London Heathrow Airport has just launched «Heathrow 2.0: «Connecting people and planet». This is a sustainability strategy for the next decade to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and pollution around its facilities.
The airport’s management is committed, from this initiative, to reduce up to 15% of the carbon emitted by the flights operating there and to reduce at least 45% of the emissions produced on the ground by 2030.
«The work program builds on Heathrow’s previous sustainability strategy launched five years ago. This time it offers a simplified framework divided into two pillars of leadership work. It aims for net-zero aviation and ensures Heathrow is a great place to live and work. The targets set out in Heathrow 2.0 are the result of consultation with local and national stakeholders. Achieving these targets will enable the airport to remain a sustainable employer for future generations. And at the same time will protect the benefits of aviation in a carbon-neutral world,» says a statement issued by Heathrow Airport Limited.
According to the statement, by 2022, Heathrow 2.0 commits the airport to:
- In a UK airport first, introduce a Sustainable Aviation Fuel based incentives program for airlines, encouraging our partners to invest in SAF, reduce their carbon footprint and help to hit our carbon reduction targets
- Develop a Nature Positive Airport Plan to continue to strengthen and showcase biodiversity management at the airport
- Launch a new Giving Back Programme detailing Heathrow’s community investment strategy and volunteering programs that will benefit at least 1 million residents
Over this decade, Heathrow 2.0 commits the airport to:
- Set industry-leading carbon targets, committing to cut ‘in the air carbon’ by up to 15% compared with 2019 levels and reducing ‘on the ground carbon’ emissions by at least 45% compared with 2019 levels
- Maximize the materials used at the airport that are repurposed, moving Heathrow towards becoming Zero Waste
- Introduce an airside ultra-low emission zone by 2025.
- Generate at least £6.5m in funds for the independent Heathrow Community Trust charity
- Reduce areas affected by noise, introduce new alternation patterns, and increase nights without aircraft relative to 2019
- Provide 10,000 external jobs, apprenticeships, and early career opportunities for local people
- Provide 15,000 experiences of the workplace
- Ensure diversity levels within all rungs of the leadership ladder reflect the diversity levels of our local community
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow’s Chief Executive, said, «The launch of our refreshed Heathrow 2.0 strategy is a landmark moment in our sustainability journey, accelerating the shift in our industry towards a greener future. Decisive action must be taken in this decade to stay the race to net zero, and this initiative sets out the roadmap to get us there. Not only will we reduce carbon emissions, but our ambitious strategy will maintain Heathrow’s leadership in innovation, social mobility, and community engagement.»
For full details of Heathrow 2.0, click here.
