Manchester Airport's Environmental Commitment
If you would like more information on Sustainable Aviation please contact us

Manchester Aiport Commits To Become Carbon Neutral

Manchester Airport has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2015 for its energy and vehicle use.

The Airport has this week published its Master Plan, which sets a new target date to become carbon neutral as part of a new package of environmental measures.

The announcement follows a ground-breaking project between Manchester Airport and The Carbon Trust to calculate the Airport’s carbon emissions. The study revealed that in 2005 Manchester Airport produced 430,000 tonnes of CO2. 60% was generated by ground transport (passenger and staff journeys to and from the Airport), 23% by aircraft taxiing on the ground and almost 18% comes from energy use in the terminals.

The new commitment is to reduce the amount of carbon emitted from energy use in the terminals by improved efficiency and opting for energy saving equipment. In addition 100% of electricity will be bought from renewable sources and any remaining shortfall will be offset. The Airport is also trialling ways to generate its own energy using wind turbines as part of a commitment to generate 20% of its own energy by 2020.

Tim Walmsley, Manchester Airport’s Environment Manager said of the commitment: “By 2015 Manchester Airport is expecting to handle 33 million passengers per year – the carbon neutral target relates to all three terminals, the two runways and the airfield and takes into consideration the growth in passenger numbers so it is a major commitment.

“We have been working towards becoming carbon neutral but this new target presents a significant challenge and we will be concentrating on reducing the amount of energy we use in the terminals and installing energy saving equipment wherever possible.”

Energy efficiency initiatives that have been introduced include replacing the old lamps in the Sky Link with energy efficient bulbs. This has saved 120 tonnes of CO2 a year and around £18K in energy bills. All washrooms across the site will be fitted with movement sensors so the lights are turned off while the room is not in use. This will save 350 tonnes of CO2 a year.

The Airport is also installing sleeping escalators, which only move when needed and switching off all office equipment when not in use. It is also encouraging drivers to turn off vehicle engines when not needed; pilots to switch off their auxiliary engine and plug into more energy efficient mains power supplies and train drivers will switch off their engines in Manchester Airport station, reducing noise and pollution.

Manchester Airport has been praised by the Government for its commitment to becoming carbon neutral. In the Future of Air Transport Progress Report (2006) it states, “We would recommend that all airports follow the example of Manchester Airport and plan to become carbon neutral”.

Tim added: “This is an ambitious target and we are ahead of every other UK airport and will deliver major environmental and financial benefits from reducing our carbon emissions.”

This announcement comes just days after the Airports Council International called for airports world wide to work towards becoming carbon neutral at its conference in Buenos Aires.

All four airports in the Manchester Airports Group – East Midlands Airport, Bournemouth Airport and Humberside – are now committed to be carbon neutral by 2015. East Midlands Airport has built a new low carbon pier, costing £6 million and has submitted planning application to install 4 wind turbines. It was also the first airport in Europe to offer WebTrak, an online facility to view aircraft operation in airspace to allow for tracking and monitoring.

Ends

Notes to Editors

The carbon neutral commitment relates to the Airport’s energy use at the site and does not cover flights, which are the responsibility of the Airlines and will be covered by the EU emissions trading scheme.


All of the operations at Manchester Airport including passenger and staff travel to the Airport, energy usage and aircraft taxiing on the ground produced 0.7% of the North West CO2 in 2005

Initiatives being deployed by the Airport to help reduce carbon emissions include:

Reducing the need for energy by replacing outdated equipment with more energy efficient replacements. The lamps in the Sky Link were replaced with energy efficient bulbs at a cost of £1.5K. This has saved 120 tonnes of CO2 a year and around £18K in energy bills. Other ideas that will be implemented include bringing in new signage for the Airport which reflects light and does not need illuminating at night

Using energy efficiently. The Airport is introducing a scheme where all washrooms across the site will be fitted with movement sensors so the lights are turned off while the room is not in use. This will save 350 tonnes of CO2 a year.

Buying energy from renewable sources – The Airport currently buys 20% of its electricity from renewable sources. The goal is to buy 100% from renewable sources by 2015 and we are committed to generating 20% of our own energy by 2020.

Offsetting any remaining carbon emissions.

Ideas under investigation for the future include:

  • Managing CO2 emissions from passenger and staff journeys to the Airport
  • Developing the public transport infrastructure with a third rail platform at the Airport and the expansion of the Metrolink. New ambitious targets have been set for 40% of passengers and 50% of staff to use public transport to get to the Airport
  • Managing the CO2 emissions from aircraft whilst they are on the ground
  • Putting Aircraft into position using tugs – this is currently being trialed at Gatwick.
  • Working with NATS (National Air Traffic Services) to ensure all aircraft minimise taxiing journeys. If all aircraft took the average taxi time it would save 10,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
For more information please contact the press office on tel: 0161 489 2700, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or join Manchester Airport Press Office group on Facebook.

Summary of highlights;

MANCHESTER AIRPORT PUBLISHES MASTER PLAN AND ENVIRONMENT PLAN TO 2030

Manchester Airport commits to carbon neutral date

Manchester Airport has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2015 for its energy and vehicle use.

The Airport has this week published its Master Plan, which sets a new target date to become carbon neutral as part of a new package of environmental measures.

Manchester Airport to introduce personal pods to transport passengers

Manchester Airport is set to introduce personal rapid transit pods to speed passengers around the site as part of a drive to reduce energy use and emissions.

A system of driverless automatic pods, travelling on their own guideway network, which are available on demand for passengers, are to be introduced. The pods emit no pollution and use significantly less energy than other transport systems.

Manchester Airport to launch carbon offset scheme

Manchester Airport is to launch a carbon offset scheme for passengers.

The Airport is to unveil a scheme which will allow passengers to offset the carbon emissions generated by their travel by paying into a fund which will then be used to support local carbon reducing initiatives. As a first step, the Airport is offsetting all the business travel of its own employees.

Manchester Airport to introduce Green driving tests

Manchester Airport is to introduce new green driving tests for all airside drivers and vehicles.

Airside drivers will have to pass stringent new tests which will encourage them to switch off their engines when possible and to drive economically. Vehicles will be graded on their pollution levels and the greenest will attract lower charges to encourage the use of energy efficient vehicles powered by bio diesel and electricity.

Manchester Airport to introduce high-speed aircraft tugs

Manchester Airport is to introduce high-speed aircraft tugs as part of a drive to reduce emissions from aircraft on the ground.

Aircraft will be moved to and from the stands by energy efficient tug vehicles rather than the aircraft using their own, less efficient engines to get into position for arrival or departure.

Manchester Airport to drive the big switch off

Manchester Airport is driving a major switch-off to help save energy.

The Airport is installing sleeping escalators which only move when needed, movement sensitive lighting and switching off all office equipment when not in use.

It is also encouraging drivers to turn off vehicle engines when not needed; pilots to switch off their auxiliary engine and plug into more energy efficient mains power supplies and train drivers will switch off their engines in the Manchester Airport station, reducing noise and pollution.

Ends

For more information please contact the press office on tel: 0161 489 2700, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or join Manchester Airport Press Office group on Facebook.