Manchester Airport achieves carbon standard certification in move towards carbon neutrality
(photo: Manchester Airport)
Thu 19 Feb 2009 – Manchester Airport has become the first UK airport to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in recognition of the airport’s commitment to the environment through carbon emissions reduction and carbon management. The Carbon Trust was set up in 2001 by the UK Government as an independent company to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organizations to reduce their emissions. The airport has pledged to reach carbon neutral status by 2015.
Assessed by an independent third party, the Carbon Trust Standard certifies that an organization has reduced its carbon footprint and has committed to making further reductions year-on-year.
Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, commented: “The Standard is a way of demonstrating to stakeholders that you are doing what you claim and that real reductions in carbon dioxide are being made.
“The money saved from energy efficiency measures feeds back into the business and reduces our operating costs, which is very important in a highly competitive industry like ours, where we are under increasing pressure to lower charges to our customers.
“As we currently face a tough economic period, this is particularly important because it enables the airport to meet its environmental commitments, whilst continuing to be a driver of investment for the North West region.”
Manchester Airport is part of the Manchester Airports Group, which also includes East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside airports. The Group says it “has made dealing with the issue of carbon integral to its business strategy and will be the first airport group in the UK to reach carbon neutrality by 2015.”
Harry Morrison, General Manager of the Carbon Trust Standard, said: “Both businesses and consumers share a desire for one, credible way to prove an organization has not only measured, but actually reduced their carbon emissions year-on-year without the use of offsetting. The Carbon Trust Standard provides this credibility and we encourage more organizations to follow Manchester Airport in making this commitment.”
The Carbon Trust Standard was launched in June 2008 with the support of business and environmental groups, including WWF and Greenpeace, and so far 66 organizations have been awarded the Standard.
