Dubai International Airport, in the United Arab Emirates, was named the most polluting in the world in an international ranking that analyzed civil aviation emissions and impacts on air quality.
According to the study, the terminal accounted for 23.2 million tons of CO₂ emissions in 2023. Heathrow Airport, in London, appears in second position, with 21 million tons emitted, followed by Los Angeles International Airport, in the United States, with 18.8 million tons.
The research was conducted by think tank ODI Global in partnership with the organization Transport & Environment (T&E), based on the latest data from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The survey analyzed around 1,300 airports around the world.
In addition to the top three, the ranking includes Incheon International Airport, in South Korea, John F. Kennedy, in New York, Hong Kong International Airport, Charles de Gaulle, in Paris, and Frankfurt Airport, in Germany.
According to the report, the three airports that top the list together emitted around three times more CO₂ than the entire city of Paris, excluding emissions linked to aviation.
The researchers also state that, if aviation were considered a country, the sector would currently be the fifth largest emitter of carbon dioxide on the planet.
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See the top 8 ranking of the most polluting airports in the world:
- 1st – Dubai International Airport (United Arab Emirates)
- 2nd – Heathrow Airport, London (United Kingdom)
- 3rd – Los Angeles International Airport (USA)
- 4th – Incheon International Airport (South Korea)
- 5th – John F. Kennedy Airport, in New York (USA)
- 6th – Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong)
- 7th – Charles de Gaulle Airport, in Paris (France)
- 8th – Frankfurt Airport (Germany)
Emissions are concentrated in a few global hubs
The study also points to a strong concentration of emissions in large air connection centers. According to the data,
In Europe, the continent’s airports produce more emissions than the hubs in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa combined, according to the survey.
The announcement comes amid international pressure for the airline sector to meet carbon neutrality targets by 2050. Several airports and airlines have announced commitments to reduce emissions and adopt sustainable fuels in recent years.
Despite this, the report questions whether these goals are compatible with plans to expand airport capacity still under discussion in different countries.
(With information from O Globo)
