Birmingham Airport releases Sustainability Update 2023-2024
Image courtesy BHX
Key developments in the last financial year include:
- The continuation of a reduction in carbon emissions following the switch to a 100% renewable energy supplier in 2022, with a noticeable reduction of 25% against the 2019 baseline.
- The airport was awarded Level 3 (Optimisation) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) from Airports Council International (ACI) Europe for a second year. The category, benchmarked against 500 airports worldwide, heavily scrutinises the airport’s decarbonising activities and stakeholder engagement.
Stakeholder engagement grew this year with the inaugural Sustainability Week held on-site. This week- long event raised awareness of the strategy through a series of events and activities linked to key sustainability themes.
- On-going discussions have continued in line with the latest Government policy for aviation fuel supplies to become sustainable. The airport continues to work with partners to target Sustainable Aviation Fuel supplies.
- Two International Excellence CSR awards recognising the airport’s progress in waste management. The new process became operational in late 2023 and has achieved industry leading recycling rates of over 80%.
- In collaboration with the Airport Consultative Committee a review is underway to update the current Night Flying Policy. This review will take the airport through the next three years ensuring growth forecasts are enabled, unlocking wider benefits to the airport and West Midlands region.
Simon Richards, Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer, Birmingham Airport, said: “In just the last year, tremendous steps have been taken working towards our goal of low-carbon growth and to be a Net Zero Carbon Airport by 2033.
“We have always been honest in our approach to this goal in that there is no one set solution. We have committed to work closely with our on-site partners and suppliers but also engage heavily with our peers to ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of all we do. Our Sustainability Strategy keeps us on target and measurable in our actions, ensuring we reach our goal.”
In recognition of all these achievements the Airport has also made significant progress against the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB). In 2019 our GRESB score was 56%, in 2023 we achieved a score of 82% which is a significant increase and gratifying validation of our investment in sustainability.
To find out more on Birmingham Airport's sustainability strategy click here and for more on its 2033 net zero journey here.
