In scientific parlance, this is called a “carbon sink”.
It is a reservoir, mostly natural, which stores atmospheric carbon and absorbs it.
Forests, oceans, peatlands.
Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport will be the first in France to have such a system.
Vinci, operator of the airport, aims to have "net zero emissions" from 2026. This again, would be a first in France.
The project consists of reforesting and restoring the Cantinière forest, located about thirty kilometers from Lyon airport.
Or a plot of 3.6 hectares.
More than 4,500 trees, such as Douglas pines, will thus be planted with species selected for their high capacity to absorb CO2.
This will capture an average of 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Offset residual emissions
Other similar operations should follow within five years in connection with the Rhône department.
"We will set up a network of forest wells in the Rhône-Alpes region which will offset 100% of residual emissions (those that cannot be eliminated) from Lyon airports", promises Vinci Aiport.
The operator also plans to rely on other systems in order to reduce its CO2 emissions as much as possible: the use of biogas to heat the terminals, the installation of a biomass plant for the freight boiler, a renovation energy efficiency of buildings or the use of electric or hydrogen vehicles.
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