Sustainability topics
Zurich Airport Group concerns itself with a multitude of sustainability topics, with five material topics taking priority.
A materiality analysis has been performed to measure the company’s impact on the economy, the environment and society. The last comprehensive, Group-wide analysis was conducted in 2021. In 2023, individual materiality analyses were performed for the sites in Brazil and Chile, based on the 15 sustainability topics that were defined for the Group. Finally, an independent analysis was also carried out during the reporting year in Noida, India in order to identify material topics.
The analysis enables the impact of the Zurich Airport Group to be summarised in 15 sustainability topics (see Overview of sustainability topics). These include both sector-specific issues such as safety and noise, along with general concerns such as climate change, biodiversity or human rights. All the sustainability topics were assessed in relation to the significance of their impacts. Each of the topics was quantitatively evaluated, and five with the highest scores were deemed material. Wherever possible this was performed along the entire value chain to include both upstream and downstream processes. The existence of material risks arising from business activities was likewise incorporated. Each year, Zurich Airport Ltd. examines whether the topics defined as material for the Group are still sufficiently relevant, and adjusts them where necessary. No changes were made during the reporting year.
Many experts from various divisions across the Group were involved in the process of identifying and evaluating the topics. They contributed the insights gained from regular discussions with stakeholder groups to the analysis.
All of the sustainability topics that were identified are shown in the chart below. They are grouped into columns representing specific local, environmental and social impacts:
Overview of sustainability topics
All 15 sustainability topics identified are of significance for the company. Five of them were also classified as material and form part of the strategic direction of the Zurich Airport Group (see strategy). These materials topics are described in greater detail together with related key data later in the report. A management approach is also explicitly stated as required by the GRI Standard.
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Topic |
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Description |
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Regional contribution |
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Contribute to value creation and economic development in the region and to quality of life and locational amenity in general. |
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Noise |
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Reduce noise arising from aircraft and operations and protect residents against excessive noise. |
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Climate |
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Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take measures to counter the impact of climate change at our locations. |
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Occupational and aviation safety |
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Protect employees, customers, passengers and visitors as well as the infrastructure against damage arising from accidents or criminal acts. |
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Business ethics |
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Act reliably, transparently and fairly towards business partners, competitors and authorities. |
Overview of material topics
While environmental topics are systematically addressed at all sites, the environmental management system of Zurich Airport Ltd. at the Zurich site is also certified according to the international standard ISO 14001:2015. Certification has been in place since 2001 and is audited annually.
