GENERAL: AIA: Auckland Airport benchmarks sustainability

1 Jun 2010 8:44 am

AIA 01/06/2010 GENERAL

REL: 0844 HRS Auckland International Airport Limited

GENERAL: AIA: Auckland Airport benchmarks sustainability

Media Release | 1 June 2010

Auckland Airport benchmarks sustainability

1 June 2010, Auckland Airport - In an important milestone for Auckland Airport, it"s commitment to sustainable business practice has been recognised by EarthCheck, the world"s leading sustainable travel and tourism certification organisation.

The EarthCheck Programme is widely regarded as the world"s most scientifically rigorous. It measures key environmental indicators such as energy and water consumption, total waste production as well as community commitment.

Using the EarthCheck tool, Auckland Airport is committed to benchmarking local environmental and social issues such as biodiversity conservation, environmental investment and enhanced community socio-economic benefits. This involves submitting a year"s worth of operational data, and having it compared to that of other communities of a similar kind. As a result, Auckland Airport has achieved Bronze Benchmarked status.

By taking such a holistic view of sustainability practices, Auckland Airport was able to identify where they were out-performing others, and where room for improvement remained. Of particular note is Auckland Airport ,,s Best Practice achievement for its Sustainability Policy, the corner stone of its entire sustainability programme.

Martin Fryer Sustainability Advisor said "We are absolutely delighted to be awarded Bronze Benchmarked status. Over the past three years Auckland Airport has worked very hard to move towards more sustainable business practice. Receiving validation from Earthcheck, the only global sustainable tourism programme, provides recognition to the whole company for a continued commitment to sustainability." The EarthCheck Programme allows an organisation to compare its performance against that of others using more than a decade of factual, operational data, submitted by over 1000 communities, government entities and businesses in 60+ countries.

"I am delighted that Auckland Airport has achieved Benchmarked status," says Stewart Moore, CEO of EC3 Global. "Auckland Airport has recognised a maturing of the science behind climate change and environmental sustainability, and has chosen to apply the highest possible standard to an industry sector that comes under close scrutiny. They join another market leader - Kuala Lumpur international Airport - in using EarthCheck to demonstrate the role airports can taking in helping the travel and tourism industry take a proactive and positive stance.

"Going well beyond mere tick-box action is not an easy task. It requires the commitment of all staff, visitors and key stakeholders. Auckland Airport has emerged as an example of a community organisation committed to environmentally sustainable living, and the EarthCheck logo serves to demonstrate that their claims are credible." Ends

About Auckland Airport Today, Auckland Airport has been voted as one of the 10 best airports in the world two years in a row, and is a major driver of the regional and national economy. Auckland Airport generates billions of dollars, creating thousands of jobs, and making a vital contribution to New Zealand trade and tourism by strengthening connections with the world. Over 70 per cent of visitors enter or leave New Zealand via Auckland Airport, which handles over 13 million passengers a year. www.aucklandairport.co.nz

About EarthCheck EarthCheck is the next generation of environmental certification and benchmarking. It is the culmination of a journey that began in 1987 and continues to this day. Exclusively owned by EC3 Global, the EarthCheck Program is used by more sustainable travel and tourism companies than any other; helping them navigate the path forwards with certainty and peace of mind, while recognizing that the planet deserves more than half measures.

www.earthcheck.org

Media contact Richard Llewellyn Senior Communications Manager +64 9 255 9089 +64 27 477 6120 End CA:00195610 For:AIA Type:GENERAL Time:2010-06-01:08:44:50

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