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. This new research reinforces that the sector remains off track to meeting net-zero goals, with flights from the 1,300 airports included in the Airport Tracker generating 1,022 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2023, which would make aviation the 5th largest emitter if it were a country. Denise Auclair, head of T&E’s Travel Smart Campaign said: “Allowing a fossil-dependent sector to continue expanding by increasing airport capacity only reinforces aviation’s greatest vulnerability. In the majority of European capitals and regions, the economic case for airport expansion is no longer supported by the latest evidence. It’s high time to prioritise our energy independence and citizens’ health. One of the key strategic levers we have is to align airport capacity with our climate, air quality and noise protection goals”. Sam Pickard, Research Associate at ODI Global said: “Since the Paris Agreement in 2015, we’ve seen many sectors gradually reduce their emissions while aviation’s have risen steadily. On top of that, we still regularly hear about airport expansion plans that ignore the sector’s outlier status when it comes to emissions. This should no longer be buried under the rug with half-baked promises of ramping up expensive so-called Sustainable Aviation Fuels or weak offset mechanisms. A genuine strategy and roadmap that include demand management are sorely needed”. Download T&E Airport Tracker 2026 recommendations. Download Airport Tracker policy brief. Article from T&E.