Towards a sustainable Heathrow

2011 Sustainability performance summary

Heathrow’s vision is to make every journey better – how did you do last year?

We enjoyed a strong year in 2011, delivering record annual passenger traffic of 69.4 million (a 5.5% increase from 2010) whilst seeing improvements in service standards.

For example, we delivered our best punctuality performance in over a decade thanks to initiatives such as joint monitoring of performance with airlines and handlers and better operating procedures in poor weather. In addition, the airport’s ability to respond to disruptions such as adverse weather has improved as a result of our new winter resilience programme.

We continued to invest in developing the airport to make every journey better for our passengers. The superstructure of the new Terminal 2 building was completed in 2011 and, once open in 2014, around 70% of our passengers will enjoy some of the newest airport facilities in the world. Over the next few years, we will continue to invest billions of pounds to make the airport more efficient, supporting thousands of high value jobs.

It’s clear that passengers are noticing these improvements, with Heathrow achieving its highest ever overall passenger satisfaction in the global Airport Service Quality survey (3.88 compared to 3.84 in 2010), consolidating Heathrow’s position in the top two of the five biggest European airports on this measure.

While we’re pleased with our progress last year, we’re always striving for continual improvement at Heathrow, so in 2012 we’ll build on this success for the future.

Airport capacity has been a big topic in the last year - what role does Heathrow have in the future of UK aviation?

In its Sustainable Aviation scoping document, the Government asks whether having a hub airport is important to the UK. As the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow welcomes this debate.

Last year, the number of flights at the airport took Heathrow to 99.2% of its capacity – we are essentially full. And if there’s no room at the UK’s hub airport, airlines will be forced to put on new routes to emerging economies from competing hubs in Europe instead. The lack of direct flights to emerging markets is already costing the UK economy £1.2billion a year in lost trade as jobs and investment go to our better-connected continental rivals like France, Germany and the Netherlands. Instead of Britain taking the lead in forging new links with the fast growing economies like China, we are handing economic growth to our competitors.

Operating at capacity also has an implication on emissions. NATS has estimated that aircraft waste £120,000 each day through unnecessary stacking, while flying from the UK via a central European hub pushes up carbon emissions by forcing people to take two flights instead of one.

How are you paving the way to manage the airport more sustainably?

Our stretching sustainability targets, such as a 34% cut in CO2 from energy by 2020, are helping us make more sustainable investments for the future; these include London’s largest renewable woodchip boiler and solar power for the new Terminal 2.

Our performance outlined in this document puts us on track to deliver those targets.

We recognise that as well as bringing benefits, noise from Heathrow is one of the biggest concerns for people living around the airport. A big focus for Heathrow is our commitment to reducing the impacts of aircraft noise on local communities. For example, we’re working with airlines to use quieter planes, exploring how we can better communicate with our neighbours about noise and providing insulation schemes for residential and community buildings.

We are undertaking operational freedoms trials; looking at how new procedures can be used to bring benefits to the local community through fewer late-running flights and to the environment, by reducing aircraft stacking times, reducing emissions and improving efficiency.

In 2011, the Heathrow Sustainability Partnership, led by a board representing the airport’s major employers, set shared goals and aspirations for sustainable performance across the whole airport. Thanks to this collaborative approach, initiatives such as the car share scheme and the construction employment and skills Academy have had a much greater positive impact than we could have achieved alone.

Chief executive’s view2011 was a busy year for Heathrow. Here, CEO Colin Matthews shares his views on the year gone by and looks forward to the future.

Colin Matthewschief executive

Over the next few years, we

will continue to invest billions

of pounds to make the airport

more efficient, supporting

thousands of high value jobs.

Sustainability performance summary

1 Heathrow Airport Limited 2 Source: Heathrow Airport Limited audited annual accounts3 Figure for Heathrow payroll as at 31 December 2011 4 HAL undertakes research into passenger experience at Heathrow using the Quality

Service Monitor (QSM) survey. Around 37,000 passengers participate in the survey each year, which rates specific elements relating to the departure and arrival experience. The rating is based on a scale with 1 = very poor, 5 = excellent

5 Source: Airports Council International. Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey is the world’s leading airport customer satisfaction benchmark programme

