London Heathrow has become the first airport globally to simultaneously hold four Carbon Trust Standard certifications in recognition of its efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, water usage and waste output. The airport has also been recognized for working with its suppliers to engage them in doing the same.
The Carbon Trust is a world-recognized independent body working toward encouraging and rewarding real progress in environmental performance. These certifications cover the airport’s ongoing work to reduce its impact across two years to the end of 2015.
London Heathrow is now the first in its sector, and the fifth organization in the world, to receive the Standard for Supply Chain. Heathrow’s top 20 suppliers account for 76% of the total supply chain carbon emissions. In order to influence these and other suppliers, the airport established forums such as the Heathrow Sustainability Partnership to deliver practical solutions including the airport’s Energy Code of Practice.
The recognized projects included switching 70,000 lights across the airport to LED lamps, contributing to a 5% reduction in carbon emissions; becoming the first airport to sign the Paris Pledge for Action following the Paris Agreement on climate change at COP21 in 2015; retiring Terminal 1 along with its out-of-date toilet and pipe systems, which contributed to a 3.9% reduction in overall water use per passenger; and finally composting 1,800 tons of food waste, which contributed to an overall 3.1% reduction in waste per passenger.
John Holland-Kaye, chief executive, London Heathrow, said, “Achieving the Carbon Trust’s tough standards recognizes the hard work that Heathrow’s team is putting into being environmentally responsible, and being a better business and a better neighbor. We are very proud to be one of the only companies in the world- and the first airport- to attain four Carbon Trust Standards simultaneously. This confirms Heathrow’s position as a global leader in sustainability.”
Darran Messem, managing director – Certification at the Carbon Trust, said, “Heathrow’s complexity means the company combines the challenges of several industries, including transportation, retail, property and logistics. The Carbon Trust Standard is an independent benchmark for ongoing environmental management and improvement. To achieve four simultaneous certifications is an impressive accomplishment. Everyone working at the airport who has contributed to achieving these certifications deserves to be congratulated.”
