from the photovoltaic systems and feed it back into the local electricity grid at a later time. The master plan aims to increase the usable storage capacity tenfold by 2040 .

Investment focus: Mobility

The parent company, FSG, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in selected areas of mobility. These includetraffic on the airport premises, the journeys of passengers, airport visitors and staff to and from the airport , and business travel undertaken by its own staff. The measures planned for this purpose and their current stage of implementation vary depending on the mobility sector.

FSG plans to gradually reduce the use of fossil fuels in the mobility sectors it covers. The measures planned and already implemented include the gradual electrification of its own vehicle fleet, the expansion of suitable charging infrastructure, car-sharing schemes and other alternatives to private motorised transport.

The gradualconversion of ground handling vehicles to electric powertrains began as early as September 2016. Since then, several projects to electrify the ground handling fleet have been implemented, with further vehicles and equipment set to follow. As a result of these changes, the reported Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions from the ground handling fleet of the ground handling subsidiary SAG fell by around 98 per cent between 2010 and 2025, representing a reduction of approximately 12,500 tonnes of CO₂eq emissions.

Intermodal connectivity

The journeys made by passengers and visitors to and from the airport account for around 5 per cent of theairport’s total carbon footprint. Although these fall under Scope 3 (indirect emission sources) and the airport has only limited influence over them, the master plan also includes measures addressing this area. This is because the airport can create incentives through good transport options.

FSG is committed to ensuring the airport has good connections to local public transport, and in particular to the rail network. This is intended to provide passengers, visitors and staff with alternatives to travelling by private car and to limit the future need for additional parking spaces.

Stuttgart Airport is accessible by S-Bahn, light rail and bus. In addition, options are available for travelling by bicycle, electric car or via car-sharing schemes. Furthermore, the FSG is expanding the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles on the airport premises in line with demand. The publicly accessible infrastructure comprises standard and fast-charging points at various locations. With a growing proportion of electric vehicles on the roads, the reported emissions from so-called land-side traffic are decreasing.

Incentives for commuting

In addition, FSG encourages its staff to use public transport. It covers 90 per cent of the cost of the Deutschlandticket for its employees. This reduces the cost to staff of using local public transport. Employees can also use charging points in selected staff car parks and charge their electric vehicles during working hours.

For business travel required by the company, employees should, where possible and taking into account the purpose of the journey, available connections and journey time, use modes of transport that produce fewer emissions. The greenhouse gas emissions generated by recorded business flights are offset via atmosfair. In doing so, FSG supports climate protection projects certified to the Gold Standard. However, offsetting does not prevent the emissions caused by the business trip and therefore does not replace the priority of avoiding or reducing emissions.

Development of e-mobility at STR

Other key areas outside the master plan

Aviation emissions

In addition to the emissions for which the parent company FSG is directly responsible, it also provides incentives for third parties to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. These include, in particular, airlines and emissions caused by air travel . There are currently no quantified reduction targets for the airport operator regarding these Scope 3 emissions. A significant proportion of these emissions arises from the activities of individuals or companies over which the airport has only limited influence.

One possible approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from air transport is the use of so-called Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The extent of the potential reduction depends on the production process for these synthetic fuels, taking the entire life cycle into account. Stuttgart Airport is involved in the Alliance News Flying organised by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport, where it exchanges views on the market roll-out of these fuels and advocates for their adoption.

At the same time, Stuttgart Airport is promoting the development of hydrogen technologies. Hydrogen is a key component in reducing emissions in aviation in the long term – both as an energy source for future generations of aircraft and as the basis for the production of synthetic fuels (Power-to-Liquid). The regional airport has participated in various research projects testing hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems. Its fee schedule provides incentives for airlines to use SAF and electric aircraft.

Modernising ground-based infrastructure

Stuttgart Airportis also implementing measures relating to ground operations . The aim of these measures is to reduce the use of auxiliary power units and mobile diesel-powered generators whilst aircraft are parked. By 2026, 75 per cent of passenger aircraft parking positions will already be equipped with fixed, underground ground power systems and connected to the mains electricity supply. At these stands, aircraft can be supplied with electricity via the fixed systems whilst parked. This allows the use of mobile diesel-powered ground power units to be reduced. The diesel-powered units still in use are to be gradually replaced by battery-powered ground power units . According to internal calculations, the new battery-powered systems are around 80 per cent more energy-efficient than the diesel-powered units previously in use. When used on the apron, the battery-powered units produce no emissions and are quieter than diesel-powered units.

In addition to the ground power supply, Stuttgart Airport will install pre-conditioned air (PCA) systems at the boarding bridges at the terminal. These can supply aircraft with air-conditioned air from an external source whilst they are parked. This enables airlines to reduce the running time of their on-board auxiliary power units, provided they use PCA. Once the planned installations are complete, Stuttgart Airport expects a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions generated on site of around 1,500 tonnes of CO₂eq per year under Scope 3.

STRzero Carbon Strategy

Stuttgart Airport has set itself a clear climate target: net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from airport operations in Scopes 1 and 2 by 2040. The STRzero carbon strategy and the Energy and Climate Master Plan set out the path to achieving this.

Find out more on this page about where greenhouse gas emissions arise in airport operations and the details of our target:

STRzero

Energy and Climate Master Plan

What steps are needed to achieve the 2040 climate target?

Reducing emissions by 2040

Implementing the master plan means investing

Key investment areas in detail

Aviation emissions

Modernising ground-based infrastructure

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