The airport has been awarded the Airport Carbon Accreditation for its environmental efforts
London Southend Airport has been awarded the Airport Carbon Accreditation by ACI EUROPE.
The certification is given to airports that reduce carbon emissions by utilising a structured programme. The achievement is the only institutionally endorsed, international carbon management certification programme for airports.
The facility has been recognised for its efforts to go carbon neutral by 2027: “We all know how important the airport is to our local economy and this positive attitude towards protecting the environment will help future-proof our town and create a greener Southend,” said James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East.
Glyn Jones, CEO of London Southend Airport, also believes “this is a great first step towards carbon neutrality and another part of our plan to develop a sustainable airport”.
Carbon emissions reduced significantly in 2019 compared with the previous year – around a 36% reduction in emissions per unit revenue.
“We all know that we cannot wait for the health crisis to loosen its grip on our industry to address the looming climate emergency, at the same time decarbonisation comes at a cost that cannot be absorbed easily in normal circumstances, not to mention the current financial devastation faced by airports across Europe and beyond,” said Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe director general.
“London Southend Airport is leading by example in continuing to invest in carbon management and reduction regardless. Hats off to the team that made it possible.”
Reducing CO2 is just one of the measures in place as an environmental consideration. The airport also has its own solar farm which provides power to the terminal, air quality monitors which remain below government guidelines and zero waste to landfill.
