Airports in Europe account for more emissions than Latin America, the Middle East and Africa combined.
NEW research from global affairs thinktank ODI Global, in partnership with T&E (Transport & Environment) and with data provided by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), reveals the climate and air quality impacts of 1,300 airports. The updated 2026 Airport Tracker, a global inventory of CO2 and air pollution from passenger, freight and private air travel at the airport level, shows the disproportionate climate and health impact of just a small number of airports.
The research found that in 2023 – the year for which the latest data is available – Dubai, Heathrow and Los Angeles airports are responsible for three times as much CO2 emissions as the entire city of Paris. With a total of six airports, including the world's second most polluting airport, Heathrow, London is the top contributor to airport-related pollution across all metrics - CO2, nitrous oxide (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), total hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter (PM2.5).
Analysis finds 20 airports each produced more emissions than a coal-fired plant in 2023. 5 airports – Dubai, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Seoul Incheon and New York John F. Kennedy produced 4 times as much
Globally, just 100 airports are responsible for approximately two thirds of total CO2 emissions from passenger flights. Airports in just two countries – the USA and China – account for more than a third of total CO2 emissions. Europe accounts for more CO2 emissions than Latin America, the Middle East and Africa combined. (....)