Ireland’s First Airport Conservation Grazing Project Gets Award Nod

The Shannon Airport Group has been shortlisted for three major national sustainability awards, recognising its pioneering projects in biodiversity and environmental management.

The nominations include the Chambers Ireland 2025 Outstanding Achievement in Sustainable Business Impact Award, the Chambers Ireland Environment & Biodiversity Award, and the Biodiversity Project of the Year at Ireland’s Climate Change Leadership Awards (ICCLA).

Central to these nominations is the Group’s Thady’s Hill Biodiversity Enhancement and Conservation Grazing Project, launched ahead of National Biodiversity Week 2025. The initiative, part of Shannon Airport’s five-year Biodiversity Action Plan, is Ireland’s first conservation grazing project on airport-owned land. By using carefully managed livestock grazing to restore habitats, the project promotes biodiversity, improves soil health, and supports sustainable land management practices.

Sinéad Murphy, Head of Sustainability at Shannon Airport, said: “Thady’s Hill demonstrates what can be achieved through innovation and collaboration. The project has transformed a previously underused area into a thriving habitat for native species, and it’s inspiring to see it recognised at both Chambers Ireland and ICCLA.”

The airport’s sustainability efforts extend beyond Thady’s Hill. The Group has introduced a carbon reduction strategy aligned with national climate targets, invested in renewable energy infrastructure, and incorporated circular economy principles across its operations. Community engagement, education initiatives, and inclusive employment practices further reinforce the airport’s environmental and social impact.

Winners of the Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Awards will be announced on 24 September at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin, while ICCLA award winners will be revealed on 3 October at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.