Our Environment
There is considerable environmental pressure on aviation at present but the UK government set out a sustainable long-term strategy for the development of air travel in 2003 ensuring that the environmental challenge of aviation is responded to but also supporting the development of regional airports like those within the Manchester Airports Group (MAG).
MAG’s airports are vital for the social and economic prosperity of the regions that they serve but we recognise that our future growth depends upon our ability to minimise the adverse impact of our operations. At the core of our environmental strategy is MAG’s carbon neutral commitment for 2015 for those aspects of our operation within our direct control.
However, MAG is also being proactive in seeking to influence others associated with the operation of our sites to reduce carbon emissions. We’re working on improving passenger surface access to significantly reduce private car journeys, promoting staff travel and including aircraft emissions into the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme.
Working Together
This is no simple task with each of our airports working alongside several different service partners to achieve these goals. If we are to meet our environmental targets then it can only be achieved through the co-operation and close working of all the partners on site.
Within our group we have an Environment steering group that draws upon a wide knowledge base from across the four airport sites and is advising on the direction of the business. Headed by the Managing Director of the Regional Airports Division, Penny Coates, we are ensuring that the environment has the highest profile and presence in the business.
We’re making sure that everyone on site is working with us in the delivery of our goal, devising a training programme to enhance the knowledge of our staff and ensuring that Co2 reduction is at the top of everyone’s agenda.
The Manchester Airports Group has a long established history of environmental best practice in the sector witnessed in our commitment to recycling, ensuring that despite plans to grow the business, that the amount of waste does not increase and we have set ourselves strict targets to adhere to. Just as an example of what we have achieved, East Midlands Airport recycled 183 tonnes of rubbish – a record year for EMA.
On a national level, the Group is also a member of the Sustainable Aviation coalition, which brings together the main players from the UK’s airlines, airports, manufacturers and air traffic management providers working under one strategy to ensure the long-term development of the sector.
At a time when the industry is often criticised for failing to live up to its environmental commitments, the Manchester Airports Group is ensuring that the concept of a sustainable industry is at the forefront of our growth as a business.