Climate change and energy
Did you know?
Over the next five years we will be investing £4.8 billion in the refurbishment and renewal of Heathrow’s facilities.
Climate change and energy
Energy target for 2007
| Issue | Target | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Reduce Heathrow’s direct impact on CO2 by 2% against the business as usual forecast between January 2007 and December 2007 through improvements in energy efficiency. | Target bettered |
The site carbon dioxide emissions in 2007 were 270,245 tonnes. This equals a saving of 35,505 tonnes, a 13.1% reduction compared to the ‘business as usual’ forecast, and beating our 2% target.
We are pleased to have achieved this reduction, which in part reflects our energy efficiency work. However, 2007 was an unusual year operationally, with Terminal 5 undergoing commissioning trials and the weather being untypically cool in summer and mild in winter. We are therefore cautious in interpreting our performance based on this year’s data alone.
This year we have also had accreditation renewed under the Carbon Trust’s Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme. This is the leading energy award scheme in the UK, endorsing our approach and recognising our achievements. This award is thanks to our activity across the airport from our management commitment to the day-to-day work of our facilities teams and our airline and service partners.
| CO2 emissions (tonnes) | |
|---|---|
| Forecast (business as usual) | 305,750 |
| Actual | 270,245 |
Energy savings campaign
We launched a new energy savings campaign on 5 June 2007, World Environment Day, challenging the airport to 'Switch it off to switch on our future'. The 'Lunch for our Future' launch event was attended by senior influencers across the airport, with subsequent roadshows in our terminals targeted at frontline staff.
Particular positive action for the ‘Switch it off’ campaign has been shown by our facilities teams. Examples include supporting Capital Radio’s 'Lights out London' campaign on the 21 June; reviewing the operating times of our air-conditioning systems; and switching off our baggage systems earlier at night, without impacting on our service to our customers.
Towards the end of the year, ‘Switch it off’ was followed up by 'Turn it down to turn on our future'. Demonstration projects are in place across the airport, including projects bringing existing energy saving controls back to life, new lighting technology trials and housekeeping audits. This work is on-going into 2008 and is being co-financed by the Carbon Trust.