Our Progress to Date

0%

Reduction in CO2 emissions in the last 6 years.  

We have achieved this by:

  • Installing LED lighting throughout the terminal, with motion sensors fitted in many areas, including offices, to reduce energy usage;
  • Retrofitting variable speed drives on the escalators in the terminal to reduce power usage during periods of low utilisation; and
  • Upgrade of the airfield signage light boxes from the existing fluorescent strip lighting to LEDs.
featured image
0%

LED lighting on our runway

This major project, which took three years, was completed in 2019.  Whilst our passengers numbers have increased, at the same time this project has enabled a significant reduction in carbon emissions, decoupling airport growth from increased carbon emissions.

100% of our electricity supply is from renewable sources. 

featured image
feature_icon

We’re accredited under the Airport Carbon Accreditation Scheme (ACAS), a voluntary global management standard specifically for airports.

There are six levels to ACAS and we are aiming to achieve the highest level possible.  We achieved Level 1 in 2020 and in early 2022, we achieved Level 2, demonstrating a year on year reduction in our carbon footprint.  

The highest level of accreditation requires us to align our carbon management ambition with global climate goals and transform our operations with absolute emissions reductions.  This includes both the emissions we control, such as our energy use and those we can influence, for example third party ground operations and flights.

We are currently working towards Level 3, which we hope to achieve by the end of 2023.

featured image
feature_icon

We partnered with the University of Warwick, to research the future of zero-emission airport operations.

This pioneering programme of research saw the creation of a model for airport energy, simulating and understanding the infrastructure impacts of electric and hydrogen aircraft, as well as support vehicles, on UK airport operations.

This research is part of a wider Zero Emissions Flight Infrastructure project, which will identify the opportunities and challenges associated with adopting zero emission aircraft within UK aviation.

The funding for the project was awarded by the Department for Transport’s Transport Research and Innovation Grant programme – TRIG: Zero Emission Flight, which was delivered by Connected Places Catapult.


featured image

Owned & Controlled Emissions

We’re undergoing a major terminal extension and refurbishment that presents significant opportunity to decarbonise LBA.

Emissions we own and control are known as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.  This includes all the carbon emissions for which we are directly responsible and in full control of.  For example, our own energy use, heating, cooling and company vehicles.  It is for this reason, that our carbon roadmap focusses on our own emissions as a priority, since we are in full control of this.  However, we can’t ignore the emissions produced by our on-site business partners (Scope 3 emissions), including the airlines.  Therefore, we are committed to putting measures in place to encourage and make it easier for our partners to decarbonise their own operations.


Carbon Net Zero Roadmap
2018 - 2030

Download PDF

Greener energy supply and management

All electricity supply to the airport will be guaranteed to originate from renewable sources and we will also instigate the on-site generation of renewable energy.

overlay image

Electric bus replacement & Biofuels

We are currently trialling a range of electric buses, which will replace our existing diesel bus fleet, for use in our long stay car parks and aircraft busing operations from 2023.


We are switching from diesel to biofuel, which will provide at a least a 90% reduction in carbon emissions from our vehicle fleet whilst we transition to EV.

overlay image

Terminal Refurbishment, Extension & Energy Efficiency

A full refurbishment of the existing terminal building will include the removal of natural gas for heating to an alternative, sustainable heating system, such as air source heat pumps, along with energy efficiency improvements.  This includes new efficient baggage belt equipment and reflective window film along the arrivals corridor to reduce solar heat gain, thus less cooling required during the summer months. 


In addition, the terminal building will receive a fully electrified and energy efficient extension.

overlay image

Offsetting emissions

Carbon offsets will be purchased from the most established and credible programmes, for example, Gold Standard certified projects, for any emissions that cannot be reduced by other means.  However, we propose to keep this to an absolute minimum.

overlay image

Emissions we can influence

Surface access for staff & passengers

We are proposing to redevelop a plot of land on the airport site into a dedicated EV charging hub for use by our passengers, staff and on-site partners.


