London Gatwick takes another step forward on road to net zero
- Airport secures global accreditation for its plans to reduce emissions in line with global climate goals
- Over £250 million will be invested in measures including an electric vehicle fleet, and replacing gas boilers and refrigerants
- “Achieving net zero will be critical to the future success of the airport” says airport CEO
London Gatwick has achieved Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme - the only institutionally-endorsed, global carbon management certification programme for airports.
The global scheme independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions through six levels of certification: ‘Mapping’, ‘Reduction’, ‘Optimisation’, ‘Neutrality’, ‘Transformation’ and ‘Transition’.
Level 4+ Transition
In addition to London Gatwick's existing carbon reduction success, to achieve Level 4+ ‘Transition’, the airport was required to set out a policy commitment, alongside detailed targets, trajectories and action plans to reduce emissions in line with global climate goals.
London Gatwick has been carbon neutral since 2017, through the ACA scheme. This required the airport to offset its residual Scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as emissions related to business travel.
Key to achieving this accreditation was also London Gatwick’s Stakeholder Partnership Plan. This sets out how the airport will drive third parties on the airport campus to reduce their emissions, either through their own reduction plans or measures initiated by the airport.
London Gatwick’s net zero investment
Earlier this year, London Gatwick accelerated its commitment to be net zero for its own Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, 10 years ahead of its previous commitment. This brings its ambition in line with all other airports operated by VINCI Airports in the European Union. London Gatwick joins a growing number of airports from VINCI Airports’ network which have achieved the highest level of the ACI's environmental assessment programme[1].
This will be achieved by investing over £250 million to reduce carbon emissions, including by moving to an electric vehicle fleet and replacing gas boilers and refrigerants with low carbon alternatives.
The airport will also continue to reduce overall energy use, invest in on-site renewable energy, including solar power, and source renewable electricity through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Stewart Wingate, London Gatwick Chief Executive Officer, said: “Reaching Level 4+ of the Airport Accreditation Scheme is a significant milestone on the journey to making net zero a reality. It also recognises the effort, focus and determination my teams have invested in this important area of our operation.
“Achieving net zero will be critical to the future success of the airport. We remain committed to reducing our environmental impact, while also continuing to contribute positively to our communities and helping our local and national economies to thrive."
Footnotes
London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest airport and is a vital piece of national infrastructure that helps drive both the regional and national economy. More than 40 airlines fly from the airport to over 150 short-haul and more than 45 long-haul destinations. The airport is focused on rebuilding and growing sustainably in the long term. It has ambitious plans to be a net zero airport by 2030 and increase capacity by bringing its Northern runway into routine use. Vinci Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.99% interest.
The world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries. Thanks to its expertise as a global integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimizing operational performance, modernizing infrastructure and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to an international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.
For more information:
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is a leading infrastructure investor that specializes in investing in, owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors. With decarbonization central to our investment thesis, we are well positioned to support the global energy transition. Headquartered in New York, GIP has offices in Brisbane, Dallas, Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, Singapore, Stamford and Sydney.
GIP has approximately $100 billion in assets under management. Our portfolio companies have combined annual revenues of approximately $80 billion and employ over 100,000 people. We believe that our focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with our deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables us to be responsible stewards of our investors' capital and to create positive economic impact for communities. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com.
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London, UK, 5 October 2023
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