Interview with Jorge Navarro

In this interview, hear from Jorge Navarro, Infrastructure and Maintenance Manager at Aeropuertos Uruguay, on sustainability, the key lessons learned through Airport Carbon Accreditation, and the next steps towards decarbonisation. Aeropuertos Uruguay operates a total of eight airports: discover their plans to become accredited across the network, successes so far, and the advice they would offer other airports who are beginning their Airport Carbon Accreditation journey.

Can you share the motivation behind Aeropuertos Uruguay’s decision to join the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, and how it aligns with your broader sustainability strategy?

At Aeropuertos Uruguay, we are deeply committed to sustainability and the responsible management of our environmental impacts. Our decision to join the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme is part of our broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality. This programme helps us align our operations with global standards, ensuring that we continuously improve our energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and take concrete actions toward a more sustainable future. This strategy aligns with our mission of bringing Uruguay closer to the world in an environmentally responsible way.

With Carrasco and Punta del Este International Airports already accredited, what lessons have been learned so far, and how have these airports benefited from the programme?

Through the accreditation process, we have learned that systematic data collection, continuous monitoring, and implementing cutting-edge technologies are essential for effective carbon management. Carrasco and Punta del Este International Airports have greatly benefited by gaining a structured approach to energy management, enabling us to identify areas for improvement and track our progress.

The energy efficiency initiatives we have implemented, such as the application of artificial intelligence in the thermal air conditioning system, solar photovoltaic power generation, and LED lighting, have reduced energy consumption and improved the overall sustainability of our airports.

Beyond the environmental impact, these initiatives also highlight the economic viability of investing in sustainable technologies and resource management.

Overall, the benefits of the programme are clear: we’ve enhanced operational efficiency, reduced our carbon footprint, and created a more sustainable and responsible airport management model.

Aeropuertos Uruguay has implemented several energy efficiency initiatives, such as the thermal air conditioning system, at Carrasco Airport, and the transition to LED lighting across various facilities. Can you share more about the impact these projects have had so far? What innovative initiatives or technologies is Aeropuertos Uruguay exploring to further reduce carbon emissions?

The initiatives we have implemented, such as the thermal air conditioning system, solar photovoltaic power generation, and the transition to LED lighting, have had significant positive impacts.

We are proud to have developed a one-of-a-kind solution at Carrasco International Airport that leverages AI technology to improve thermal conditioning. This system accounts for both real-time data and future projections to continuously regulate the ventilation system. By 2025, we will incorporate flight schedules and CCTV as additional inputs.

This has resulted in a 12% reduction in energy consumption at Carrasco Airport and an annual reduction of 118 tonnes of CO₂. The use of artificial intelligence in air conditioning optimisation has led to energy savings equivalent to the consumption of 3,500 national households, and we’re on track to achieve a more than 20% reduction in overall energy consumption. These initiatives have set a new standard for innovation in the airport industry. This system not only optimises energy use but also ensures a satisfactory air quality, ensuring a concentration of carbon dioxide below 900 ppm, providing a healthy environment for passengers and staff.

Regarding Punta del Este, we are in the process of replacing the lighting in the airport terminal and parking with LED technology, having already achieved 50% of the replacement.

How does Aeropuertos Uruguay plan to expand its participation in the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme across other airports in its network, and what challenges do you anticipate in achieving this goal?

We are committed to strengthening our commitment to sustainability through the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, continuously improving our benchmarks and drawing inspiration from the industry’s best practices.

The primary challenge is that every airport is unique in terms of location,  resources and infrastructure, which needs to be considered if we are to implement the same level of sustainability initiatives. We need to tailor our strategies to each airport’s specific context while maintaining a focus on energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and operational sustainability. However, by applying the lessons learned from Carrasco and Punta del Este, we are confident that we can expand these efforts across our network.

This year, we are evaluating a plan for the installation of solar photovoltaic generation within the airport grounds to offset the electricity consumption of the Rivera and Salto airports.

From Level 3 and above, the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme encourages third-party engagement in reducing carbon emissions. As Aeropuertos Uruguay looks to advance to higher levels of the programme, how do you plan to strengthen partnerships with airlines, local governments, and other stakeholders to support the reduction of your Scope 3 emissions?

As we look into taking the next steps in this programme, it becomes clear that communication and alignment with all our stakeholders is key. This means that our plan needs to shift focus from looking inwards to look outwards, into what each stakeholder in the airport ecosystem is doing in terms of sustainability and where they are at. While honest conversations and commitment to sustainability is something we always encourage, taking a deep dive into it is a key part of the process in the future. We need to engage more profoundly with them, understand where they are at, and where we can go together.

What advice would you give to other airports in Latin America and Caribbean that are considering joining Airport Carbon Accreditation and taking their first steps towards carbon management and decarbonisation?

Our advice to other airports in Latin America & the Caribbean would be to take a comprehensive approach to carbon management by starting with data collection and implementing an energy management system to identify saving opportunities, establishing a clear energy management strategy. Embrace new technologies, engage stakeholders in the sustainability efforts, creating a shared responsibility for achieving carbon reduction goals. Lastly, be patient and persistent. Decarbonisation is a journey, and the benefits, both environmental and economic, are well worth the effort and will ultimately recoup the investment.