6 Previous years’ CO2 emission factors have been updated in line with 2011 GHG reporting guidelines from DEFRA

7 Includes electricity, natural gas and fuel oil. Includes HEX depot. Decommissioning of CHP in 2011

8 All emissions from electricity have been recalculated using latest DEFRA emission factors. Energy sources include fixed assets, grid electricity, natural gas and gasoil consumption. CHP electricity is zero rated as emissions are captured from input fuel. Includes emissions from Heathrow Express depot

9 Carbon dioxide equivalents. Emissions from refrigerants, fuel consumption in utilities and company owned/leased operational vehicles/equipment

10 Emissions from electricity consumption, including Heathrow Express depot

11 Emissions from aircraft in the landing and take-off cycle (as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)), passenger and staff surface access, third party operational vehicles and equipment, HAL employee business travel, waste management, water supply and treatment

12 HAL controls CO2e performance at Heathrow by directly managing emissions within its operational and financial control. Includes emissions from electricity fuel consumption in utilities, HAL owned/leased vehicles and refrigerants

13 HAL guides CO2e performance at Heathrow by agreeing with airport companies and staff the policies, standards and operating procedures used to manage emissions within and close to the airport boundary. Includes emissions from airport staff travel, aircraft on the ground, third party operational vehicles, waste management, and water supply and treatment

14 HAL influences CO2e performance at and beyond Heathrow by engaging with airport stakeholders to develop and promote solutions to managing emissions. Includes emissions from passenger travel to and from the airport and aircraft taking-off and landing

15 Air traffic movements: all scheduled movements (whether loaded or empty) and loaded charter movements. Empty positioning flights by scheduled aircraft and empty charter movements are excluded. (from DfT, Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2010)

16 The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Committee on Environmental Protection (CAEP) regularly tightens aircraft engine emissions standards to take technological advances into consideration. The current standard, CAEP/6, came into force in 2008 and has 12% lower NOx emissions that its predecessor, CAEP/4

This document provides a summary of our performance in managing Heathrow’s key sustainability issues. Further information on our sustainability strategy, as well as our series of briefings ‘Towards a sustainable Heathrow’, is available at www.heathrowairport.com/sustainability.

Performance measure 2008 2009 2010 2011General businessUnderlying revenue (£ million)2 1,576 1,745 1,855.5 2,047.2

Operating profit (£ million)2 288.1 363.1 438.7 570.9

HAL1 employees3 5,516 5,407 5,148 5,578

Passengers (million) 66.9 65.9 65.7 69.4

Airlines 93 90 89 86

Destinations served 187 179 171 183

Flights 473,139 460,026 449,220 476,197

Cargo (1,000 tonnes) 1,401 1,278 1,473 1,485

QSM - Security queue time rating (departing passengers)4 4.07 3.80 3.98 4.09

QSM - Overall airport experience rating (arriving passengers)4 4.06 4.12 4.12 4.12

QSM - Overall airport experience rating (departing passengers)4 4.06 4.12 4.12 4.15

ASQ5 - Airport Service Quality 3.60 3.78 3.84 3.88

EnvironmentClimate change6

Total energy use (GWh)7 1,073 976 894 687

CO2 emissions from energy use (tonnes, million)8 0.336 0.327 0.316 0.305

Scope 1 CO2e* emissions (tonnes, million)9 0.099 0.082 0.074 0.034

Scope 2 CO2e emissions (tonnes, million)10 0.238 0.245 0.242 0.271

Scope 3 CO2e emissions (tonnes, million)11 2.040 1.923 1.974 2.013

CO2e emissions that HAL controls (tonnes, million)12 0.337 0.327 0.316 0.305

CO2e emissions that HAL guides (tonnes, million)13 0.978 0.870 0.949 0.946

CO2e emissions that HAL influences (tonnes, million)14 1.062 1.053 1.025 1.067

Total CO2e emissions (tonnes, million) 2.377 2.250 2.290 2.318

Air quality

Air traffic movements15 with NOX emissions at CAEP/6 standard (%)16 42.8 44.9 43.3 43

Air traffic movements with NOX emissions at least CAEP/4 standard (%)16 88.7 88.5 89.6 90.5

