AGS Airports, which owns Aberdeen International, Glasgow and Southampton airports, has committed to achieving net zero for its direct emissions by the mid-2030s as part of its new sustainability strategy which it launched on Wednesday, 30 June.
Scotland’s minister for transport, Graeme Dey MSP, joined AGS’ chief executive, Derek Provan, to launch the strategy which sets out how AGS will balance the undoubted social and economic benefits of aviation with its climate change responsibilities.
All three AGS airports achieved carbon neutrality status in 2020 and the group has now set a roadmap for its transition to net zero by the mid-2030s which will involve the decarbonisation of AGS’ infrastructure.
The strategy, which is anchored in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, sets commitments against a wide range of material issues including decarbonisation, biodiversity, modern slavery, circular economy, community support and how it will support its people. Commitments include:
Achieving net zero
Supporting communities
Supporting its people
Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports, said: "At AGS, we have always been acutely aware that operating such important pieces of infrastructure comes with responsibilities: to our people, to our communities and to the environment. As we seek to regrow and restore the connectivity that will help drive Scotland’s and the UK’s recovery post-covid, we will balance the undoubted social and economic benefits of aviation with our climate change responsibilities.
"We have made significant progress in addressing our own environmental impacts, however, we recognise there is more work to do. In 2020, we became carbon neutral which is an important first step towards our ultimate goal of achieving net zero carbon for our direct emissions by the mid-2030s. While this is a central pillar of our strategy, our sustainability commitments go beyond the decarbonisation of AGS. We want to create shared value and ensure our communities can share in our success as we seek to rebuild.
"In November, the world will look to Glasgow when we host the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26. This will be the opportunity for governments to agree a global response to what is a truly global challenge. At AGS, we are committed to working with governments to ensure we play our role in addressing the climate emergency while supporting economic and social development in the regions we serve."
Scotland’s minister for transport Dey said: "I’m delighted to see AGS Airports lay out their plans to reduce emissions across their sites and play their part in helping Scotland achieve our ambitious climate change targets.
"I warmly welcome their commitment to achieving net zero carbon for direct emissions by the mid-2030s and working with the wider aviation sector to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045.
"Working together, the Government and the aviation industry can look to create a future in which we enjoy the social and economic benefits of air travel without having an impact on the environment."
In 2020, AGS Airports was recognised as an "airport transport sector lead" for its sustainability performance by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) which assesses the environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of real estate and infrastructure portfolios.
Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton were ranked first, second and third respectively within both the UK and European Transport: Airport Companies categories. In the same worldwide category, Glasgow was ranked first, Aberdeen second and Southampton sixth.
About AGS Airports
AGS Airports was established in 2014 to invest in Aberdeen International, Glasgow and Southampton airports and is the second largest airport group in the UK.
AGS Airports is jointly held by Ferrovial (via Faero UK) and AGS Airports International Sarl (a Luxembourg company that is majority owned by Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 4 and managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (Europe)).
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