Work to begin on creation of global framework for ESG reporting

ACI World is to work with global aviation consultancies Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO) and To70 on the creation of a global standardised framework for improved airport environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) reporting.

The association notes that airports “face the ongoing challenge of investing in infrastructure to meet future air travel demand, while also ensuring any new developments are designed, constructed, and operated in an economically sustainable, inclusive, socially and environmentally responsible way”.

The creation of a global framework for ESG will build on the ACI World ESG Management Best Practice and the work of various ACI regions, and represents a further focus on ESG reporting in the industry.

It also supports ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, the only institutionally endorsed, global carbon management certification program for airports.

The global framework for ESG aims to give airports an institutional framework for governance, compliance, and stewardship, taking into account different legal and regulatory requirements from country to country and region to region.

ACI World director general, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, said: “This project offers airports a useful tool as they consider ESG reporting.

“We are happy to have trusted industry experts working on the consolidation and synthesis of reporting mechanisms used across regions who will, with the support of our members and key actors in the finance community, develop a comprehensive, enduring framework for the sector.”

NACO director, Esther Kromhout, noted: “ESG has rightly become a key agenda item for airports and institutions around the world.

“We’re proud to have been appointed to lead the development of this framework, which will give all airports the guidance they need to implement, review, and monitor ESG meaningfully within their operations.”

Ruud Ummels, director at To70, commented: “Airport decarbonisation must be tackled in synergy with leading ESG frameworks. By building bridges between carbon reduction roadmaps and an airport specific standard for ESG reporting, we will assure airports can obtain the green investments needed to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2050 or before.”

For the second phase of the project, the NACO and To70 team will develop an ESG framework for Hamad International Airport and Kigali International Airport, which it is hoped will serve as a pilot and further refinement of the ESG Global Framework before it is released for wider application.