Did we achieve our 2010 policy?
In 2010, we created a 10 point sustainability policy – 10 issues and 10 years to achieve them. We called it our Decade of Change.
We set challenging targets as we worked towards our goal of being a sustainable airport. It included and went further than our legal obligations - our Section 106 agreement.
10 years on and we are very proud with the progress we have made. Explore the tabs below to find out how we performed against our 10 point plan.
Read the Decade of Change 2010-2020 goals performance report - view in PDF
Supporting our people and local communities
In our first Decade of Change we wanted to:
1. Demonstrate that we are a trusted and valued neighbour
Share the benefits of Gatwick's growth. Contributing to the social, environmental and educational development of our community.
Did we achieve it? In 2019, 75% of people in our communities said they are proud of Gatwick. We contributed £1.97 million to the Gatwick Airport Community Trust since 2010.
Read more about our work with the local communities
2. Fulfil our role as an economic driver of local, regional and national significance
Develop and fulfil our role as an economic driver of local, regional and national significance.
Did we achieve it? By 2019, we generated £2.7 billion to regional GDP. We boosted UK trade by £7.2 billion.
3. Reduce the impact of operational noise
Be consistently recognised as a best practice operator for noise management.
Did we achieve it? By 2019, 62% of aircraft meet the highest ICAO noise standard. We track keep 98% of flight noise.
Read more about how we manage airplane noise
More detail about our results can be found in the 2010-2020 Decade of Change Goals Performance report.
Continue our net zero transition
In our first Decade of Change we wanted to:
4. Reduce our carbon emissions by 50% (vs. 1990)
Reduce our carbon emissions by 50%. (Total known CO2 at a 1990 baseline vs 2020 scope 1 & 2 emissions).
Did we achieve it? By 2019, we reduced our overall carbon emissions by 54% (vs. 1990). In 2017, airport operations were certified carbon neutral.
Read more on our transition to net zero
5. Improve air quality impacts
Improve air quality impacts using new technology, processes and systems.
Did we achieve it? By 2019, 30% of airplanes meet the highest standard for engine emissions.
Read more on air quality in our annual Joint Report on air quality monitoring.
6. 20% reduction in energy consumption
20% reduction in energy (against 1990 baseline).
Did we achieve it? By 2019, we reduced our energy consumption by 11% (vs.1990). We replaced our terminal and runway lights with energy efficient LEDs.
Read more on our energy consumption
7. Increase sustainable access options for our passengers and staff
Achieve 40% public transport mode share for air passengers and staff by the time the airport reaches 40mppa. We aimed to increase this to 45% if possible.
Did we achieve it? By 2019, 47% of passengers reach Gatwick by public transport. 43% of staff use public transport to get to work.
Read more on sustainable transport
More detail about our results can be found in the 2010-2020 Decade of Change Goals Performance report.
Protect and enhance our local environment
In our first Decade of Change we wanted to:
8. Generate no waste to landfill
Generate no untreated waste to landfill and achieve a 70% waste recycling rate.
Did we achieve it? We have sent zero untreated waste to landfill since 2016. 70% of waste is recycled and 30% is used to make energy.
Read more on our waste management
9. Reduce the amount of drinking water used
Reduce the amount of drinking water used by 25% (vs. 2010 benchmark)
Did we achieve it? We reduced our water consumption by 25% (vs. 2010).
10. Have an award winning Biodiversity approach
Achieving a nationally recognised award for ecological awareness.
Did we achieve it? We have been accredited by the Wildlife Trust with a Biodiversity benchmark since 2013.
75 hectares of airport land is actively managed for biodiversity.
Read more about our Biodiversity and greenspaces
More detail about our results can be found in the 2010-2020 Decade of Change Goals Performance report.