COMMITMENTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE VISION
In accordance with its strategic objectives and in line with its values, Genève Aéroport aims to uphold its environmental, social and economic responsibilities in order to achieve sustainable development.
These commitments are translated into concrete solutions across the management of the entire airport infrastructure and the services offered on the platform.
The actions aim at enabling the airport to sustainably meet the air connectivity needs of the region and the country, by minimising any negative impacts associated with the operation of the airport and by maximising its positive effects.
They are implemented in the relations with the main stakeholders:
- The users, who benefit from quality, accessible infrastructures and services, responding as much as possible to everyone’s needs, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and limiting emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases.
- The residents, by limiting noise and air quality nuisance and by cultivating dialogue and promoting local economic development.
- The partners, emphasising healthy working relationships while promoting equitable benefits and ethical products.
- The personnel, who benefit from a quality work environment that guarantees gender equality, encourages diversity and the development of skills, ensuring their health, safety and well-being.
A well defined operating framework
The operating and development framework of airport infrastructure is defined by the SAIP Sheet of Genève Aéroport adopted by the Federal Council in November 2018. It lays down the general operating conditions, the airfield perimeter, the equipment, the noise exposure, as well as the elements for nature and landscape protection.
The SAIP Sheet was subject to a wide consultation with the concerned Swiss and French authorities. This allowed Genève Aéroport to take into account all the expectations in order to place the airport’s evolution in the wider context of the sustainable development of the region.
2020 Objectives
In collaboration with all its stakeholders, Genève Aéroport works to continuously improve its commitments and pursues a variety of objectives that contribute significantly to eleven of the seventeen United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). The SDGs define global priorities and aspirations in terms of prosperity, well-being and preservation of the environment by 2030. Genève Aéroport's sustainability objectives are periodically reviewed on the basis of materiality analyses and dialogue with stakeholders.
2020 sustainable development goals*
SDG 3: Good health and well-being
- The 2020 target is being reassessed.
SDG 6: Clean water and sustainable sanitation
- 100% treatment of the pollutant load linked to de-icing products
- Objective achieved in 2019
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
- 25% improvement in energy efficiency compared to 2006. Objective achieved and exceeded in 2019.
- 56% renewable energy in total consumption. Objective achieved and exceeded in 2019
- 40% of vehicles in use on the apron are electric.
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- 4/5 passenger satisfaction index
- This target is no longer relevant due to the Covid 19 epidemic. It is being reassessed.
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
- 45% of passengers and employees use public transport
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13: Climate action
- 12 kg of CO2 emitted per passenger or 100 kg of freight transported
- Objective achieved and exceeded in 2019
SDG 15: Life on land
- 26 species of protected plants maintained on the airport site
*Genève Aéroport has no quantified target for 2020 for SDGs 5, 8, 10 and 17.
Sustainability governance
The head of the environment and sustainable development department, an associate member of the General Management, is responsible for the development and management of the sustainability approach and its main sectoral strategies within a process of continuous improvement. The environment and sustainable development department is made up of three sectors: sustainable development, environment and noise reduction.
These work to integrate sustainable development targets into Genève Aéroport's projects and activities. They also ensure that the airport and its partners meet their obligations and commitments. Department members are a source of sustainability expertise within the company and work in collaboration with all departments to provide the necessary technical support.
EHS ambassadors are present within each department to facilitate the dissemination of information, coordinate the implementation of best practices and promote the emergence of a culture of sustainable development. They follow specific internal training on occupational health and safety, environmental protection and global sustainability issues.
Led by the head of sustainable development, the Cross-cutting sustainable development committee is the strategic and operational body that supports Genève Aéroport in achieving sustainability goals. It is made up of senior representatives appointed by each departmental director. The committee meets four times a year and on an ad hoc basis for specific purposes. The committee reports directly to the General Management.
Sustainability is a recurring item on the agenda for weekly Executive Board meetings. Four strategic performance indicators are linked to sustainability issues.
The board of directors is updated quarterly on progress in sustainability.