In 2018, the world received the most urgent climate change news yet. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change analysed what will happen if we have 1.5C of warming. The report contained shocking revelations, with a resulting 12 years warning to avoid catastrophe.
Airports are already preparing for the increase in extreme weather conditions such as snow, storms and hurricanes. Not only this, but depending on their locations, airports across the world which sit just above sea level will have to contend with rising sea levels and storm surges. Extreme heat negatively affects aircraft performance and requires longer distances for the planes to take off (resulting increase runway length that continues the concatenation of events).
These shock revelations has lead to the hope that 2019 might be a breakthrough year with the public being mobilised by civil society campaigns and businesses and politicians now making climate change a priority.
Airports have always been a focus for environmental campaigners due to their negative environmental impact – from air pollution to runway extensions threatening local habitat and ecosystems. However, this recent call to action from The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has brought this into sharper focus.
Airports are taking further action – reducing noise and visual pollution, protecting local wildlife and reducing water, electric and land use.
Key areas where airports are reducing their environmental impact
Transport
Airports like Stansted have been actively encouraging passengers and staff to use public transport links to and from the airport. The impact of this has been seen in a recent study by Staysure. The study analysed UK airport parking sites and Google search data and it found that airport parking is now only used by a small number of flyers. In fact, only 0.83% of flyers at Heathrow look for parking – 647,000 out of 78 million. Contrarily, Bristol airport was the most popular proportionately – 10% (582,691) of 5,826,916 flyers a year and in addition is looking to expand the airport much to horror of climate change activists.
Waste
Airports create a huge amount of waste from retail and food outlets to flight catering, aircraft maintenance and cargo handling. Airports are now aiming to recycle more waste and divert waste from landfill. London City Airport was the first airport to replace plastic straws with paper straws.
Airports have also been introducing water fountains so that travellers won’t need to buy plastic water bottles and UK ministers are cracking down on the use of plastic cutlery on flights.
Energy
Airports now see improving energy management and reducing carbon emissions by investing in low carbon and energy efficient technologies.
Gatwick airport, for example, has a 10-point sustainability plan which aims to reducing energy by 20% by 2020.
Air Quality
Aircraft and airport vehicles emit nitrogen dioxide and fine particles which impact the environment. Airports can invest in lower emission vehicles and use fixed electrical power (FEGP) and Preconditioned Air. They can also manage their workflow so that journeys around the airport are kept at a minimum.