Glasgow Airport achieves Gold Pledge from Zero Waste Scotland

Airport awarded Gold in national scheme helping businesses to use their resources more efficiently

Glasgow Airport has been awarded gold this winter for resource efficiency as part of a national campaign.

Backed by the Scottish Government, The Resource Efficiency Pledge helps businesses use energy, water and raw materials more efficiently and sustainably throughout their operations.

Since 2014, almost 200 organisations across Scotland have taken steps to save money and strengthen their businesses through the Pledge. Glasgow Airport has achieved the Bronze, Silver and Gold Pledge awards to date and is now working towards the Platinum Pledge this year.

Actions included in order for a business to achieve a Gold Pledge include the implementation of a Sustainable Procurement Policy, achieving carbon neutrality and Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2. Airport-specific environmental training and monitoring and a plan to reduce food waste across the campus were also introduced.

Kirsty Webster, Glasgow Airport’s sustainability manager, said: “Achieving the Gold Pledge for resource efficiency is another reflection of the efforts being made to improve efficiency and reduce waste not only by the team employed directly by Glasgow Airport, but also our colleagues across the hundred plus businesses that make up the wider campus.

“While improving how we manage our resources brings with it cost-efficiency benefits, delivering them across our operations plays an absolutely vital role in how we continue on our journey to achieving our wider sustainability targets.”

In June last year AGS Airports Ltd, which owns and operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, launched its Sustainability Strategy, which sets out how the Group will balance the undoubted social and economic benefits of aviation with its climate change responsibilities.

AGS airports achieved carbon neutrality status in 2020 and the group has now set a roadmap for its transition to net zero by the mid-2030s which will involve the decarbonisation of AGS’ infrastructure.

Glasgow Airport also recently announced plans to deliver further sustainable benefits including the building of a 30-acre solar farm that will generate the energy equivalent to powering 52,000 homes. The airport is also part of a consortium, which also includes the University of Strathclyde, that will introduce dual-purpose wind panels on its airfield to harness carbon-neutral energy and mitigate noise.  

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Every business has opportunities to cut greenhouse gas emissions, whether it’s from travel, your electricity and heating, or the products you buy. Going green also offers a chance to make savings and give your business an edge or a USP. This is particularly important when it comes to your consumption, which research shows is unsustainably high.

“We need a system wide change that enables us all to choose more sustainable ways to live, maximising the use of the things we buy and making sure we repurpose things at end of life. By taking steps to implement a sustainable procurement policy and reduce food waste, Glasgow Airport is demonstrating what’s possible in the climate change fight.”