As the aviation industry grapples with the urgent need to decarbonise, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) emerges as a beacon of sustainable innovation. With a vision of achieving zero waste and zero emissions by 2030, the Dutch airport is taking bold steps to transform its operations and infrastructure in alignment with global environmental goals. As one of Europe’s busiest hubs, Schiphol’s commitment to sustainable practices sets an important precedent for the global aviation industry.
In 2023, Schiphol became the first airport in the world to have its long-term net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). “Schiphol has set ambitious sustainability goals, including zero emissions by 2030 for Scope 1 and 2, and net-zero for Scope 3 by 2050,” says Denise Pronk, Head of Sustainability at Schiphol.
Achieving Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 5 in 2023, Schiphol is the only airport among Europe’s five busiest hubs to reach this milestone. “We are proud of these achievements and the teams involved in ensuring our commitment to more sustainable aviation,” Pronk adds.
Greener ground operations
One of Schiphol’s most groundbreaking initiatives is the electrification of its ground operations. Partnering with KES, Schiphol is testing an Iron Flow Battery that supports electric ground power units (E-GPUs) by providing a consistent, substantial supply of electricity. With a maximum storage capacity of 500 kWh, the battery helps alleviate pressure on the energy grid while enabling aircraft to turn off their Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) that run on kerosene.
“Electric ground equipment is becoming ever more popular at Schiphol,” says Pronk. “But there are challenges, such as needing additional personnel to charge e-GPUs and managing battery charge levels during busy operations.” Despite these challenges, transitioning to electric ground support equipment, including electric buses that reduce emissions and improve air quality, is a crucial step toward creating a greener airport environment.
Harnessing renewable energy
Since 2018, Schiphol has powered its operations with 100% Dutch wind energy, thanks to a partnership with energy supplier Eneco. The airport is also expanding its use of solar energy, including a major solar panel farm that powers the entire P3 parking garage.
A significant shift away from natural gas is also underway. Pronk shares that Schiphol has implemented Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems to drastically cut gas consumption. Between 2010 and 2024, the airport reduced its gas usage by almost 70 million cubic meters—equivalent to the consumption of 46,000 households.
Terminal 3 has been equipped with ATES since 2019, significantly reducing gas dependence. In 2024, Schiphol continued its efforts to phase out natural gas with the successful delivery of a central ATES system at the Schiphol Central Business District. Almost all piers are now equipped with TES systems, and Pier E will be fully integrated with ATES by 2025. Looking ahead, Terminals 1 and 2 are set to implement ATES by 2030. Additionally, new buildings such as Pier A and the new Pier C are being constructed gas-free as standard, reinforcing Schiphol’s commitment to sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Schiphol recognises that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is currently the most viable option to reduce aviation emissions in the short term. According to Pronk, blended SAF can reduce CO₂ emissions by 70% to 90% compared to fossil kerosene. However, it is not yet fully sustainable, as current HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) SAF production is limited due to supply constraints and production challenges.
“In the short term, blended SAF is the best option to reduce emissions, but R&D is needed to develop e-SAF, like synthetic kerosene, which has the potential to be produced in volumes that are needed to decarbonise the global aviation industry,” says Pronk.
Zero-waste ambitions and community engagement
Beyond energy and fuel, Schiphol is tackling waste through a comprehensive zero-waste roadmap, collaborating with business partners to monitor and reduce waste production. One of the airport’s key strategies is setting up a monitoring system to track zero-waste goals, prioritising waste streams based on mass and their CO₂ footprint. This approach allows Schiphol to identify areas that need improvement and work with partners to reduce waste generation at the source.
“We have developed a monitoring system to track our zero-waste goals. We prioritise streams based on the mass produced and their CO₂ footprint. Many of our actions are based on reducing these streams,” says Pronk.
To gain deeper insights, Schiphol conducts targeted waste scans in various areas of the terminal, identifying specific products and passenger behaviours that contribute to waste. These scans help the airport understand which items are most problematic and how to address them effectively. For example, single-use plastic items commonly discarded by passengers have been identified, prompting Schiphol to collaborate with partners to find more sustainable alternatives.
“We also conduct waste scans to gain insights into different areas within the terminal. This helps us identify products to address with business partners and understand passenger behaviours that need to be nudged to avoid and reduce waste,” Pronk explains.
Schiphol also recognises the importance of engaging with the local community to address environmental concerns, particularly noise pollution. The airport has taken proactive steps to encourage airlines to use quieter aircraft, offering reduced fees for quieter models and imposing higher charges on older, noisier planes. As of 2025, the loudest aircraft will be banned from operating at Schiphol.
To further support local communities affected by aviation activities, Schiphol has set up a €10 million annual Environmental Fund that will run until 2031. The fund is dedicated to quality-of-life improvements in the surrounding areas, demonstrating the airport’s commitment to balancing operational growth with community well-being.
Partnerships and future vision
Collaboration is key to Schiphol’s strategy, exemplified by its leadership in the TULIPS program. This consortium, funded by the European Union, brings together 32 European partners, including airports, airlines, knowledge institutions, and companies, to develop sustainable solutions that align with the European Green Deal.
The TULIPS program aims to reduce CO₂ emissions from mobility and promote sustainability at airports through 17 concrete demonstration projects. These projects include testing an Iron Flow Battery and a hydrogen Ground Power Unit, as well as demonstrating solutions for unattended charging of electric aircraft. Additionally, Schiphol is conducting trials with electric trucks for the ‘last mile’ at the airport and experimenting with heat storage systems for buildings.
In line with its commitment to circularity, Schiphol is also working on improving the circular use of materials, addressing both passenger waste and construction waste as valuable resources. Plans are underway to conduct trials for the large-scale supply of more sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and further demonstrations of hydrogen-powered ground handling equipment—all of which play a vital role in achieving the airport’s sustainability targets.
“Collaboration with partners is crucial, learning from other airports and sectors. Integrate sustainability in everything you do. It takes effort and time, but in the end, it pays off handsomely for everyone,” emphasises Pronk.
With its ambitious goals and concrete actions, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is proving that sustainable aviation is not just a vision but a reality in the making. As other hubs look to follow suit, Schiphol stands as a model of how the aviation industry can adapt and thrive in a more sustainable world.
This story was first published in the January-February 2025 issue of Payload Asia.
