- Heathrow 2.0, the airport’s new sustainability strategy, launches new initiatives to make Heathrow into a centre of excellence for aviation
- Plans include a new R&D incubator, an ambition for growth from a new runway to be carbon neutral and at least halving the number of late-running departures to reduce noise for local communities
Speaking at the BCC’s Annual Conference, Heathrow Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye unveiled Heathrow 2.0, the airport’s new sustainability leadership strategy which aspires to make the airport a centre of excellence for the aviation industry. The strategy announces ambitious goals to reduce the airport’s and the industry’s environmental impacts while maximising economic opportunities throughout the UK.
John Holland-Kaye commented: “Heathrow 2.0. is a step-change for our business, and accelerates the shift in our industry towards a sustainable future for aviation. By focusing on the long-term, and through working together, we can deliver a world-leading economy – innovative, competitive, successful and sustainable. And we can create a future where our business, our people, our communities, our country and our world, can all thrive.”
Heathrow 2.0 was drafted with input from environmental groups, academics, community leaders, as well as Heathrow colleagues, passengers, commercial partners and suppliers. As part of Heathrow 2.0, the airport has invested an initial £500,000 in its first R&D incubator to minimise aviation’s impacts like noise and carbon emissions. Heathrow will consult leading experts to identify participants from the aviation industry, academia and business. By the end of the year, more funding sources will also be identified so that the incubator opens its doors in 2019.
Paul Britton, CEO at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce added: “We welcome today’s announcement and publication of Heathrow 2.0. A commitment to the UK and Thames Valley local economy. Notably we are pleased to see consideration to delivering a sustainable plan with environmental and community concerns at the forefront.
“We trust the plan will contribute to a proud track record in the Thames Valley as a centre of excellence for many leading U.K sectors – from film and media to motorsport and high performance engineering; life sciences and ICT; aerospace and space to financial services. These are Key sectors that drive both the Thames Valley and Britain that require an effective and Heathrow hub gateway between the UK and established and emerging global markets growth.
“We look forward to supporting the delivery of a Heathrow sustainable growth plan for the benefit of the Thames valley economy.”
Heathrow 2.0 puts forward targets to deliver a sustainable future for aviation. It includes an aspiration to make growth from a new runway at Heathrow carbon neutral, and the use of 100% renewable electricity at the airport from 2017 in a major step toward creating a zero-carbon airport. It also proposes establishing an airside ultra-low emission zone by 2025, to improve quality of life through cleaner air.
Heathrow 2.0 also outlines new initiatives for the benefit of local communities – including a voluntary Quiet Night Charter seeking to at least halve by 2022 the number of flights on non-disrupted days leaving late after 1130pm. Heathrow 2.0 launches a “Fly Quiet and Clean” league table, which will publicly rank airlines according to their noise and emissions.
Finally, Heathrow 2.0 aims to deliver a better working place for colleagues by creating 10,000 apprenticeships by 2030 with a third runway, and publishing a roadmap in 2017 setting out how to transition Heathrow’s supply chain employees working at the airport to be paid the London Living Wage.
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