NATS environmental performance highly rated by CDP

NATS has been awarded an A- score for environmental performance by the renowned non-profit organisation, CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project). This score puts NATS in the top 2% of the 13,000 companies around the world who disclosed their data to CDP in 2021.

The CDP A List is for companies who receive ‘leadership level’ CDP scores of A or A- and NATS’ rating demonstrates the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and implementing best practice in the areas of environmental, social and governance (ESG).

Among other criteria, to score an A or -A, companies must have robust governance and oversight of climate issues, rigorous risk management processes, verified greenhouse gas emissions reporting and be reducing emissions across their value chain. They must also have established emission reduction targets and evidence of targets which cover their scope 3 emissions.

Just some of the improvements made by NATS over the past year to gain the A- rating include:

• Publicly committing to an ambitious science-based emissions reduction target of net zero by 2035
• A 41% reduction in emissions from the base year (FY 2018/19)
• Demonstration of robust governance and accountability for managing environmental performance and climate risk management through Board oversight and establishment of decarbonisation steering group
• Engagement with suppliers and airline customers about climate-related activity
• Improvement in the breadth of emissions data that has been externally verified and published (including home working, cloud computing and commuting)
• Clear and quantified identification of risk and opportunities associated with changes to the climate

Ian Jopson, Head of Sustainable Operations, NATS, said: “We were the first air traffic service provider in the world to introduce an environment programme in 2008 and we have made good progress since then, which this accreditation from CDP acknowledges; but there is no doubt that much more needs to be done as we work towards our commitment as part of the Sustainable Aviation coalition to reach net zero emissions as a UK industry by 2050.”

Dexter Galvin, Global Director of Corporations & Supply Chains at CDP, said: “COP26 highlighted the necessary role corporates play in driving the real economy changes to tackle the climate and ecological emergency, and keep us within 1.5°C. It is fantastic that more businesses are disclosing their impact every year and recognising the interconnectedness of environmental issues.”

CDP reporting requires collecting data and using it to fill out extensive questionnaires and data requests. The CDP framework is primarily about disclosure, transparency, and accountability. It enables corporations and governments to disclose information in a structured way and enables investors and other interested parties to compare the performance of respondents.