Airports Council International (ACI) World has launched a ‘Sustainability Strategy for Airports Worldwide’ report to help operators with their holistic sustainability strategy as they work towards aligning their local initiatives with shared international topics and objectives.

The new worldwide report builds on the ACI Europe Sustainability Strategies for Airports, and provides an overview of how sustainable aviation can contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. ACI said it offers the first overview of the most relevant and commonly reported material sustainability topics.

Based on data collected from over 80 airports globally and desktop research, topics covered include service quality, infrastructure development, and safe and efficient operations.

The report also provides case studies that showcase best practices on how airports are implementing social, environmental, and economic sustainability initiatives and embedding them in their overall business strategy and operation.

ACI highlights that ‘the guidance was made possible’ with the financial support of Hamad International Airport and developed in collaboration with Tailor Airey and Vancouver International Airport.

ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira.

CALLS FOR MORE UNIFORMITY AND HARMONISATION

“While sustainability is a topic highly influenced by local issues, global issues such as climate change and global trends related to Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting have also emerged,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said.

“The finance community is calling for more uniformity and harmonisation on the ways stakeholders report on sustainability, including the material topics they choose to report on. Greater consistency in this regard would facilitate secure decision-making by reducing risks related to sustainability credit ratings and the allocation of finance and investment which require sustainability criteria.

“Airports must be ready for the implementation of local initiatives which can be translated at the international level into common sustainability topics and objectives, and we believe the ACI World Sustainability Strategy for Airports Worldwide will help airports in this regard.

“I would like to thank the airports who have contributed and Hamad International Airport for their financial support.”

NET ZERO CARBON BY 2050

In June 2021, ACI member airports at the global level committed to net zero carbon by 2050. Over 350 airports have been accredited under the ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation program, the only institutionally endorsed, carbon management certification standard for airports.

Most recently, ACI World released the complementary ACI World Sustainable Recovery Best Practice and the ACI World Sustainable Recovery Case Studies, which helps airports incorporate sustainability in their recovery efforts.

ACI’s recent sustainability initiatives come strategically just ahead of the ACI-LAC/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition to be held in Cancun, Mexico, from 21–24 November 2021. This year’s event will be under the theme ‘Runway to Recovery: Reconnecting Aviation for a Sustainable Future.’