Heathrow confirms
it will seek to become one of the first major airports to have a carbon neutral
infrastructure. The London airport hopes to have reached it’s target of zero
carbon emissions by the mid 2030’s. This news follows the recent investment of
over £100 million to improve energy efficiency and generate renewable energy.
At this
present moment, Heathrow has reduced carbon emissions from it’s airport
buildings and infrastructure by 93% since 1990. Heating is one of the elements that
makes up the remaining 7% of airport infrastructure emissions. However, this
remaining 7% will be offset through tree planting projects in Indonesia and
Mexico. The offsetting projects are certified through the Verified Carbon
Standard.
Heathrow
are also placing focus on gaining momentum on existing targets for 2020. These
include sustainable transport links and meeting targets to transition all
Heathrow vans and cars to electric and plug-in hybrid.
Understandably,
the above-mentioned figures do not include the greater impact from the aircraft
which use the airport each day. To battle the wider problem, London Heathrow
will need airlines to also make greater commitments to lower carbon emissions. The
plans at Heathrow follow the recent statement from the UK aviation industry to
achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Our sights are now set on working with the global aviation industry to deliver on net-zero by 2050, at the latest. We can and will cut the environmental cost of flying while keeping the benefits of travel for future generations.”
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow chief executive.
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