Since launching its Environmental Flight Path in September 2019, Cardiff Airport has achieved a number of milestones in its journey to becoming a carbon neutral airport. 

Cardiff Airport has strengthened its commitment to greener travel by launching a pool car scheme earlier this month. In partnership with Days Leasing, staff can now use an electric powered zero emissions Nissan Leaf vehicle to travel between sites in a cost and carbon efficient manner. To support this, a new electric vehicle charging point has been installed by the main terminal.

Furthermore, since signing up to the Healthy Travel Charter in October 2019, the Airport has encouraged a more eco-friendly commute by introducing a cycle-to-work scheme for staff, engaging with local public transport providers such as the Traws Cymru T9 bus to provide staff discounts, and installing on-site electric vehicle charging points for airport team members. Chargers are also available for customers in the Meet and Greet car park.

The Airport is continuing to improve the customer experience in an environmentally conscious way through the installation of 14 desks and kiosks ‘upcycled’ from Heathrow Terminal 1 and refurbished for use at Cardiff Airport from March 2020.

Since implementing a new waste management strategy in partnership with Smiths Gloucester Ltd, the airport is making strides in improving its recycling, and has already achieved zero waste to landfill. Cardiff Airport is also committed to combining its green efforts with supporting the local community: in the past month, Cardiff Airport has supplied over 500kg of compost generated from the on-site Food Rocket to the nearby Ceri Road allotments in Rhoose, helping the local community grow fresh fruit and vegetables.

The Airport has also worked with the eco committee at Pendoylan Church in Wales Primary School on their environmental project, helping them to produce an animated video about the Airport’s Environmental Flight Path. Click here to view the video.

Mark Bailey, Director of Planning and Development at Cardiff Airport said: “I’m extremely proud of what we have achieved since launching our Environmental Flight Path last year. The team have worked really hard to drive forward environmental initiatives that are key to achieving carbon neutral status. We are especially proud that 100% of our electricity comes from renewable sources, and that we have reduced our emissions by over 50% over the past eight years.

“We will continue to review and update our Environmental Flight Path over the short and long-term and use it for a benchmark for success as we work towards our Masterplan for 2040.”

Paula Vaughan, Head Teacher at Pendoylan Church in Wales Primary School added: “as a local primary school, it is fantastic to see the Airport’s commitment to becoming more environmentally friendly and working with the community in doing so. The children really enjoyed working on the video project, and we look forward to seeing Cardiff Airport’s progress on its journey to becoming carbon neutral.”

Further achievements to date:

• A reduction of 53% in our carbon emissions over eight years
• Natural Gas consumption has been reduced by 29% over one year
• Electricity consumption has been reduced by 7% over one year
• Since October 2019, 100% of our electricity supply is sourced from renewable and clean sources
• We have replaced end of life equipment with modern, more energy efficient technology
• We have replaced light fittings with LED and energy efficient solutions
• Air Traffic Control uses continuous descent operations for aircraft on approach which reduces the impact of noise
• The ground-running of engines during anti-social hours has been restricted
• We encourage twin engine aircraft to taxi with one engine
• We have recruited an Environmental Officer to join the team at Cardiff Airport
• An extensive audit of Cardiff Airport’s environmental management system has led to the fourth consecutive achievement of the BS 8555:2003 Seren Standard accreditation. This recognises the Airport’s commitment towards legal compliance, environmental performance and continued improvement.

The journey ahead:

• Updating Cardiff Airport’s Climate Change Adaptation Report
• Continuing to work with all partners to further the reduce plastic use
• Commissioning and installing a solar PV farm on the Airport site

Click here to view the Environmental Flight Path