On March 6th, students from the Master’s program in Sustainability Management, jointly offered by UPF-BSM and ESCI-UPF, participated in an educational visit to Barcelona’s Airport as part of the course "Carbon and Water Footprint."
The visit was led by Dr. Sahar Azarkamand, researcher at the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change at ESCI-UPF and professor at the Master of Science in Sustainability Management. The objective of the visit was to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the environmental challenges faced by airports and the initiatives implemented to mitigate their impact on climate change.
Airports play a significant role in climate change, which poses a major environmental challenge. Main greenhouse gas emissions come from indirect sources (scope 3), including aircraft operations, passenger and staff transportation, and supply chain logistics. Many airports worldwide are striving to reduce their carbon footprint by adopting renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and promoting the use of sustainable fuels for airlines. Barcelona’s airport is recognized as one of the most sustainable airports globally and is among the few in Europe that have achieved Airport Carbon Accreditation 3+. The airport has implemented various measures to minimize its environmental impact, with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
During the visit, students had the opportunity to explore different airport operations, including aircraft taxiing, luggage handling, and administrative offices. They gained firsthand experience of how sustainability is integrated into airport management and the specific measures taken to reduce emissions. The guided tour provided by airport staff offered valuable insights into sustainability initiatives and operational procedures, enhancing the students’ understanding of the industry’s efforts to mitigate climate change.
One of the key highlights of the visit was the discussion on the airport’s transition to renewable energy sources. Barcelona’s airport has invested significantly in solar energy projects and energy-efficient infrastructure to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Moreover, students observed the logistics behind sustainable waste management practices at the airport. Waste segregation, recycling, and water conservation efforts were emphasized as crucial components of the airport’s sustainability strategy.
This educational visit provided MScSUS students with a unique opportunity to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. By witnessing sustainable practices in action, they gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities involved in achieving carbon neutrality in the aviation sector.
As airports continue to evolve in response to climate change, such educational experiences are essential in equipping future sustainability leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to a greener and more responsible aviation sector.
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Last month, the students of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management, jointly offered by ESCI-UPF and BSM-UPF, visited the Integrated Valorisation Plant located in Sant Adrià de Besòs to better understand the waste management treatment processes in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona.
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The researcher at the ESCI-UPF’s UNESCO Chair and professor Ilija Sazdovski summarises the visit at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center with the students of the MScSUS.
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Sahar Azarkamand, the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change at ESCI-UPF researcher, shares the foremost agreements reached at the Conference of the Parties (COP) held in Azerbaijan last week.
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