BIRMINGHAM Airport has revealed plans to become carbon net zero by 2033.
Airport bosses have laid out a road map for the next decade starting with a four-year multi-million pound investment to make the site more eco-friendly.
The proposals also outline plans to boost solar power, increase the number of electric vehicle charging points in car parks and renewing the airport’s heating and cooling infrastructure, including upgrades to the main building and a transition to low carbon.
Birmingham Airport’s chief executive, Nick Barton, said: “While we have a good track record in achieving low carbon operations, we know that meeting our net zero target will need more impactful and immediate action.
“Through innovation and partnership cooperation, we can make real change to climate impact.
“We’re proud to have made this commitment and eager to reduce our carbon footprint for emissions within our own control, but also to innovate with stakeholders to introduce low-carbon operations associated with aircraft and ground movements.”
The airport says it has already reduced its carbon emissions by 33 per cent over the past ten years by using solar, electric vehicle transition and energy-efficiency measures.
Alongside the launch of its Net Zero Carbon Plan, the airport has also published its Sustainability Update for 2020/21, which outlines the aims and objectives for climate change, local air quality, waste, supply chain and the circular economy, water, biodiversity and noise.
Nick said: “When we launched the Sustainability Strategy in late 2019, never could we have imagined the impact the pandemic would have on all our lives.
“While by no means unique, the impact on aviation has been severe and we have had to diversify and prioritise investments over the last few years.
“Being a responsible neighbour is a key business imperative for Birmingham Airport so I hope these publications will inform our stakeholders on how we will continue to create jobs and serve our region’s flying needs whilst mitigating our impact on the environment and surrounding communities.”
