Like in many other sectors, also airports have the ambition “to become sustainable”. However, by stating this goal, airports still don't know what it exactly is that they aspire. By broadness of the definition of sustainability in the absolute sense, this ambition would better be converted to “to become more sustainable”. This way, a goal can be defined that is attainable. Adecs Airinfra has developed a method to help airports become efficiently more sustainable. An airport can follow the steps in this method to become a more sustainable airport.

The method consists of seven steps, where first of all the airport needs to define its vision on sustainability. This vision can depend for example on (local) legislation, the airport's corporate responsibility or issues at local communities. There are many aspects to cover: noise, air quality, CO₂ emission, energy use, safety, water, and of course costs and revenues. This method covers the environmental aspects of sustainability, since these aspects are most visible at airports. The social and economical aspects are considered boundary conditions for the method.

Based upon the vision, the airport continues to define sustainability by making it measurable by defining key performance indicators and boundaries of the airport and the airport's responsibilities. There may be more than just one key performance indicator. When key performance indicators are defined, the current sustainability status, or sustainability footprint, of the airport will be measured. From the footprint the airport can start to create a strategy to improve sustainability. The strategy consists of targets and a planning to implement solutions. The solutions are determined by evaluating the footprint, and the effectiveness of the solutions. This includes cost effectiveness. The next step is implementation of solutions. When starting the implementation, the airport will also need a plan to monitor if the implementation of the solutions is on track. The monitoring is not only used to determine whether the improvements are in line with expectations, they are also used to determine if implementation costs are in line with expectations. By continuous monitoring the strategy and implementation, the airport will reach its sustainability targets.