Athens Airport Goes Green, Hailed for its Initiatives

Committed to protecting the environment, Athens International Airport (AIA) marked World Environment Day, celebrated every year on June 5, with a recycling competition for airport employees aiming to raise awareness and encourage recycling across the premises.

AIA also held a one-day workshop last month on Biodiversity and Climate Change in Eastern Attica bringing together representatives from ministries, local government, universities and NGOs.

AIA has repeatedly been awarded for its efforts to promote environmentally friendly practices including winning the Ecopolis Environmental Awareness Award for its work in monitoring ecosystems in the area of airport, protection of biodiversity and wildlife. At the same time, AIA has been recognized for its practices in waste management, recycling and CO2 emissions reduction as well as for its overall contribution to environmental protection and sustainable development.

AIA initiatives to reduce its impact on the environment include rewarding schools of the Spata-Artemida municipality for their in participation in AIA’s recycling program with educational materials and themed excursions; implementing an environmental education program in cooperation with NGO Mediterranean SOS at local elementary schools to raise students’ awareness on water management issues; funding scholarships for two postgraduate students at the University of the Aegean; contributing to the upgrade and protection of the Vravrona Wetland jointly with the Hellenic Ornithological Society; publishing “Care for the Environment”.