Climate change is a significant global issue. It is widely accepted that human activity is contributing to increasing amounts of greenhouse gases. This in turn is increasing the risk of global climate change.

Aviation has been identified as one of the contributors towards climate change: through greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft in flight and on the ground, and to a lesser extent through the energy used by airport buildings and ground operations.

Locally, we recognise that climate change is an important issue and we are committed to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at the airport. We also have a part to play in addressing emissions from aviation in general, and this is considered in a wider national and international framework. Our approach is to work through BAA and our trade associations to influence this wider agenda, while focusing on managing the impacts we have greater direct control over here at Southampton Airport.

BAA has worked actively since 2002 in developing the best approach to emissions trading. We expect to see legislation passed in 2008 to bring aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. We believe that this, together with improvements in aircraft technology, is the best approach to reducing total levels of carbon emissions.

In this section we focus on CO2 emissions that we have direct control over: from energy use in our buildings and infrastructure.

We measure and monitor energy use. Working with our engineering managers, we use this data to identify opportunities to set targets and reduce energy use.

CO2 emissions are calculated on the basis of gas and electricity used by our buildings and infrastructure. The forecast is calculated by taking the previous year’s target performance, and adding new developments planned for the year. We call this ‘business as usual’, and use it to set energy efficiency improvement targets for the next year.

There are two main elements in our approach to energy management. The first is managing the use of energy to the existing footprint through the Building Management Computer System which controls the heating and cooling. Additionally, this involves identifying where energy can be saved by replacing exisitng equipment with more energy efficient equipment. The second approach is to investigate the installation of energy efficient equipment or renewable sources during new developments. 

Some of the examples where energy savings have been made include:

• The use of solar powered lighting on the roundabout at the airport’s entrance
• The use of a lighting management system in the short stay car park which adjusts according to the levels of natural daylight
• The replacement of exisiting lighting with more efficient equipment.

We also participate in the Airports Carbon Management Group to explore ways of developing a common approach to measuring an airport’s carbon footprint.

Our long-term target is aligned to BAA’s target, which is to reduce our CO2 from energy consumption from 1990 levels by 15% by 2010 and 30% by 2020.