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Southampton airport claims cut in carbon footprint

Emissions at Southampton airport fell by 43% in 2018 despite a record number of two million passengers travelling through the airport for the last two years.

This equates to an almost 11% decrease in emissions per passenger or the amount of energy used if each passenger watched TV for 56 hours.

The airport saved more than 970 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the past 12 months, which is equivalent to flying 210 times around the world.

Electricity consumption has fallen by 6.9% with more than 90% of the airport’s lighting being LED.

The airport claims to be the first UK airport to use LED lighting on aircraft stands.

Eleven electric car charging points at the short stay car park last year, estimated to have saved around 6,400kg of carbon dioxide emissions – the same as 19,726 miles driven by an average passenger car.

The airport also sends 65% of its waste – more than 300 tonnes – to recycling. The remaining waste is diverted from landfill to a special local facility, where it is burnt to generate electricity. The ash is then recycled and used as an aggregate for processes such as road maintenance.

Safety, health and environment manager Amy Le Vieux said: “Southampton airport is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and growing sustainably. That’s why every year we work with an independent organisation to produce a carbon footprint report which is shared directly with our stakeholders.

“We actively work on climate change by continuously looking for ways that can further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions throughout our processes and will aim to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.”

 

 

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