Heathrow and climate change

The issue: Scientists agree that human activity is having a measurable effect on the earth’s climate, with significant impacts on global temperatures and weather patterns. The main cause is the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with burning of fossil fuels.

Aircraft emissions represent a small but growing contribution to climate change, and this needs to be addressed.

Globally the proportion of greenhouse gas emissions from aviation is currently relatively small. The Stern Report uses a figure of around 1.6% of global CO2 emissions for aviation.

We recognise that the impact of aviation on climate change is not just from CO2 emissions. Other emissions such as NOx and effects such as jet engine ‘contrails’ (condensation trails) also have an impact, although there is uncertainty over how much.

Taking into account non-CO2 impacts, the IPCC estimates that aviation accounts for around 3.5% of the total human contribution to climate change. By 2050, the IPCC estimate is that aviation will account for around 5% of the human contribution to climate change, though their figures range from 3.5% to 15%.

In the UK, the proportion of emissions from aviation is higher because the UK is an international aviation hub. Current CO2 emissions from aviation are 6% of the total (around ten million tonnes of carbon). The projected growth in air travel means emissions from aviation will rise at a time when there are targets to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from the economy as a whole. The UK Government’s predictions are that aviation could account for around 21% of the UK’s total carbon emissions by 2050.

Our approach: Under the Kyoto agreement, the UK is committed to reducing its emissions of greenhouse gases to 12.5% below 1990 levels. This is to be achieved between 2008 and 2012. The UK Government has also set a longer-term goal of a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. We are committed to playing our part in the achievement of these goals for the industry as a whole and within BAA’s operations.

Where we have direct control over carbon emissions, such as energy use in our facilities, we aim to lead the airport industry in managing them. Where we do not have direct control over emissions, for example in the case of flights, we will use our influence to lead changes.

Emissions from flights
To develop and promote measures to minimise emissions from aircraft, BAA’s strategy has two main elements: to work with the aviation industry to promote technological and operational improvements, and to provide support to policymakers to incorporate aviation into emissions trading.

Technological and operational improvements
Aircraft manufacturers have delivered impressive improvements in fuel efficiency over the past 30 years, and expect to continue to make improvements with each new generation of design of aircraft and engine. European manufacturers have set a target for new aircraft in 2020 to be 50% more efficient than new aircraft from 2000.

There are also significant opportunities to make air traffic control more efficient. The ‘Single European Sky’ is a project to integrate European air traffic control systems. The International Air Transport Association has predicted that 12% of global aviation CO2 emissions could be saved if air traffic control systems were made more efficient.

However, aviation is growing at a faster rate than technology can reduce emissions and at present there is currently no significant alternative to burning kerosene. Therefore cost-effective policy measures also need to be developed.

Emissions trading
Emissions trading represents the most econmically efficient and environmentally effective way of aviation addressing the impacts of its emissions. When carbon trading is achieved in Europe, part of the climate impact from aviation will be offset by reductions in other industries, but paid for by the aviation industry, ultimately through the price of tickets.

We are working closely with key stakeholders in Europe – including government, industry and NGOs – to build support for incorporating aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

The current European Commission proposal is to incorporate aviation by 2011. BAA views action at a European level as an interim step towards integration in the global climate policy framework.

You can read more on our approach to climate change in BAA Limited’s Corproate Responsibility Report (www.baa.com/corporateresponsibility).

Managing Heathrow’s impact
Aside from aviation, there are other ways that Heathrow contributes to global warming. This includes:

• Greenhouse gas emissions generated by the production of the energy used in airport buildings
• Ground emissions from vehicles used by passengers and staff to get to and from the airport
• Ground emissions from vehicles and aircraft on the airfield.

At Heathrow we are committed to tackling these different sources of emissions. See our energy use section and surface transport   for more information about how we manage these impacts.