Airline compliance to Auxiliary Power Unit (APU17 ) standard (%)18 78 89 91 78

Aircraft NOX emissions (tonnes)19 1,652 1,618 1,536 NA*

Aircraft PM10 emissions (tonnes)19 37 35.6 33.8 NA*

HAL vehicles20 NA 365 360 NA*

HAL vehicles powered by hybrid, electric or LPG 56 61 61 55

HAL vehicles powered by hybrid, electric or LPG (%) NA 17 17 18

Heathrow Sustainability Partnership21 members’ vehicles NA NA N/A 2,059

Heathrow Sustainability Partnership21 members’ vehicles powered by hybrid, electric or LPG

NA NA N/A 552

Heathrow Sustainability Partnership21 members’ vehicles powered by hybrid, electric or LPG (%)

NA NA N/A 26.8

Performance measure 2008 2009 2010 2011Noise

Chapter22 3-high aircraft (%) 0.11 0.09 0.05 0.05

Chapter23 4 aircraft (%) 98.5 99 99 96

Average CDA compliance per quarter (%)24 82.45 84.16 83.75 85

Annual quota count (2300-0700)25 NA NA 29,808 26,918

Departing aircraft on track (%)26 94.9 95.1 94.7 95

Infringements of Government day and night take off limits27 121 71 127 72

Noise complaints 5,238 4,283 4,172 4,735

Adherence to the arrival runway alternation pattern (0700-2300 local) (%)28

93.05 94.6 89.12 94.16

Noise Action Plan Actions on track (%)29 NA NA 90* 90

Waste

Waste produced (tonnes)30 29,502 26,489 24,906 26,220

Waste recycled31 or composted32 (%)30 44.3 40.6 38 29.22

Hazardous waste produced (tonnes)30 216 261 196 251

Hazardous waste recycled (%)30 65 70 78 80

Construction waste recycled33 65 90 96 98

Biodiversity

Retention of biodiversity benchmark certification34 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Average habitat assessment score35 NA NA 8.34 9

Average reed bed habitat assessment score36 NA NA 71.33 99

Water quality

Prosecutions for non-compliance to discharge consents37 0 0 1 0

Biological Monitoring Working Party Score - River Crane upstream/downstream of discharge point (Spring)38

54/61 NA 76/28 113/65

Biological Monitoring Working Party Score - Clockhouse Lane Pit inlet to lake/outlet from lake (Spring)39

48/40 NA 37/39 69/90

Water consumption

Total water used (all sources) (m3) NA 2,486,774 2,227,668 2,265,944

Potable mains water used (m3) 2,259,360 2,140,934 1,851,798 1,911,045

Harvested rainwater used (m3)40 NA 27,597 31,183 4,367

Borehole water used (m3)41 NA 318,243 344,687 350,532

Our peopleEmployment

Permanent employee turnover (%) 7.2 7.7 5.2 5.0

Internal promotions 728 416 67 N/A

External recruits 1, 259 53 182 466

Engaging our people

Active members in pension scheme 5,350 4,991 4,905 5,021

Ratio of male:female employees 60:40 61:39 61:39 61:39

Employees from non-white ethnic backgrounds (%) 40 40.4 37.6 38.8

Behaviours and capabilities

Employee training days 12,847 10,898 9,018 5,100

Employees receiving training (%) 81.9 78.6 73.6 75.0

17 APU data is collected manually across a sample of flights – and is therefore a representation. The percentage change from tightening running times for 2011 is compared to previous years

18 Operational procedures set limits for the use of APUs (on-board engines) when aircraft are on the ground. To reduce the need for APUs, 90% of aircraft stands are fitted with electricity connections and 20% provide pre-conditioned air

19 Available in Summer 2012, following completion of 2010 aircraft emissions inventory

20 Available in Summer 201221 Sixteen companies operating at Heathrow are members of the Heathrow

Sustainability Partnership. Further details at www.heathrowairthought.com22 The International Civil Aviation Organization sets progressively tighter

certifications for civil aircraft, with performance standards described as ‘Chapters’. With the broader Chapters we have sub-divided aircraft into Chapter 3 ‘high’ and ‘minus’ to reflect aircraft at the better and lower end of the Chapter 3 standard noise range. Aircraft manufactured since 2006 must meet the requirements of the Chapter 4 noise range. For Noise charging purposes we have also sub-divided the Chapter 4 aircraft into High,Base and Low categories. Due to an improvement in our data collection method, in 2011 we have been able to provide a more accurate breakdown of airport chapter. In 2010, the following figures were reported; 2009 - .09 2010 - .05

23 Due to an improvement in our data collection method, in 2011 we have been able to provide a more accurate breakdown of airport chapter. In 2010, the following figures were reported: 2008 - 98.5, 2009 - 99

