Operating and developing airports can have a number of impacts on biodiversity. As a responsible land owner, we need to consider the direct impact on local wildlife through our operational land management practices or when we develop land. Preserving natural habitats and wildlife, is important to the quality of life and property value for our local communities, and to a wide range of local stakeholders.

Our biodiversity programme at Heathrow has to be managed effectively to ensure we do not attract birds to the airfield to reduce the risk of bird-strikes (when a bird hits an aircraft). Steps taken include controlling wild flowers, reducing soil-dwelling insects and managing grass length.

We seek to operate and grow our business in accordance with the good-practice principles for business and biodiversity published by the UK Roundtable for Sustainable Development in 1997.

We aim to use all land as efficiently as possible and to act responsibly where local ecological resources may be affected by our operations or development programme. 

Around 63 hectares of land that is owned, managed or leased by BAA around Heathrow is set aside to conserve or enhance biodiversity. This involves developing site management plans, practices and projects in support of biodiversity objectives.

Our performance
Our plans