The airport has achieved Level 4 Transformation in the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, making it the highest accredited in Brazil. This achievement marks a major step in Florianópolis’s Zero 2040 commitment and reinforces its leadership in sustainable airport operations.
Operated by Zurich Airport Brazil, Florianópolis International Airport has set a long-term target for absolute carbon emissions reduction, fully aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In just one year, the airport has significantly reduced its carbon footprint, cutting CO2 emissions from 377 tonnes in 2023 to 199 tonnes in 2024. To reach its net zero target, annual emissions must be reduced to 111 tonnes, a goal the airport is actively working towards with innovative initiatives.
One of the key projects driving this transformation is the 400 Hertz and PCA system, which supplies clean energy to aircraft on the ground. By eliminating the need for auxiliary power units, this system has already prevented the emission of 2,734.7 tonnes of greenhouse gases in less than a year, equivalent to the carbon sequestration of over 21,000 trees in the Atlantic Forest.
Florianópolis International Airport’s carbon reduction efforts are supported by Carbon Flow, an in-house emissions monitoring system developed entirely by Zurich Airport Brazil employees. This award-winning platform enables the airport to fine-tune its sustainability strategy, making data-driven decisions to minimise environmental impact across operations, from employee transport and supplier selection to energy-efficient ground handling procedures.
“This achievement is extraordinary and demonstrates the commitment of several areas of the company in the sustainable management of its actions. This recognition is a source of pride and shows that we are on the right track with our ESG strategies,” said Ricardo Gesse, CEO of Zurich Airport Brazil.
