Created with support from PwC’s Sustainability team, the strategy aims to coordinate, build upon, and accelerate WFS’s sustainability projects across its network of stations at 168 major airports in 17 countries.
Across its network, WFS has already invested in various initiatives to cut its carbon footprint, ranging from building sustainability solutions into new-build cargo terminals to implementing LED lighting in over 30 warehouse operations, rolling out electric ramp and warehouse vehicles, and using biodegradable plastics to wrap airfreight pallets.
The environmental journey also incorporates collecting annual data on energy, waste and water consumption, seeking greener energy suppliers, reusing equipment, extending the lifecycles of equipment, and carbon footprint tracking.
Solar panels have been fitted at some WFS locations and trials of further electronic ground support equipment and hydrogen-powered vehicles are ongoing.
Craig Smyth, CEO of WFS said that despite the challenges of the last two years, WFS remains focused on sustainability, and despite significant achievements already, more needs to be done.
He said, “We must continue to take collective and individual action as a company and as employees to maintain our leadership position in safety, security, ethics and compliance whilst reducing our carbon footprint, supporting local communities, and developing our people. ‘Our Sustainable Flight Path’ provides us with a social and governance strategy which looks after our people, our customers, and our planet, and is true to our WFS core values.”
The ESG strategy is steered by a committee of senior managers whose responsibilities incorporate people, health, safety, security, operations, procurement, legal, commercial and communications functions.
Key actions, targets, and milestones by 2030 include 75% electric ground support equipment, full adoption of biodegradable plastics, and signing the UN Global Compact, a pact encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies.
