Environment

ADR prioritises the protection of the environment and the minimisation of airport activity impacts.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimising energy consumption and adopting renewable energies are among the priority actions ADR is focusing on: the goal of reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2030 reflects a vision that considers sustainability not only as an ethical obligation but also as a strategic lever for future development.
In addition, the protection of natural resources and the promotion of the circular economy are central aspects of ADR's sustainability strategy: the company adopts measures aimed at water conservation, sustainable waste management and the protection of biodiversity, which reflect the importance of taking a holistic approach to sustainability, with the aim of creating a balance between operational needs and responsibility towards the environment.
 

Combating Climate Change

In order to promote a rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to reach the ultimate goal of Net Zero Carbon by 2030, 20 years ahead of European goals, ADR is pursuing numerous initiatives and investments to gradually make Rome's airports independent of fossil fuels, thus developing the concept of the Smart Energy Airport of the Future, which requires maximising energy production from renewable sources and reducing both direct and indirect carbon emissions.
Several multi-megawatt photovoltaic plants have been planned for the next few years, which will enable the production and use of green energy; therefore, in 2023 ADR started construction of a 22 MW power plant near Fiumicino Airport Runway 3.
Also in 2023, a contract was awarded for the construction of a 5.6 MW plant on shelters that will be built, together with the relative shelters, at the 'Long Stop' car park.
Other plants are currently being designed for a total of 25 MW, of which 2.7 MW at Ciampino Airport and the remainder at Fiumicino Airport.
In addition, the installation of an electrical storage system has been planned which will optimise energy flows in the airport network. For the optimal and integrated management of these energy assets, an Artificial Intelligence system will be implemented which will optimise the management of energy assets both in economic and environmental terms.
During 2023, work also continued for preparing and installing charging points for electric vehicles with the aim of ensuring adequate support infrastructures for sustainable mobility: by 2025, around 500 charging points will be installed at the airport.
Finally, great attention is paid to the research and development of sustainable fuels, both for use in the cogeneration plant (e.g., biomethane) and for the procurement of sustainable aviation fuels to be made available to airlines that request them.
On this front, of strategic importance is the partnership signed by ADR with ENI at the end of 2021, aimed at the implementation and diffusion of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and sustainable fuels for aircraft ground handling vehicles (HVO - Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), which allow to reduce CO2 emissions by about 90% compared to fossil fuels. Thanks to the partnership with ENI and ITA, Fiumicino has been the first Italian airport to use SAF transported both by land and by ship.

Protection of Water Resources
 

Water is a fundamental resource for the functioning and sustainability of any airport. An efficient and sustainable water supply is essential not only for daily operations, such as cleaning, facility maintenance and passenger comfort, but also for minimising the environmental impact of the airport infrastructure. Optimal water management helps significantly reduce the carbon footprint of airports.
Fiumicino Airport stands out for having adopted innovative and sustainable water management practices. The airport is equipped with a dual water network that allows the use of drinking water to be separated from that of treated water for reuse. This system is crucial for optimising consumption and ensuring that drinking water is only used where it is strictly necessary, with recycled water being used for other less critical uses.
In addition, collaboration with the Hera S.p.A. company has led to the introduction of an advanced system for monitoring drinking water consumption. The partitioning of the airport water network by districts and the installation of remote flow meters have made it possible a more accurate and timely control of consumption. This system not only allows to detect and fix leaks promptly, but also allows to analyse consumption patterns in order to implement additional improvements.
The efforts made over the years have produced tangible results. Despite the increase in the number of passengers and the expansion of infrastructure, Fiumicino Airport has experienced a steady reduction in water consumption. In 2023, drinking water use was reduced to 28%, a decrease of 6% from the previous year. These results highlight the effectiveness of the policies adopted and underline the importance of continuing on this path to ensure a more sustainable future for the airport environment.

Waste management and the circular economy

Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) has been adopting an increasingly circular economy approach to minimise its environmental footprint and manage its airport operations in a sustainable way. The objective is to gradually reduce the waste produced, aiming to maximise the reuse, sorting and recovery of all materials generated from waste.
These efforts take the form of various initiatives:

1. Waste Management: Implementation of strategies to optimise the collection and separation of waste, including the reconfiguration of collection points and the updating of the tariff system to incentivise proper waste separation.
2. Water and Excavated Material Management: Adoption of sustainable practices at airport construction sites, with the recovery and reuse of excavation materials and bituminous aggregates, thus preventing landfill. These materials are reused for maintenance and the construction of new infrastructure within the airport.
3. Composting: ADR has installed a self-composting plant to process 1,000 tonnes of organic waste per year and reuse the compost produced to fertilise the airport's green areas. A new plant will also be purchased to increase food waste treatment capacity.

Thanks to these interventions, the percentage of waste recovered at Fiumicino has increased significantly in recent years, which demonstrates ADR's commitment to responsible and innovative environmental management.