ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Donegal Airport recognises the importance of taking action to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to mitigate the increasing impacts of climate change, combined with action to ensure the airport assess its wider impacts on sustainability. Measures to reduce GHG emissions at Donegal Airport are well underway, but more must be done over the short-term and coming decades to support wider society in achieving net zero by 2050. This policy statement details the significant commitments our airport is making to reduce its GHG emissions, whilst reflecting the realities of the complex, multi-faceted challenges the aviation sector faces. For example, level of technological readiness and supply chain challenges in the alternative to fossil-based aviation fuels. We have worked tirelessly since 2017 to reduce our scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, and in 2023 announced that we have achieved our goal of 51% reduction by 2030 ahead of schedule, achieving a 70.6% reduction on our 2017 baseline in 2023.

We understand the importance of being transparent in the way we report our emissions and to also remain ambitious. Our role as a critical regional connection and our deep-rooted history will allow us to contribute to the wider decarbonisation of the aviation sector in Ireland, and we are committed to working with partners in our supply chain and in our communities to embed emission reductions across our organisation.

During 2023, we drafted our first net zero decarbonisation plan and quantified our scope 3 emissions. In addition, we developed a climate risk assessment to better understand the projected climate risks and the associated impacts on our operations as the century progresses, allowing us to embed effective adaptation opportunities across the airport. In 2024 we are widening the quantification of our emissions, with the inclusion of scope 3 emissions to include all relevant Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) categories and will apply for Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Level 4 ‘Transformation’, highlighting our dedication to reducing emissions. Our impact extends beyond carbon, and in 2024 we have committed to the development of a sustainability strategy to assess our wider environmental, social, human and financial impacts. We will create a strategy to mitigate the impacts identified and to provide positive community outcomes such as, through supporting a just transition. We will continue to support the development of local and national plans in relation to environment and sustainability, such as the National Climate Adaptation Plan and National Climate Adaptation Strategy.