Climate change
- Stansted growth falls within national strategy to reduce overall CO2 emissions
- By 2030 Stansted’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy use will not exceed those in 2006
- Threefold reduction in CO2 per passenger at Stansted by 2030 when compared to 2006. Achieved by ground breaking renewable energy technologies
On the face of it, there is a contradiction between championing the cause of a new runway at Stansted and the national priority to reduce carbon emissions. Aircraft and airports contribute to CO2 emissions, so the challenge we face is how best to balance the social and economic benefits of air travel with the need to protect our precious environment.
The independent and highly respected Stern Review of 2006 addressed this issue, and supported the introduction of an emissions trading scheme. This follows the principle of ‘polluter pays’ by allowing those industries with higher emissions to trade carbon credits with those who are more able to take action
to reduce their carbon footprint.
This means that the UK can still reduce its overall emissions, even while aviation grows. This provides the context for sustainable growth at Stansted.
But BAA is not content to leave it there. We are taking a leading role, and setting an example, by establishing a target to reduce CO2 emissions from energy use across allour airports by 30% by 2020. At Stansted we are going further and will ensure that by 2030 CO2 energy emissions do not exceed those at the airport in 2006. To put this in perspective this is equivalent to a threefold reduction when viewed as CO2 per passenger.
Our commitment to delivering sustainable growth is central to our application for a second runway at Stansted and we are already tackling the issue by:
- • Ensuring energy efficiency is built into the design of new facilities;
- Investing in energy efficient technology;
- Educating staff to reduce their energy consumption; and
- Sourcing more renewable energy.
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