All nine of Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) airports have been certified as compliant with the most-recognised international standard for environmental management systems.
The certification is a further milestone in the implementation of the sustainability strategy of ACSA that has seen it also receive Level 1 carbon accreditation for four airports and build solar energy plants at three of its airports.
The latest certification was performed in terms of the International Standards Organisation’s ISO14001: 2015 standard which sets out the criteria for an environmental management system. The standard maps out a framework that an organisation can follow to set up an effective environmental management system.
Operating in an environmentally responsible manner
ACSA’s sustainability strategy focuses on the environmental impact of its airports including water and energy conservation, waste management, alien vegetation removal, wildlife conservation, reduction in carbon emissions, management of airport noise levels and minimising the broader impact of airline operations on the environment.
Commenting on the achievement Fundi Sithebe, Chief Operating Officer at ACSA says the ISO certification is used worldwide for companies to map out a framework that they can follow in setting up an effective environmental management system.
“Our certification involved significant aspects for the environmental performance improvement of our nine airports such as fuel handling, waste disposal from both terminals, aeroplanes and engineering. We are very proud of this ISO certification as it affirms Airports Company South Africa’s commitment to operating our airports in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.”
Excellence in environmental performance
The ISO certification was performed by DNV GL, one of the world’s leading certification bodies with operations in more than 100 countries.
Nicola Privato, Regional Manager of DNV GL – Business Assurance for the Southern Europe and Africa Region, says: “We are pleased to award this certification to Airports Company of South Africa. This is an important example of excellence in environmental performance for all the Airports around the world. It is very encouraging to see that such high impact facilities as the airports are taking the leadership in environmental sustainability and setting an example for other companies.”