Manchester Airports Group publishes impact of its CSR efforts

CEO Ken O’Toole hailed the impact of the group’s sustainability, education and community efforts as Manchester Airports Group (MAG) publishes in annual CSR Report for 2023/24.

Detailing the progress against the delivery of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy, ‘Working together for a brighter future’, the report highlights achievements across the group’s three sustainability pillars: Zero Carbon Airports, Opportunity for All and Local Voices.

Commenting on the report, MAG CEO Ken O’Toole has praised the “hard work and enthusiasm” of his colleagues at the group’s three UK airports (Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports) in creating a sustainable future for all.  

This year, the Group retained its five-star GRESB rating, as well securing a Gold Standard rating from EcoVadis – two leading ESG benchmarking tools.

As MAG moves closer to its target of net zero carbon operations by 2038, and towards the industry target of 2050, the Group’s airports have continued to deliver initiatives to support the transition to zero carbon aviation. This includes the introduction of a new fleet of electric airfield ground vehicles across its airports, including Manchester, alongside the announcement of a 14.3MW Solar Farm at London Stansted to help meet the airport’s energy needs.

In March, the Group published research conducted by transport sustainability experts ICF, which found that using the 27 million tonnes of annual UK household waste to make Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) would be at least five times better for the environment than burning the waste to generate electricity.

The Group also welcomed positive developments from the Government this year, including its announcement to introduce a UK SAF mandate from 2025, that means that by 2030 at least 10% of all aviation fuel in the UK must be SAF. In 2021, Manchester Airport signed an agreement with Fulcrum Bioenergy UK with a view to becoming the first in the UK to secure a direct pipeline supply of SAF. In September, MAG supported the Government’s decision to bring forward legislation that will create a Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM) for SAF in the UK.

MAG’s long-standing commitment to inspiring the next-generation of aviation professionals was underlined during the year, with more than 5,500 young people passing through the AeroZone education facilities at its three airports – with more than 2,100 of these at Manchester. Nearly 1,000 people from underprivileged backgrounds or who had been out of work for an extended period were given training and employability support at Manchester Airport Academy last year.

MAG CEO Ken O’Toole said:

“Through the achievements we have published today in our annual CSR Report, it is clear that creating a sustainable future for all is a central commitment at MAG.

“I am proud of the programmes and initiatives we continue to deliver on an annual basis, as well as always finding new ways to enhance our work to decarbonsise our sector, inspire the next generation of aviation professionals and support our local communities.

“It is testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of colleagues right across our Group that we are able to offer such a comprehensive sustainability programme, and for that approach to be independently recognised as at a five-star standard.

“It is clear to me that our business has the ability to make a real impact on the lives of young people who are exploring their career options, and I look forward to continuing this work that will create a pipeline of young, talented individuals starting work in the aviation sector.

“As we develop our new five-year CSR Strategy, we will continue to develop our commitment to sustainability, to ensure that our industry can continue to thrive into the future.”