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Belfast International Airport Recognised for Sustainability
Belfast International Airport, member of VINCI Airports, has been recognised as one of the Top 40 performing sustainable businesses in Northern Ireland and awarded platinum in the annual NI Environmental Benchmarking survey. The Airport is one of 132 organisations that were acknowledged in the survey, which is organised by responsible business network Business in the Community (BITC).
VINCI Airports are committed to achieving zero emissions by 2050 across the entire network. Environmental transition is a key part of the operational strategy focusing on reducing emissions, protecting biodiversity and natural environments and adapting a circular economy approach.
The team at Belfast International Airport have already achieved several awards for driving sustainability including silver level in the Business & Biodiversity Charter and Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ in the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) scheme.
Kevin Napier, Compliance Manager at Belfast International Airport said: “We are delighted to be recognised for our efforts in reducing our environmental impact and achieving our sustainability goals. We have introduced several initiatives site wide that are working hand in hand to drive our overall environmental performance.
“Swapping fuel in airport vehicles for HVO has reduced carbon emissions by 90%, saving more than 290 tonnes of carbon emissions each year and we have also introduced seven electric vehicles on site to decarbonise transportation. Through our biodiversity work, we have transformed land into an area called Millenium Wood and have created a diverse space that wildlife and plants can flourish. And, we have taken our first steps towards a circular economy approach by increasing recycling levels on site.
“Meeting these targets is core focus for the business, which will create a more sustainable future for the Airport and wider community.”
Kieran Harding, Managing Director, BITC said: “The Survey is a self-disclosure exercise that offers organisations a way to be externally assessed and scored on their environmental efforts and performance. Participating organisations have access to a Gap Analysis Report to help them to identify areas that need action and highlights where they are performing well, so it’s a comparison tool and real driver for improvement.”
132 NI-based organisations from sectors including: General Manufacturing; Local Authority; Education; Utilities; Construction; ICT; and Food and Drink took part in the Survey, with 39 organisations achieving coveted top Platinum level.
On some of the findings from the Survey, Keelin McCone, Head of Environment, BITC said: “We can see that businesses in NI recognise that an increase in the likelihood of extreme weather events due to climate change poses significant challenges to operations, supply chains, and long-term financial stability.
“The Survey highlighted that at least 89% of companies have identified climate risks to their business and just over half of organisations who took part in the Survey have mitigation plans in place.
“Biodiversity is being considered too, with 65% of businesses reporting that they have taken action to improve their impacts by making biodiversity a fundamental element in their ESG strategy. They’re making a difference along the value chain too, by engaging with sub-contractors, the local community, and schools, to clean up local green areas, provide bird boxes, planters, soil and wildflower seeds.”
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