Climate Change Data

AGS Airports

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020, 2021-2022, 2023)

Reporting Period: 2020

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:80,936 tCO2e/year (2020)
Scope 1 Emissions:4,574 tCO2e/year (2020)
Scope 2 Emissions:0 tCO2e/year (2020)
Scope 3 Emissions:76,343 tCO2e/year (2020)
Renewable Energy Share:100% (electricity)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change
  • Noise
  • Economic Development & Employability
  • Local Air Quality
  • Supporting Our Communities
  • Sustainable Supply Chain
  • Material Resources
  • Supporting Our People
  • Water
  • Biodiversity

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced direct carbon emissions by 52% since 2018
  • Achieved carbon neutrality status for all three airports in 2020
  • 100% of electricity purchased from renewable sources since April 2018
  • 100% diversion from landfill policy on all non-hazardous waste (Aberdeen Airport)
  • 100% diversion of non-hazardous waste from landfill since 2015 (Glasgow Airport)
  • Glasgow Airport introduced a full-electric bus fleet in 2019, reducing carbon emissions from 143 tonnes per year to zero
  • Southampton Airport was the first UK airport to use LED lighting on aircraft stands and install solar-powered LED runway safety lighting

Social Achievements

  • Over £2M to local communities since 2010
  • Supported vulnerable people with food donations (Aberdeen Airport)
  • Supported community scheme to sew scrubs for health workers (Southampton Airport)
  • Provided two days of paid volunteering leave per year for employees
  • Established partnerships with local schools, colleges, and universities

Governance Achievements

  • All three airports achieved Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2 and will apply for Level 3+ in 2022
  • AGS is a signatory to the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter
  • Aberdeen and Glasgow airports are signatories to the Scottish Business Pledge
  • AGS joined the Slave Free Alliance in 2020

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Support UK aviation sector achieve net zero carbon emissions (Scopes 1 to 3) by 2045
Medium-term Goals:
  • Achieve net zero carbon for direct emissions (Scopes 1 & 2) by mid-2030s
  • Target no net loss of biodiversity across AGS Airports by 2030
Short-term Goals:
  • Achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 3+ for all airports by 2022
  • Implement integrated management system (Managing Responsibly System) by 2022
  • Ban all unavoidable single-use products within terminals by 2022
  • Roll out electric charging infrastructure by 2022
  • Develop and implement an air quality strategy across all airports by 2022
  • Implement a water stewardship plan with airport partners by 2022
  • Achieve Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Benchmark by 2022
  • Deliver Noise Action Plans and report annually by 2021
  • Establish Noise Insulation Schemes at each airport by 2021
  • Establish a Community Noise Forum at each airport by 2022
  • Re-establish community funds and charitable partnerships post-COVID by 2022
  • Establish a Community Health Fund at Southampton Airport by 2022
  • Implement a gender equality strategy by 2022
  • Align policies and processes with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by 2021
  • Establish a start-up accelerator hub by 2022
  • Work with the Slave Free Alliance to review approach to modern slavery and develop an action plan by 2022
  • Establish a supplier code of conduct by 2022

Environmental Challenges

  • COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted operations and carbon footprint
  • Scope 3 emissions (94.3% of total footprint) are a major challenge
  • High cost and limited supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
  • Surface access challenges, particularly at Glasgow Airport (37% of emissions in 2019)
  • Noise pollution from aircraft operations
Mitigation Strategies
  • Developed net zero roadmaps for each airport, aiming for net zero direct emissions by mid-2030s
  • Investing in energy saving and carbon reduction measures (17 measures modeled)
  • Working with industry and government to decarbonise the aviation sector
  • Promoting SAF, hydrogen, and electric flight
  • Implementing noise reduction measures and Noise Action Plans
  • Supporting the development of Glasgow Metro to improve surface access and reduce emissions

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • AGS Sustainable and Ethical Procurement Policy
  • Partnership with Slave Free Alliance

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities
  • Development of energy-efficient products and services
  • Opportunities for self-generation of power at airports
  • Development of smart infrastructure for intelligent energy use
  • Transition to sustainable energy sources for ground operations

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, Airport Carbon Accreditation, PAS 2060

Certifications: ISO 14001:2015 (target for all airports)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)

The strategy aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Airport Council International (Europe) Sustainability Strategy for Airports.