We’re working with Leeds and Bradford City Councils to increase the range of travel options available to our customers and staff:

  • Free pick-up and drop-off on the terminal front for EV drivers.  In addition, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme has been set up to assist and incentivise our employees in purchasing a brand-new electric vehicle. Free pick-up and drop-off on the terminal front for EV drivers. In addition, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme has been set up to assist and incentivise our employees in purchasing a brand-new electric vehicle.
  • We are working with our airport transport partner, Transdev, to upgrade the existing Flyer bus network to a fully electric powered fleet.  The Flyer buses connect Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate to the airport.  In order to encourage our employees to take the bus to work, a 50% discount is available for staff on all the Flyer buses. We are working with our airport transport partner, Transdev, to upgrade the existing Flyer bus network to a fully electric powered fleet. The Flyer buses connect Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate to the airport. In order to encourage our employees to take the bus to work, a 50% discount is available for staff on all the Flyer buses.
  • Supporting Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority in building LBA Parkway – a new railway station, less than a mile away that will link the airport via a shuttle bus, improving public transport links to the airport. Supporting Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority in building LBA Parkway – a new railway station, less than a mile away that will link the airport via a shuttle bus, improving public transport links to the airport.
  • A Cycle to Work Scheme has been available to our employees since 2010, as part of our sustainable travel plan.  The government changed their guidance on cycle to work schemes in 2019, removing the £1,000 cap on the purchase bikes and equipment.  This allowed us to change our policy to allow bike purchases up to the value of £3,500, which enables our employees to purchase electric bikes, thus making the scheme more relevant and accessible as ever. A Cycle to Work Scheme has been available to our employees since 2010, as part of our sustainable travel plan. The government changed their guidance on cycle to work schemes in 2019, removing the £1,000 cap on the purchase bikes and equipment. This allowed us to change our policy to allow bike purchases up to the value of £3,500, which enables our employees to purchase electric bikes, thus making the scheme more relevant and accessible as ever.
overview background

Third party ground operators

We’re introducing fixed electrical ground power (FEGP) on all aircraft contact stands in order to phase out the diesel-powered mobile ground power units (GPU’s), which are used to provide the aircraft with power whilst on the ground and when their engines are switched off.  FEGP allows the aircraft to obtain power directly from the local grid.  In addition to providing carbon savings, this will also improve the local air quality. 


In order to encourage our on-site business partners to switch to sustainable ground fleets, we will be providing EV charging infrastructure throughout the airport site.

overview background

Aircraft

We intend to create a carbon offset scheme through our website, to give passengers the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from their flight.  The carbon offsets purchased will be used towards the most credible and verifiable projects elsewhere, that are reducing, removing or capturing CO2 emissions from the atmosphere, thus compensating for individual emissions produced from taking a flight.  Projects include energy efficiency, renewable energy and reforestation.  


LBA’s flight emissions will significantly reduce  as aircraft decarbonise in the long term.  We’re assisting this by:

  • Offering financial incentives for new aircraft operations through favourable landing fees. Offering financial incentives for new aircraft operations through favourable landing fees.
  • Supporting airlines with their own sustainability plans. Supporting airlines with their own sustainability plans.
  • Jet2 launched their ‘Jet2 net zero’ strategy in September 2021, which sets out their decarbonisation plans to be net zero by 2050.  The plan can be downloaded here:  https://www.jet2plc.com/en/the-environment Jet2 launched their ‘Jet2 net zero’ strategy in September 2021, which sets out their decarbonisation plans to be net zero by 2050. The plan can be downloaded here: https://www.jet2plc.com/en/the-environment
  • Ryanair already operate one of the youngest fleets of aircraft in the skies and has offered its passengers a voluntary carbon offset scheme since 2018.  Ryanair have committed to help the aviation industry deliver a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions over 2005 levels, by 2050.  Ryanair’s environmental commitments can be downloaded here: https://corporate.ryanair.com/environment/ Ryanair already operate one of the youngest fleets of aircraft in the skies and has offered its passengers a voluntary carbon offset scheme since 2018. Ryanair have committed to help the aviation industry deliver a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions over 2005 levels, by 2050. Ryanair’s environmental commitments can be downloaded here: https://corporate.ryanair.com/environment/
  • KLM launched their ‘Fly Responsibly’ campaign in 2019 to encourage travellers and the aviation industry to consider the environmental impact of flying.  In January 2021, KLM were also the first airline in the world to carry out a commercial passenger flight using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).  Further details on how KLM are taking a leading role in the future sustainability of aviation can be found here: https://www.klm.nl/en/information/sustainability KLM launched their ‘Fly Responsibly’ campaign in 2019 to encourage travellers and the aviation industry to consider the environmental impact of flying. In January 2021, KLM were also the first airline in the world to carry out a commercial passenger flight using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Further details on how KLM are taking a leading role in the future sustainability of aviation can be found here: https://www.klm.nl/en/information/sustainability
  • Participating in Research & Development case studies to ensure we are prepared for the introduction of zero emission aircraft. Participating in Research & Development case studies to ensure we are prepared for the introduction of zero emission aircraft.
overview background

Total Aircraft CO2e Emissions at LBA 2018 - 2050