Building a TNFD-aligned nature risk approach at MAG
In 2026, Simply Sustainable partnered with Manchester Airports Group (MAG) to develop its first TNFD-aligned assessment of nature-related risks and opportunities across its UK airport operations. As a major infrastructure operator, MAG’s activities are closely connected to the natural environment, from land use and water systems to the ecosystems surrounding its sites. This work supported delivery of MAG’s Sustainability Strategy, where ‘Protecting Nature’ is a core pillar, and contributed to a more consistent and joined-up approach to managing climate and nature-related risks across the business.
As one of the early UK airport groups to explore nature-related risks and opportunities through the TNFD framework, MAG sought to go beyond emerging expectations and build a structured, best practice approach to understanding its interactions with nature ahead of expected regulations. The project was aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) LEAP framework and designed to integrate closely with MAG’s existing climate risk and governance processes. The aim was not only to support future TNFD-aligned disclosures, but to strengthen internal understanding of nature-related impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities, and how these could affect operations, resilience and long-term strategy.
Impacts and benefits
- Clearer visibility of nature-related risks and opportunities: Identified and prioritised nature-related impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities across MAG’s airport operations, providing a structured view of where nature is most material.
- Stronger integration with strategy and risk management: Developed a TNFD-aligned approach that integrates with existing climate risk and governance processes, while clarifying priority areas and responsibilities across sites and functions to support more effective management of nature-related risks.
- Improved foundation for metrics and monitoring: Mapped existing metrics and targets to TNFD guidance, providing a framework for ongoing monitoring of nature-related risks and performance.
- Enhanced disclosure readiness: Delivered a TNFD-aligned narrative for inclusion in the annual report, strengthening MAG’s ability to communicate nature-related issues and progress in line with emerging expectations.
- Foundation for future development: Established a structured basis for expanding the assessment to the value chain and further developing scenario analysis and financial understanding over time.
This work has been an important step in strengthening our TNFD alignment and how we understand and manage our relationship with nature. The structured approach moved us beyond high-level commitments, giving us a clearer and more practical view of our impacts, dependencies and risks across our airport operations. With support from Simply Sustainable, we have strengthened our reporting and established a strong foundation for the continued development of our TNFD approach.”Adam Freeman Decarbonisation & ESG Director, Manchester Airports Group
The story
At the start of 2026, Simply Sustainable worked with Manchester Airports Group to deliver a TNFD-aligned assessment across its UK airport operations, focusing on Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted airports and their surrounding environments. The project followed the TNFD LEAP framework, providing a clear method to understand how MAG interacts with nature and how this translates into business risk and opportunity.
Locate
MAG developed a clearer understanding of how its airport operations interact with the natural environment across its sites. This provided greater visibility of the habitats, ecosystems and natural assets connected to its operations and established a stronger evidence base for future decision-making.
Evaluate
Working closely with MAG’s biodiversity, finance and sustainability teams, the assessment helped identify and better understand the organisation’s most significant nature-related impacts and dependencies. It also strengthened internal awareness of how nature-related issues interact with climate-related risks and broader environmental priorities, creating a more joined-up view across sustainability activities.
Assess
The project enabled MAG to prioritise the nature-related risks and opportunities most relevant to its operations and long-term resilience. Bringing together biodiversity expertise with risk management and sustainability perspectives helped create a shared understanding of where nature-related issues could affect the business and where action may be required. This provided greater clarity on priority areas for management attention and helped strengthen ownership of nature-related considerations across different functions, supporting a more informed and proactive approach to decision-making.
Prepare
The assessment supported MAG’s TNFD alignment and reporting ambitions, providing a robust foundation for future disclosures and ongoing management of nature-related risks and opportunities. It also helped connect existing biodiversity initiatives with wider governance, risk and reporting processes, creating a platform for further development over time.
Looking ahead
Building on this foundation, MAG is well positioned to deepen its understanding of nature-related impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities across its wider value chain. This will help further embed nature-related considerations into decision-making and support the organisation’s long-term resilience.
Want to know more?
To learn how Simply Sustainable can support your approach to nature-related risk and TNFD-aligned reporting, request a call-back from one of our expert advisors.
MAG has also published its latest reporting, which includes the TNFD support we provided. You can read more in the reports below:
Impacts and dependencies
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