sSustainable & Safe Performance

Sustainability and safety as foundations

Sustainability and safety are fundamental principles governing the actions and activities of all aviation and non-aviation activities across our Group. Schiphol has a responsibility to uphold these principles, which is an integral consideration in the many decisions we make as an organisation. In this sense, Sustainable & Safe Performance is not only an important theme in its own right, but also directly underpins each of the four other themes that form the basis of our strategy.

As we grow, and our passenger numbers expand, maintaining a healthy and safe working environment for staff and safe surroundings for passengers and local residents has never been more important. Working in close collaboration with our partners, and following the advice of the Dutch Safety Board (OVV), we continue to prioritise, and enhance, our safety management processes, both at Schiphol and our regional airports. In this way, we strive to be a High Reliability Organisation (HRO) with a proactive health and safety culture.

We make every effort to increase the positive effect of our activities and to minimise any negative impact. In particular, we realise that noise disturbance and air quality are key sources of current concern with regard to our airports' future growth and, as a committed neighbour, we are engaged in continuous consultation on these issues.

Schiphol Group aims to lead by example within the aviation sector when it comes to sustainability. Our ambition is to become the most sustainable airport operator in the world, while paying particular attention to four key topics: (1) sustainable aviation, (2) zero-emissions, (3) zero-waste, and (4) wellbeing. We collaborate with partners on these themes and we have defined two long-term goals: ensuring the airports operated by Schiphol Group are zero-waste and zero-emissions by 2030.

Our objectives are closely linked to national and international climate-related ambitions. These include the Dutch aviation sector’s ‘Smart and Sustainable’ action plan (for further details, see the People, environment and community section in Our results) as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) targets, the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainable Development Goals

In 2016, we examined our activities in light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Of the 17 SDGs, six are highly relevant to our activities and our role in the value chain. We are working to increase our positive impact and reduce our negative impact with regard to each of these six SDGs as part of our ongoing contribution to a futureproof aviation industry.

	SDG 8	Decent work and economic growth
	SDG 9	Industry innovation and infrastructure
	SDG 11	Sustainable cities and communities
	SDG 12	Responsible consumption and production
	SDG 13	Climate action
	SDG 17	Partnerships for the goals