10 most polluted airports in the world

A new study by the global policy research organization ODI Global, in collaboration with the transportation environmental organization Transport and Environment (T&E), has published a list of the 10 most polluted airports in the world .

The report analyzes the climate and air quality impacts of 1,300 international aviation hubs, based on 2023 data (the latest available statistics) from the International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT - based in Washington, USA).

Dubai International Airport has the highest emissions in the world. (Photo: Euronews)

Accordingly, Dubai Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), one of the world's largest transit hubs, was identified as the most polluting airport with 23.2 million tons of CO2 emissions.

Heathrow Airport in London (UK) ranks second with 21 million tons of CO2, followed by Los Angeles Airport (USA) with 18.8 million tons.

These three airports combined generate three times the CO2 emissions of the entire city of Paris, not including emissions from aviation operations.

South Korea's Incheon Airport ranked fourth, followed by John F. Kennedy Airport in New York (USA). The next positions were occupied by Hong Kong Airport (China), Charles de Gaulle Airport (France), and Frankfurt Airport (Germany).

The report indicates that European airports emit more CO2 than the combined emissions from aviation hubs in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

According to T&E, new research shows that the aviation industry is still "off track" from its net-zero emissions target.

"Allowing an industry dependent on fossil fuels to continue expanding through increased airport capacity only exacerbates aviation's biggest weakness," commented Denise Auclair, an expert at T&E.

She added: "In most European capitals and regions, there is no longer any basis for continuing to support the economic argument for airport expansion. It is time to prioritize energy independence and people's health."

Sam Pickard, a researcher at ODI Global, warns that while many sectors have gradually reduced emissions since the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015, emissions from the aviation industry continue to rise.

"We frequently hear about airport expansion plans that ignore the fact that this is a particularly high-emissions sector," Pickard added. "This problem cannot continue to be masked by empty promises of increased use of expensive sustainable aviation fuels or weak offsetting mechanisms. A real strategy and roadmap that includes demand management is absolutely essential."

A Heathrow Airport representative said: "We have a clear plan to achieve net-zero emissions and any expansion plans must meet legally binding UK targets on carbon, air quality and noise set by the government ."

Dubai Airport and Los Angeles Airport have not yet commented.

Hoa Vu (Source: Euronews)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/10-san-bay-gay-o-nhiem-nhat-the-gioi-ar1017949.html