Newcastle Airport has published its 2024 ESG report, highlighting significant progress in food waste management alongside broader sustainability achievements toward its commitment to achieve Net Zero Carbon status by 2035.
The airport’s most notable achievement in food waste management stems from its ‘Sustainability Champions’ group, launched in summer 2024. This initiative brings together Newcastle Airport’s Sustainability Team with key commercial and airside operation business partners, creating a collaborative framework for addressing sustainability challenges across airport operations.
Meeting every two months, the Sustainability Champions group has delivered results in food waste reduction, achieving a 288% increase in food waste recycling. This dramatic improvement demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between the airport management and its commercial partners, including restaurants, cafés, and other food service providers operating within the terminal.
The food waste recycling success contributes to the airport’s broader waste management improvements, with the facility achieving a 40% recycling rate in 2024, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. This progress reflects systematic improvements in waste segregation, collection, and processing across all airport operations.
“Our ESG report showcases the fantastic progress we have made across the business to move us closer to our Net Zero goal,” said Alice Andreasen, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Newcastle Airport. “From reducing our carbon emissions by 4% year on year, to increasing our recycling rate to 40%, we are incredibly proud of everything we achieved last year.”
Newcastle Airport: Comprehensive emissions reduction progress
Beyond food waste improvements, Newcastle Airport achieved a 4% reduction in carbon emissions between 2023 and 2024, contributing to a total decrease of 34% since 2019. This progress reflects the implementation of multiple sustainability initiatives designed to reduce the airport’s environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency.
Newcastle Airport’s solar farm represents a key component of its renewable energy strategy, capable of providing 100% of the terminal’s electricity requirements on sunny days. The solar installation prevented 478 tonnes of CO₂ from being released into the atmosphere in 2024, equivalent to the electricity needed to power 897 homes.
The airport has significantly expanded its use of sustainable transport solutions, with over 30% of its vehicle fleet now fully electric. For non-electric operational vehicles, the airport has introduced hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a fuel source, which cuts carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional diesel.
Newcastle Airport’s sustainability efforts have received significant industry recognition through multiple accreditation programs. The airport achieved Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4 status, a designation held by only 14% of all participating airports globally. This accreditation represents clear validation of the airport’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions through comprehensive measurement and reduction strategies.
The airport also scored 100% in the annual GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) assessment, making it one of only two airports in the UK to achieve this score. GRESB evaluates organizations based on key environmental performance metrics, and Newcastle Airport’s perfect score represents an improvement from 99% in 2023.
Regional alignment and community impact
Newcastle Airport’s sustainability efforts align with broader regional environmental objectives. The airport’s progress supports the cleaner, greener and fairer Net Zero North East ambition of the North East Combined Authority, demonstrating how individual organizational commitments contribute to larger regional sustainability goals.
“We recognise there is still more work to do but these results show that we are moving in the right direction to deliver a meaningful, lasting change that not only ensures that we have a sustainable future but also aligns with the cleaner, greener and fairer Net Zero North East ambition of the North East Combined Authority,” Andreasen continued.
The airport’s commitment to social responsibility extends beyond environmental initiatives. In 2024, the facility assisted 89,792 passengers who needed additional support, while raising thousands of pounds for True Colours Theatre, the airport’s official charity partner that empowers children and young people through performing arts.
Local government and investment partners have expressed support for Newcastle Airport’s sustainability leadership. Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council and Chair of the LA7 Airport shareholders, said: “Newcastle Airport continues to lead by example in the journey towards a greener future. These latest achievements reflect the Airport’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and align with our collective ambitions to be a low carbon region. Working collaboratively, we can continue to reduce our environmental impact and deliver benefits for our communities.”
Graeme Ferguson, Head of Airports at InfraBridge, added: “The progress Newcastle Airport is making toward its Net Zero Carbon goal reflects a clear and consistent approach to sustainability. The reductions in emissions, increased use of renewable energy and improved recycling efforts are important steps. InfraBridge supports the Airport’s commitment to long-term environmental responsibility and looks forward to continuing to work together on these goals.”
