Meeting the challenge to reduce Scope 3 emissions: Aeroporti di Roma’s methodological approach and preliminary findings
Abstract
This paper examines Aeroporti di Roma’s (ADR) approach to reducing Scope 3 emissions associated with surface access to Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino airports. While ADR has made substantial progress on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, including major investment in onsite renewable energy, indirect emissions generated by passengers, employees, and suppliers travelling to and from the airports remain a significant decarbonisation challenge. The paper sets out the methodological basis of ADR’s Net Zero Scope 3 Accessibility Plan, which targets reductions of 10 per cent by 2027 and 30 per cent by 2030 against 2019 levels, excluding aircraft emissions. The approach combines airport operating data, customer surveys, employee travel plans, mobile phone data, floating car data, and public transport information within a multimodal simulation model. Emissions are then estimated by applying mode-specific emission factors to simulated travel distances across current and future scenarios. Preliminary findings show a balanced but still carbon-intensive mix of private car and collective transport use, with staff travel remaining especially dependent on private vehicles. The paper concludes that airport-led Scope 3 reduction requires data-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, targeted demand-management measures, and alignment with wider transport and energy policies. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
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Author's Biography
Rossella Bozzini is an environmental and sustainability manager with over 25 years’ experience in managing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues across energy, oil and gas, aviation, infrastructure and real estate sectors. After graduating in environmental engineering from Politecnico di Milano, she has developed a technical and managerial background working in multinational companies such as Ramboll, Aeroporti di Roma, Technip Energies and Foster Wheeler, building expertise in engineering and construction, project execution, and business development. Rossella is currently a Principal at Ramboll, where she works across compliance, strategy, transactions, and sustainability, helping clients develop and deliver projects that create lasting environmental and social impact. Previously, as Head of Sustainability at Aeroporti di Roma, she led the development and implementation of initiatives to advance sustainable aviation, accelerate decarbonisation and foster the circular economy. She worked closely with airlines, local communities, suppliers, and value-chain partners, integrating environmental responsibility and social value into the airport’s sustainability strategy. At the time of writing this study, Rossella Bozzini was Head of Sustainability Special Projects, Aeroporti di Roma.
Francesco Piccirilli is Head of Infrastructural and Environmental Planning at Aeroporti di Roma. He is an architectural engineer with a master’s degree from La Sapienza University of Rome and an Executive MBA from Luiss Business School, complemented by executive education programmes at INSEAD, POLIMI Graduate School of Management, and MIT Sloan School of Management. Francesco is an IPMA Level C certified Project Manager, with over 15 years’ experience in airport infrastructure planning and development across complex international contexts. In his current role as Head of Infrastructural and Environmental Planning within the Business Unit Infrastructures at Aeroporti di Roma, he is responsible for coordinating terminal, mobility, real estate, airside, and environmental planning activities, including capacity assessments, infrastructure development plans, and environmental impact and monitoring processes. During his professional career, Francesco has also worked within ADR Ingegneria, the engineering company of Aeroporti di Roma, and at EGIS in Paris.