Reporting Period: 2021-2022

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:109,038 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:4,800 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:0 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:104,221 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:100% (electricity)
Water Consumption:201,810 m3/year

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change
  • Community Support
  • Economic Growth
  • Employee Well-being
  • Sustainable Supply Chain
  • Noise Management
  • Biodiversity

Environmental Achievements

  • Maintained carbon neutrality status for direct emissions (Scopes 1 & 2)
  • 100% renewable electricity sourcing
  • Achieved Level 3+ AirportCarbon Accreditation (ACA)
  • Diverted 100% of non-hazardous waste from landfill
  • Reduced water consumption by 33% compared to 2019
  • Plans for largest solar farm at a Scottish airport (Glasgow)
  • Partnership with ZeroAvia to explore hydrogen-powered aircraft
  • Collaboration with Cranfield University on carbon capture feasibility study
  • Investment in fixed electrical ground power (FEGP) to replace diesel generators

Social Achievements

  • Donated over £100k to local communities
  • Launched UK’s first medical drone delivery network (£10m funding secured)
  • Established noise insulation schemes
  • Launched new benefits platform for staff
  • Developed compulsory sustainability training module for all staff
  • Improved approach to noise complaints at Southampton Airport
  • Launched Propellor Fund (Aberdeen) and FlightPath Fund (Glasgow) for community support
  • Supported various community initiatives (e.g., Clydeside Collective, Bikes for Refugees)

Governance Achievements

  • AGS is a signatory to the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter
  • Completed staff diversity perception survey and pay gap analysis
  • Introduced ESG survey for new suppliers
  • Joined the Slave Free Alliance
  • Implemented Sustainable and Ethical Procurement Policy
  • Conducted climate change adaptation reporting at all airports

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Net zero emissions by the mid-2030s
Medium-term Goals:
  • Achieve net zero for direct emissions by the mid-2030s
Short-term Goals:
  • Launch noise insulation schemes in 2023
  • Conduct air quality monitoring surveys at Aberdeen and Southampton airports in 2023

Environmental Challenges

  • Scope 3 emissions (95.6% of total emissions)
  • Airport-related noise concerns
  • Impact of climate change on airport operations
  • Managing waste and achieving zero waste
  • Maintaining sustainable supply chains
Mitigation Strategies
  • Carbon offsetting through Gold Standard projects
  • Investment in renewable energy sources
  • Noise Action Plans and continuous descent operations
  • Climate change adaptation reporting and risk management
  • Waste reduction initiatives and recycling programs
  • ESG supplier surveys and sustainable procurement policies
  • Collaboration with industry partners on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • AGS Sustainable and Ethical Procurement Policy
  • ESG survey for new suppliers
  • Requirements for PPE and uniform suppliers to map sourcing locations and demonstrate no cheap labor or exploitation

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Flooding
  • High winds
  • High/extended periods of snowfall
Opportunities
  • Development of hydrogen fuel infrastructure
  • Investment in renewable energy
  • Carbon capture and storage

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, AirportCarbon Accreditation (ACA)

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 22301, ISO 55001, ISO 45001

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:187,532 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:4,478 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:0 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:182,994 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:100% (electricity)
Water Consumption:283,943 m3/year
Waste Generated:1,559 tons/year

ESG Focus Areas

  • Achieving net zero
  • Supporting our communities
  • Supporting our people

Environmental Achievements

  • Maintained carbon neutrality for Scopes 1 & 2 emissions.
  • 100% of electricity purchased from renewable sources since April 2018.
  • Reduced direct emissions by 66% since 2018.
  • 100% of non-hazardous waste diverted from landfill.
  • Developed a 19.9MW solar farm at Glasgow Airport (completion expected end of 2024).
  • Introduced fluorine-free fire-fighting foam at all three airports.

Social Achievements

  • Awarded over £170,000 to 90 charities and community organizations.
  • Hosted jobs fairs with 70 companies showcasing over 600 job opportunities.
  • 700 jobs created across airports.
  • Launched Flight Tracking Portal providing near live 3D visualization of aircraft operations.

Governance Achievements

  • Maintained ISO 14001, ISO 22301, ISO 55001, and ISO 45001 certifications.
  • All three airports maintained Level 3+ Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA).

Climate Goals & Targets

Medium-term Goals:
  • Achieving net zero carbon for direct emissions (Scopes 1 & 2) by the mid-2030s.
Short-term Goals:
  • Completion of Glasgow Airport's 19.9MW solar farm by end of 2024.

Environmental Challenges

  • 72% increase in total carbon footprint in 2022 compared to 2021 due to post-COVID-19 travel recovery.
  • Scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions) constitute 97.6% of total emissions.
  • Airport-related noise is an important issue for neighboring communities.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Updated net zero roadmap focusing on decarbonizing heating and groundside transport.
  • Investing in low-carbon technologies (heat pumps, electric/hydrogen vehicles).
  • Working with airline partners and industry to address Scope 3 emissions.
  • Enhanced noise insulation policies and Noise Action Plans.
  • Implementing Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) and Continuous Climb Departures (CCD) to reduce noise.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • AGS Sustainable and Ethical Procurement Policy; ESG survey for new suppliers.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Flooding
  • High wind
  • High/extended periods of snowfall
Opportunities
  • Development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)
  • Hydrogen powered flight
  • On-site renewable energy generation

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, ACA

Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 22301, ISO 55001, ISO 45001, ACA Level 3+