Newquay Airport leads the way in carbon offsetting

Friday 21st August, 2009

Newquay Cornwall Airport is establishing a comprehensive carbon offsetting initiative, covering all terminal and airfield operations, through a pioneering partnership between Cornwall Council and the Eden Project. It is believed this is the first time such a wide-ranging scheme has been introduced by any UK airport. The scheme will commence next year, five years ahead of the schedule outlined in the airport’s Masterplan.

The airport, which already carefully monitors the carbon footprint of its operations, has a range of ongoing projects to reduce its carbon emissions. This new fund will receive an annual payment from the airport to offset the carbon emissions that come from its terminal and airfield operations.

Chris Cain, project director for the airport, said: “By making the airport’s operations carbon neutral five years ahead of schedule, we are providing a model for other airports in the UK and Europe to follow and demonstrating our commitment to develop the airport sustainably.”

The offsets, provided by Eden Project’s partnership with Climate Care, are in energy efficiency projects in Cornwall and renewable energy projects in developing countries.

Mark Beeley, Eden retail director said: “The Eden Project Climate Fund was developed to do more than other, more traditional carbon offset schemes. At Eden we call this offset plus because it combines investment in certified carbon reduction projects around the world, along with investment in education and other projects which will contribute to a low carbon future for all of us.

“We’re really happy to be supporting Newquay Airport in this venture which goes way beyond what they have to do environmentally. If it is successful it could pave the way for many more local offsetting schemes, bringing direct benefits to many British households.’’

In addition to the verified carbon offsets, Newquay Airport is also funding a new initiative, managed by Community Energy Plus (CEP), providing top-up funding for government grants enabling around 50 Cornish households to benefit from free insulation in 2010.

Chris Cain said: “We are very pleased that Eden and CEP have been able to devise a way of meeting one of our key environmental objectives ahead of schedule and are delighted to be partnering with them.

“The details of the fund’s operation are still being finalised but we expect it to come into operation at the beginning of October with a first funding contribution being made at the end of the financial year.”

- Ends -

Editor’s notes:

Cornwall Airport Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cornwall County Council, which assumed operational management of Newquay Cornwall Airport on 1 April 07, gained its CAA licence on 19 December 2008 after completing its transition project to convert the airfield from military to civilian operations.

In 2008, Newquay Cornwall Airport was the fastest growing regional airport in the UK and 12th fastest growing airport in Europe. This summer, the Airport will offer 19 destinations throughout the UK, Ireland and the EU operated by eight airlines:

Air Southwest: Bristol, Cork, Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford, London Gatwick, London City Airport, Manchester, Newcastle, *winter* Grenoble

Skybus: Isles of Scilly, St. Brieuc (Brittany)

Flybe: Edinburgh, London Gatwick, Isle of Man

Ryanair: Alicante, London Stansted

Jet2.com: *new* Belfast International, *new* Leeds/Bradford

Lufthansa: Düsseldorf

Bmibaby: *new* Birmingham, Manchester

Falcon Travel: Zurich (Charter)

www.newquaycornwallairport.com