Airports are more than transport hubs; they are major local employers, energy users, and land managers whose operations intersect with climate, public health, and equity concerns. As investors, communities, regulators, and travellers pay greater attention to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, airports face both opportunities and questions about how to report sustainability credibly.

A study published in MDPI Sustainability "Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Reporting for Large US Airports" examined ESG reporting across the 30 large-hub U.S. airports, contrasted reporting frameworks, and offered detailed case studies of Salt Lake City (SLC) and Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW). Its central conclusion: reporting is growing, but practices remain uneven and largely voluntary — which limits comparability, accountability, and potential regulatory clarity.

Source: Encyclopedia Video abstract (https://encyclopedia.pub/video/1737).

1. ESG Reporting Practices and Current Gaps

The study confirms that all 30 large-hub airports in the United States publish some form of sustainability-related information. This may take the form of sustainability reports, topic-specific documents, or web-based summaries. However, only eight of these airports produce a formal report explicitly labelled as ESG. This demonstrates that while sustainability communication is widespread, ESG-specific reporting remains limited.

The analysis shows substantial variation in the reporting frameworks adopted by airports. Some airports reference guidance from organizations such as Airports Council International (ACI) or the World Economic Forum (WEF), whereas others rely on general sustainability standards or develop customized reporting structures. Because these approaches differ in scope and terminology, the resulting disclosures are not easily comparable, and many recommended elements appear only partially addressed across the sample.

Through two case studies — Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — the paper illustrates what more structured ESG reporting can look like. Both airports reference the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make efforts to align environmental, social, and governance disclosures with these global frameworks. Their reports include data on energy and resource use, greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1 and 2, with partial Scope 3), waste and water management, workforce composition, and governance practices.

Even so, the study notes that reporting gaps persist. Not all of the recommended disclosure elements are consistently covered, historical data are sometimes missing, and several disclosures remain primarily qualitative. Additionally, because airports vary widely in size, governance structure, and operational context, the authors caution that standardization must remain flexible, even while comparability remains a core challenge.

2. Why ESG Reporting Matters

The authors identify several advantages associated with stronger ESG reporting at airports:

• Transparency and accountability: Clear disclosures allow stakeholders to better understand environmental and social performance.

• Risk management and regulatory preparedness: Monitoring emissions, resource use, and community impacts strengthens long-term planning.

• Operational and financial benefits: Reporting can help identify inefficiencies and support more sustainable operations.

• Community and social engagement: Social-governance indicators help airports demonstrate broader community value.

• Stakeholder and investor confidence: As ESG reporting becomes more relevant in infrastructure planning and finance, consistent disclosure strengthens credibility.

These points reflect the conceptual benefits highlighted by the authors. The paper does not measure quantitative impacts but presents these as recognized motivations for ESG adoption in the aviation sector.

3. Recommendations for Improving ESG Reporting

The study offers several guidance points for airports seeking to strengthen ESG transparency:

• Adopt an appropriate reporting framework.
  Airports are encouraged to draw on sector-relevant frameworks such as ACI or WEF guidance to avoid fragmented or incomplete disclosures.

• Report core ESG elements consistently.
  The authors reference the ACI-NA list of 20 recommended disclosure items across environmental, social, and governance categories.

• Provide quantitative data and historical trends.
  Multi-year data series, where available, allow more meaningful evaluation of progress.

• Align ESG metrics with the UN SDGs where relevant.
  This helps contextualize sustainability actions in relation to broader global goals.

• Balance standardization with local context.
  Because airports differ substantially, a flexible but transparent approach is necessary to maintain both relevance and comparability.

These recommendations reflect the paper's emphasis on clarity, structure, and consistency, rather than rigid compliance.

4. Conclusion: ESG Reporting as a Foundation for Sustainable Aviation

The study provides a clear picture of ESG reporting across large U.S. airports: sustainability communication is now standard practice, but ESG-specific reporting remains uneven and often lacks methodological consistency. The case studies of SLC and DFW show that more comprehensive and SDG-aligned reporting is achievable, though still incomplete.

The authors argue that improving ESG reporting will support better transparency, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. For airports, the challenge ahead is twofold: adopting coherent frameworks and committing to consistent disclosure while preserving the flexibility required by diverse operational contexts.

In the broader landscape of sustainable aviation, the paper suggests that ESG reporting is not merely an administrative exercise but a foundational step toward clearer accountability and more informed decision-making. It signals a sector in transition — moving toward more structured reporting, yet still working to build the comparability and completeness needed for meaningful evaluation.

For more information about topic, you can view the online video entitled "ESG Reporting for Large US Airports".