Leeds Bradford Airport Hits Flawless 100% Sustainability Score For The First Time In Global Assessment

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has achieved a perfect 100% score for the first time in its latest Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) assessment, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming one of the UK’s most sustainable regional airports.

GRESB is an independent, international sustainability framework that assesses the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance of real estate and infrastructure assets around the world. LBA has been participating in the programme in the past five years as part of the airport’s Net Zero Carbon Roadmap and has steadily improved its performance year on year in this time, with the last score in 2024 being  97%.  

The 100% score places Leeds Bradford Airport among the highest performing airports globally in GRESB’s assessment, which has also gained the airport Sector Leader status, reflecting the airport’s commitment to sustainability, carbon reduction and stakeholder engagement.

Joselyn Rankin, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have achieved a 100% GRESB score. This result is the outcome of years of hard work, commitment and collaboration across every part of the airport infrastructure.

“From energy use and sustainable travel to biodiversity, inclusivity and local engagement, we’ve worked to embed sustainability into every decision we make. The work doesn’t stop here, we view GRESB as a valuable accountability tool that helps us track our impact and continuously improve, especially as we edge a step closer on our way to becoming Net Zero by 2030.”

This achievement follows a series of sustainability milestones for the airport, including its Level 3 accreditation from the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme and a 74% reduction in CO2 emissions between 2018 and 2024. 

The news comes as LBA recently announced it is at the heart of a £1.5 million Government-backed study into producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with the final report due in 2026. If successful, it could lead to major investment and job creation in the region, as well as paving the way for cleaner, greener flights from Yorkshire.

Sebastien Roussotte, CEO, GRESB, said: ““This year’s GRESB Benchmarks reflect the resilience and success of our members, who continue to demonstrate that data-driven performance drives value creation, resilience, and risk management.” 

“GRESB participants are showing that responsible investing is more than a mandate—it’s a measurable, data-driven pathway to long-term value and trust.” 

“Our members are navigating today’s market with focus and determination. Their continued progress reflects the principles of responsible investing—grounded in high-quality data, operational excellence, and performance-led strategies.” 

“Each year, the GRESB Benchmark reflects how responsible investing—anchored in sustainability and backed by data—can deliver meaningful outcomes for investors, markets, and communities.” 

“Amid market uncertainty and shifting global priorities, GRESB participants continue to lead with action—demonstrating that responsible investing is not just resilient, but essential.” 

As LBA looks ahead to its regeneration programme and continues to reduce emissions across its operations and partner ecosystem, this top rating underscores its goal of reaching net zero carbon by 2030.

More information about LBA’s 2030 Net Zero Carbon Roadmap and its latest developments is available at leedsbradfordairport.co.uk.