Today is "SDG Flag Day," a day dedicated to raising awareness about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vital role they play in building a sustainable future. To mark this occasion, we sat down with Manuel Berger, our Head of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), to explore the significance of this day and how our company’s sustainability strategy aligns with these global goals.

Manuel, can you explain what the Sustainable Development Goals are and why they are important for Swissport?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 to address critical global challenges, such as poverty, inequality, environmental protection, and access to health and education. Each goal comes with specific targets to guide collective efforts worldwide.

For Swissport, the SDGs provide a framework to assess our impact on people and the environment and outline how we can contribute to meaningful change. They also encourage collaboration with our key partners, including airports and airlines, to support these global priorities. At Swissport, we've integrated the SDGs into our sustainability strategy, making them a central part of how we operate and plan.

Which SDGs does Swissport prioritize in its sustainability strategy, and why were these goals chosen?

We have prioritized goals within our three pillars: People, Planet, and Policy. Let me give you examples for each:

For the People pillar, we are focusing on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which is reflected in our "Safety First" approach aimed at ensuring the safety of all our colleagues. We also emphasize SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. To drive diversity and inclusion, we've established three Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) focused on gender balance, pride, and ability.

In the Planet pillar, a key priority is SDG 13: Climate Action. We are committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and are working to electrify our fleet and transition to green electricity to reduce our carbon footprint.

For the Policy pillar, we are focusing on SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. This is reflected in our strong compliance department, which includes a SpeakUp reporting hotline and reinforces our dedication to upholding our Code of Conduct.

Given that climate change is widely regarded as one of the most pressing global issues, how is Swissport tackling this challenge, and what actions are we taking to reduce our carbon footprint?

Swissport is accelerating its global transition to green energy, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and improving efficiency. Our goal is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and we've already implemented several key initiatives to drive this forward.

Starting in January 2025, new vehicles across numerous categories can only be ordered in electric versions, accelerating the transition of our Ground Support Equipment (GSE) fleet from diesel and gasoline to electric units. This includes vehicles for baggage transport, passenger boarding, waste disposal, and more. And we have already made some progress. For our ground operations at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), we have already deployed five electric buses, with seven additional buses on order. And at Frankfurt Airport, for which Swissport recently secured a license to provide ground services starting February 2025, we plan to invest approximately 25 million Euros in electric vehicles.

We are also looking at our warehouses and offices. In Spain, for example, our cargo facilities in Barcelona and Madrid now operate entirely on renewable energy, cutting CO2 emissions by 305 tons annually. Meanwhile, in the UK, an additional five cargo sites have transitioned to green energy, and looking ahead, we're extending these efforts to other countries, including Germany, and the USA. This transition is key to our decarbonization strategy, and our aim of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

How does Swissport’s alignment with the SDGs benefit our customers, airport partners, and employees?

For our airline customers, our commitment to SDG 13: Climate Action directly supports their sustainability goals by reducing supply chain emissions. By investing in electric Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and green energy, we help airlines lower their carbon and meet growing regulatory and consumer demands for eco-friendly travel.

For our airport partners, aligning with the SDGs enhances the overall sustainability and reputation of the airports we serve. Our push for electric fleets and collaboration on infrastructure improvements, such as charging stations and energy-efficient systems, helps airports meet their environmental objectives.

For our employees, our alignment with SDGs creates a safer, more inclusive, and rewarding workplace. Our focus on health, safety, and diversity initiatives fosters a positive company culture and contributes to long-term employee well-being, making Swissport a more attractive employer.

Looking ahead, what are the next steps for Swissport in its journey to support the SDGs?

Looking ahead, Swissport’s next steps in supporting the SDGs involve turning our clear targets into measurable outcomes. We've already set ambitious goals, such as achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and transitioning to electric Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Or to increase the proportion of women leaders to 40 percent by 2027. Now, we’re focused on implementing these strategies at scale.

For our People, Swissport has launched a comprehensive Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) program in 2024, fully supported by our Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors. As part of the program, we’ve introduced Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for women, LGBTQ+, and disabled colleagues. These ERGs provide a platform for personal and career development, amplify diverse voices, and raise awareness of different perspectives within the company. Each group is run by volunteer staff across regions and levels, with the active support of an Executive Leadership Team sponsor, ensuring that Swissport remains committed to diversity and inclusion at every level of the organization.

Key next steps in our Planet pillar include continuing the electrification of our fleet, ensuring that by 2025 new vehicle purchases are electric, and expanding our use of green electricity across more facilities. We will also intensify our collaboration with airport partners to develop the necessary charging infrastructure and push for industry-wide standards.

Regarding our Policy pillar, we are dedicated to ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations across Swissport. We are committed to extending corruption risk assessments to more stations globally. Additionally, we are integrating fraud risk into our enterprise risk management. On the supplier side, we are rolling out an ESG questionnaire to assess the maturity of our suppliers and conducting in-depth, on-site audits of our largest suppliers to evaluate their ESG practices.

Achieving these goals will not only reduce our impact on people and the planet but will also help create a more sustainable and resilient business, positioning Swissport to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.