Environment and community are key to sustainable growth at Gatwick

The ‘Decade of Change’ tracks Gatwick’s progress on a series of sustainability goals and the report for 2018 shows that the airport has reduced its environmental footprint and developed a strong programme of support for the local economy and local communities.

The 10 goals that make up the ‘Decade of Change’ report are set over a ten-year period (2010 to 2020) and this year’s results include:  

• Recycling and reuse increasing to 64 per cent, with all empty coffee cups and plastics recycled and zero commercial and operational waste sent to landfill
• Carbon emissions from ground energy are now 50 per cent less than in 1990 which is halfway to net zero. Aircraft emissions remained at 2017 levels and surface access emissions fell slightly
• Gatwick’s contribution to the local economy saw 57 per cent of Gatwick staff employed from the local area and £128 million spent with local and regional suppliers
• Gatwick’s contribution to the local community included £192,248 raised for charity partners, 52 community events sponsored and 162 other local causes funded
• Securing the Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Benchmark certificate
• Achieving 44 per cent of passengers arriving at the airport by public transport
• Reducing the airport’s noise footprint by seven per cent in 2018, compared to the previous year
• Reducing the airport’s water consumption by five per cent, compared to 2018.

In addition, Gatwick continues to operate well within annual air quality limits for NO2, PM10 and PM25. 

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive Officer, Gatwick Airport, said: “Our ‘Decade of Change’ programme combines responsible environmental management with strong community programmes and has allowed us to grow while also reducing our environmental footprint.  We recognise that there is more to do and we will continue to strive in the years ahead on our journey to become the UK’s most sustainable airport.

“Achieving the aims of our ‘Decade of Change’ programme involves real teamwork and thousands of airport staff have contributed to its success. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played a part and I look forward to working together to achieve next year’s goals.”