What are effective ways to improve your airport's social responsibility programs?

1 Assess your current performance

The first step to improve your airport's social responsibility programs is to assess your current performance and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can use various tools and frameworks to measure and benchmark your airport's social, environmental, and economic impacts, such as the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, or the Airport Council International (ACI) Airport Excellence (APEX) program. These tools can help you set realistic and measurable goals, track your progress, and communicate your results to your stakeholders.

2 Engage your stakeholders

The second step to improve your airport's social responsibility programs is to engage your stakeholders and understand their needs and expectations. Your stakeholders include your passengers, employees, airlines, regulators, suppliers, local communities, and NGOs. You can use various methods to consult and collaborate with them, such as surveys, focus groups, workshops, forums, or advisory committees. By engaging your stakeholders, you can build trust and transparency, identify opportunities and risks, and align your social responsibility programs with your strategic objectives.

3 Innovate and collaborate

The third step to improve your airport's social responsibility programs is to innovate and collaborate with other partners and organizations. You can leverage new technologies, processes, and practices to enhance your airport's efficiency, safety, and sustainability, such as renewable energy, biometrics, or circular economy. You can also join or create networks and platforms to share best practices, learn from others, and co-create solutions, such as the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG), the Airport Sustainability Declaration (ASD), or the Airport Innovation Network (AIN).

4 Educate and inspire

The fourth step to improve your airport's social responsibility programs is to educate and inspire your staff and customers. You can provide training and awareness programs to your employees to foster a culture of social responsibility and empower them to take action. You can also communicate and promote your social responsibility programs to your passengers and visitors, using various channels and media, such as signage, displays, or social media. By educating and inspiring your staff and customers, you can increase their engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction.

5 Support and contribute

The fifth step to improve your airport's social responsibility programs is to support and contribute to the causes and issues that matter to your airport and your stakeholders. You can provide financial or in-kind support to local or global organizations and initiatives that align with your values and goals, such as charities, foundations, or campaigns. You can also encourage and facilitate the participation and volunteering of your staff and customers in these activities, such as fundraising, donations, or events. By supporting and contributing to the causes and issues that matter to you, you can demonstrate your commitment and leadership, and create positive impacts.

6 Review and improve

The sixth and final step to improve your airport's social responsibility programs is to review and improve your performance and practices on a regular basis. You can use various tools and methods to monitor and evaluate your social responsibility programs, such as audits, reports, or feedback. You can also seek external recognition and certification from reputable organizations and bodies, such as awards, ratings, or labels. By reviewing and improving your performance and practices, you can ensure continuous improvement, accountability, and transparency, and adapt to changing needs and expectations.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?