Abstract
Airports are setting net zero greenhouse gas emission targets. This thesis investigates how airports can take a credible and effective approach to net zero. Five studies present practical implications for strategy setting, solution development and operations. Paper 1 examines what constitutes a credible transition, assessing UK airport plans against a best practice framework. Plans have limited scope largely focussed on operational emissions and lack detail on offsetting and removals approaches. To deliver net zero, airports should incorporate these elements into strategy and commit adequate resources. The sector should develop an aligned approach to offsetting and removals. Paper 2 assesses the impacts of COVID-19 on airport plans. Airports reported short-term disruption but remain committed to long-term targets. COVID-19 demonstrated the impacts of a global risk on the sector. Adapting business models may alleviate disruption to progress. Two case studies at Heathrow explore solutions and operations. Paper 3 focuses on the airside zero-emission vehicle transition. Achieving zero-emission fleets in the 2030s is contingent on mandates pre-dating UK Government commitments, further incentives and infrastructure provision. Recognising the need for behavioural as well as technological interventions, Paper 4 shows how operational data (telematics) can be used to inform anti-idling interventions. Airport recovery presents an opportunity to establish pro-environmental behaviours. Paper 5 builds on low carbon concrete research for use on-airport, with a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of novel concretes against conventional mixes. Alkali-activated concretes present a viable ‘low carbon’ alternative in certain applications, but show greater environmental impacts in other categories. This demonstrates the need for material assessments to include a wider array of impacts. Airports should use specifications to drive continuous improvement in the supply chain and seek to embed LCA in decision-making. A holistic approach considering the airport as a system allows for a credible and effective net zero transition.