George Paschalis presents Hermes Airports’ positive approach to sustainability

From building photovoltaic parks to producing lemonade and using the proceeds to invest back in the land, Hermes Airports has embraced sustainability.

Speaking to INBusinessTV recently, George Paschalis, Chief Financial Officer, Hermes Airports, outlined some of the company's ESG actions carried out over the past years.

Noting that over 95 projects had been undertaken since 2010, Paschalis noted that, among other things, these had resulted in the airports at Larnaca and Paphos being awarded 3+ Airport Carbon Accreditation.

Efforts include but are not limited to the construction of two photovoltaic parks that currently cover 28% of the airports’ energy needs, with plans for their further expansion.

Replacing lighting with LED alternatives, reducing plastic and embracing recycling has seen a 33% reduction in energy consumption compared to a decade ago.

Paschalis also mentioned an initiative with KEAN that sees Hermes Airports make home-made style lemonade from the lemons on its property, and using the proceeds to invest in the land.

Donations, meanwhile have included 1,000 saplings and a drone while Hermes Airports also regularly supports organisations benefiting children and schools. The airports also welcome young visitors and have set aside specific areas for activities such as musical therapy or art exhibitions.

Among other things, Paschalis also noted that Hermes Airports was an equal rights employer.

See his full interview, in Greek, below, followed by a written transcript in English:

"At Hermes Airports for more than a decade we have been implementing actions that touch all the pillars of sustainability, i.e. the environment, society and corporate governance.

Already, since 2010, more than 95 projects have been carried out to reduce energy consumption, while the airports of Larnaca and Paphos have for years now been awarded the Airport Carbon Accreditation at level 3+, thus certifying the adoption of measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

At the same time, a few months ago we inaugurated two photovoltaic parks at our airports that cover approximately 28% of our annual energy needs, while we have plans to expand them in the near future.

Within ten years we have achieved a 33% reduction in energy consumption, replacing more than 12,000 lights with energy-efficient LEDs, completely eliminating single-use plastics in our offices, and recycling more than 500 tons of various materials each year.

In 2022 we started the ‘Prasini Lemonada’ (Green Lemonade) project, where we collect lemons from our airport's lemon groves, in collaboration with KEAN we make homemade lemonades and with the proceeds from the sales, we give back to the earth. A tangible example of the circular economy in action! Last year we donated 1000 saplings to the public to plant in their homes, while we donated an educational drone to the Forestry Department.

At Hermes Airports, we have been supporting organisations, schools and institutions related to children throughout the years, while we often host exhibitions that promote Cypriot culture at the airports.

Since 2010, we have supported more than 180 actions and foundations. Indicatively, I should mention that we have created a room for music therapy activities for the Association of People with Autism, while we have hosted the awareness exhibition for rare childhood diseases by Monadika Hamogela.

In terms of corporate governance, we provide equal employment and advancement opportunities with our talent management system, while there is equal participation of women and men in the organisation. In addition, we created the Evexia program - which includes various initiatives such as employee appreciation week, free blood tests, the Employee Contribution Recognition program and more.

As administrators of the Cypriot airports, we see sustainability issues as a course that, beyond the various initiatives we implement, requires a collective shift in thinking and culture. Towards staff, partners, customers and society at large. That is why we are constantly looking for new partnerships on our journey!"

(Also visit https://www.hermes-flightmode.com/ for more on Hermes Airports' news and activities)