OUR SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT

We proactively assess and manage the environmental impact of our operations in line with our integrated transformation and sustainability objectives. While our impact on the environment was considerably lower during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has naturally increased as normal operations have resumed.

Socio-economic impact

We support and enable economic growth, transformation and development through our operations, although our ability to do so was naturally affected during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the immediate post-pandemic period.

Our socio-economic impact study for the 2024 financial year once again demonstrated how much our positive impact on communities and the national economy has been compromised by the Covid-19 pandemic, illustrating just how widespread and devastating its effects have been.

We are nevertheless deeply committed to managing our environmental impact and have best-practice strategies, policies, processes and procedures in place to do so. Ongoing engagements are held with the relevant regulators to ensure that ACSA remains compliant with its obligations regarding environmental monitoring and reporting.

ISO 14001:2015

The certification audits for all nine airports took place during the reporting period. All met the requirements of the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Standard and were duly certified. Audits will continue in line with the usual certification cycle.

Legislation and compliance

In terms of compliance, we have contracted environmental legal consultants to assist with the development and implementation of site-specific environmental legal registers, which take into account primary, secondary and tertiary legislation in all spheres of government. These registers will provide each airport with the legal requirements pertinent for their location and context, as well as with formal means for tracking compliance.

Airport carbon accreditation

OR Tambo International, Cape Town International, King Shaka International and Chief Dawid Stuurman International all maintained their Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation throughout the reporting period. Level 2 accreditation is only awarded if an airport is able to demonstrate emissions reductions for the accreditation period when compared to the rolling average over the previous three years.

As recovery improves, we will investigate the feasibility of expanding this programme to the remaining airports in our portfolio.

Emissions reporting and carbon tax

We also continue to report on the emissions produced by our standby generators as per the requirements of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (No. 39 of 2004) and consequently file for carbon tax in our annual disclosures to the South African Revenue Service.

Roadmap to carbon neutrality

The constraints on capital expenditure during and immediately after the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in us having to adjust the timing on the projects that make up our Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality. While the initial goal of achieving carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions at all of our nine airports by 2030 has not changed, the timing of the projects required to reach this goal has been amended, with most energyreduction projects having been moved into the 2027 to 2030 period.

At present, our focus is on the production of renewable energy at our largest airports, which is not only contributing to our carbon neutrality goals but also reducing our dependency on the national grid. These initiatives, together with the use of natural gas to generate electricity, which is less carbon-intensive than coal-powered generation, are helping us to lower carbon emissions.

On the fuel side of the equation, the rising cost of aviation fuel necessitates that we invest in research and development to further explore Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). We are also exploring partnerships to develop infrastructure for the production of SAF at all of our airports. In addition, we are steadily introducing more battery-powered vehicles for ground handling and transportation functions at all of our airports.

We anticipate that these initiatives will position ACSA as a leader in sustainable aviation and airport management practices.

Noise management

As in the previous period, the number of noise complaints received was very low, with only one complaint being logged at Upington International Airport (2023: 5). The low number of complaints is evidence of the successful implementation of noise abatement measures at all of our airports.

Bird strikes

The number of bird strikes reported during the period was 322 (2023: 254). The increase in the number of strikes should be seen in relation to the progressive recovery to normal business operations and the increase in passenger traffic. We have comprehensive and humane bird strike management procedures in place at all of our airports.

Environmental incidents

The were no environmental incidents during the reporting period.

Key environmental metrics

As at 18 May 2024