Gatwick Airport has published its 2018 report on its ‘Decade of Change’, showing that the airport has reduced its environmental footprint and developed a strong program of support for the local economy and local communities.
A report on the airport’s progress towards the 2010-2020 decade’s 10 goals is published annually. This year’s results include:
• Recycling and reuse increasing to 64%, with all empty coffee cups and plastics recycled and zero commercial and operational waste sent to landfill
• Carbon emissions from ground energy are now 50% less than in 1990. Aircraft emissions remained at 2017 levels and surface access emissions fell slightly;
• Gatwick’s contribution to the local economy saw 57% of Gatwick staff employed from the local area and £128m (US$162m) spent with local and regional suppliers;
• Gatwick’s contribution to the local community included £192,248 (US$244,411) raised for charity partners, 52 community events sponsored and 162 other local causes funded;
• Securing the Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Benchmark certificate;
• Achieving 44% of passengers arriving at the airport by public transport;
• Reducing the airport’s noise footprint by 7% in 2018, compared with the previous year;
• Reducing the airport’s water consumption by 5%, compared with the previous year.
In addition, Gatwick continues to operate well within annual air quality limits for NO2, PM10 and PM25.
The Decade of Change program drives the airport’s sustainability targets and has seen Gatwick decouple growth from environmental impact by reducing the airport’s environmental footprint, while passenger numbers have grown over 45% to over 46 million since 2009.
Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick Airport, said, “Our Decade of Change program combines responsible environmental management with strong community programs and has allowed us to grow while reducing our environmental footprint. We recognize that there is more to do, and we will continue to strive in the years ahead on our journey to become the UK’s most sustainable airport.
“Achieving the aims of our Decade of Change program involves real teamwork and thousands of airport staff have contributed to its success. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played a part and I look forward to working together to achieve next year’s goals.”
