The 23rd edition of BergamoScienza, a long-standing event fostering dialogue between scientific knowledge and real-world practice, offered an opportunity to reflect on the theme of “sustainability endeavours”. Milan Bergamo Airport took part in the panel, bringing to the forefront not only strategic objectives but also the concrete actions already implemented to actively combat climate change.
The contribution focused on the two fundamental pillars of the airport’s sustainability strategy: reducing emissions related to airport accessibility and decarbonising airport operations.
On the first front, the airport reiterated its commitment to transforming itself into a truly multimodal platform. This pathway is based on two priority drivers: the future railway link, currently in full development, and the implementation of cycling accessibility. Both projects are crucial to reducing the carbon footprint generated by the movement of passengers, goods, and employees to and from the airport—an objective that inherently requires coordinated and synergistic action with all local stakeholders.
Regarding the CO₂ footprint generated directly by airport activities, the progress of the energy and electrification plan was outlined. The airport’s solar farm, which came into operation at the beginning of the year, is already making a significant contribution, producing over 10% of the annual energy needs and reaching daily peaks of up to 80% in the summer months. This is only the first step in a broader plan that includes two additional solar farms in the medium to long term.
At the same time, the electrification of the infrastructure and the vehicles supporting airport operations is progressing. This strategic project, worth around 10 million euros, has received backing from the European Community through 30% co-funding under the EU CEF-AFIF Call (Connecting Europe Facility – Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility).
Participation in BergamoScienza represented an important moment to share the progress of a journey in which Milan Bergamo Airport is committed to integrating sustainability into every aspect of its infrastructural and operational development.