Since 2016, Genève Aéroport has dedicated over CHF 30 million towards implementing a proactive and innovative environmental policy. This commitment translates into concrete solutions and quantifiable results. Concurrently, Genève Aéroport has increased direct and indirect collaboration with internal and external service providers (SUVA, easyJet, SIG, Swiss Federal Railways, Caritas, etc.), in order to enhance the impact of the measures adopted. The report highlights these partnerships, which play a vital role in achieving the ambitious goals.
Noise abatement measures
Reduction of noise related to airport operations by 2030 is one of the fundamental goals of the sustainable development policy.
Among the means implemented, a tax system aimed at encouraging the arrival of less noisy aircrafts has been adapted. Similarly, Genève Aéroport worked directly with the residents to fund soundproofing works in close to 400 homes in the past two years – increasing the number of soundproofed homes since 2004 to over 3600 homes.
Since December 2016, a noise-absorbing hall makes it possible to drastically reduce sound propagation from engine tests. Genève Aéroport has also endowed it with 1,200 m2 of photovoltaic panels.
Limiting the carbon footprint
Since 2012, Genève Aéroport has reduced its electricity consumption by 1.4 GWh (100% from renewable sources according to SIG supply contracts). Today, the solar panels at the site occupy more than
10,000 m², with a total electricity output of more than 1,000 MWh/year.
The use of less polluting vehicles is also a targeted area of focus. As such, the share of electric vehicles circulating on the tarmac reached 26%. As regards passengers, the funding of TPG tickets has proven to be a success, as 42% among them use public transport. At 44%, waste recycling has proven to be just as effective.
Since 2017, Genève Aéroport has been fully offsetting its own CO2 emissions, efforts that have been rewarded with
ACA 3+ certification issued by Airports Council International (ACI). This recognition allows Genève Aéroport to join the best airports club in terms of carbon offsetting: out of the 211 ACA-certified airports, only 37 have obtained the maximum level, namely 3+ (carbon neutral) certification.
Social issues at the heart of sustainability
To address the needs of the platform’s users and in order to ensure the highest quality of service to its passengers, Genève Aéroport must constantly adjust its infrastructure, while ensuring better conditions for those who work there, in addition to respecting the environment and residents.
As the notion of sustainability is not only related to the environment, Genève Aéroport selects its suppliers in accordance with public procurement rules, and systematically ensures that worker protection provisions are respected. The commitment of Genève Aéroport to employability as well as workplace health & safety has been recognised for several years through the “1+ pour tous” and “Friendly Workspace” certifications.
As a reminder, during fiscal year 2017, Genève Aéroport registered 17.4 million passengers for 58 airlines serving 141 destinations. According to a recent INFRAS study, the airport generated 33,600 direct, indirect and induced jobs, as well as CHF 4.1 billion in added value to the economy of the region.
Download the report in English here / Téléchargez le rapport en français ici.