24 By avoiding sustained periods of levelled flight at lower altitudes, Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) reduces noise disturbance. Figure relates to average CDA over a 24 hour period

25 As part of the night restrictions at Heathrow each aircraft type is given a points value for arrival and departure based on its internationally recognised, certificated noise value. The Quota Count (QC) ranges from 0.25 to 16. There are restrictions on the total number of points (and therefore noise) that can be used between 2330 and 0600 (this is not the case during the wider 2300-0700 period, although there are restrictions on the type of aircraft that can operate then). We will set a voluntary target reduction for the total amount of QC points during the 2300-0700 period in 2014

26 The Government sets noise preferential routes to limit aircraft flying over populated areas. Track-keeping monitors airlines compliance with these routes

27 The Government has set noise controls on night flights at Heathrow. Between 2330 and 0600, aircraft movements are limited to a specific number and noise level

28 Runway alternation provides communities with predictable periods of relief from aircraft noise

29 Heathrow’s Noise Action Plan was only formally adopted by the UK Government in May 2011, hence the figure for 2010 cannot be officially verified. The 2011 figure will be audited during 2012

30 Relates to HAL contract waste (approximately 1/4 of Heathrow’s total waste footprint)31 Any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products,

materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes

Performance measure 2008 2009 2010 2011Health & well-being

Absence rate (days per employee) 14.4 15.1 11.7 11.07

Safety

Category 3 accidents per 1,000,000 passengers 1.15 1.15 1.32 0.91

Reportable accidents per 100,000 employees 695 587 480 286

Employee lost time injuries per 100,000 hours worked 1.06 0.8 0.66 0.45

Construction: reportable accident frequency rate per 100,000 hours worked

0.16 0.12 0.08 0.16

Community investment & economic developmentBusiness support

Buyers attending Heathrow ‘meet the buyer’ events 61 67 81 93

Suppliers from 5 local boroughs attending Heathrow ‘meet the buyer’ events

139 133 167 156

Estimated value of business generated through Heathrow ‘meet the buyer’ events (£ million)42

7.5 7.7 16 N/A

Employability

Employed residents of 5 local boroughs working at Heathrow (%) 6.7 6.9 6.2 6

Heathrow employees living in 5 local boroughs NA NA 33,483 31,300

Heathrow employees living in 5 local boroughs (%) NA NA 46 43

Unemployed or economically inactive residents of 5 local boroughs accessing airport employment as a result of programmes supported by HAL

134 185 289 440

Students from schools and colleges within 5 local boroughs attending Heathrow Apprentice Fair

435 514 500 412

Exhibitors attending Heathrow Apprentice Fair 20 17 20 20

Education and skills

People completing NVQs managed by HAL 131 46 47 116

People completing apprenticeships managed or supported by HAL 127 186 84 108

Students from schools and colleges within 5 local boroughs participating in HAL education programme

1,899 3,918 4,785 5,100

Community investment

HAL employees volunteering in community projects at Heathrow43 146 57 NA NA

HAL voluntary investment in community projects (£ million)44 1.458 1.499 1.502 1,637

HAL voluntary investment in Local Business Support projects (£)45 N/A N/A N/A 177,120

HAL investment in community as a result of legal obligations (£ million)46

0.25 0.351 0.264 0.180

Third party funds (raised) at Heathrow (£ million)47 0.223 0.36 0.34 0.270

HAL community noise mitigation and compensation schemes (£ million)48

6.14 8.06 5.41 4.950

Total community investment (£ million) 8.071 10.27 7.516 7.140

Congestion

Passengers using public transport to and from Heathrow (%) 40.1 40.5 39.6 40.8

32 One waste stream was reported as recyclable in 2011 that should have been reported within the landfill category, therefore assumptions have been made on recyclable percentages for certain waste streams which will also be revisited in 2012

33 Does not include demolition or excavation waste34 Heathrow first achieved the biodiversity benchmark in 2003. The programme

was redesigned in 2006 with tighter requirements. Heathrow re-qualified for the Biodiversity Benchmark in 2008

35 Includes grassland, hedgerow, pond, river, standing water, wet-woodland, and woodland habitats. Excludes reed beds

36 Heathrow’s habitat assessments indicate the quality of habitats within our landholdings. We look for positive and negative indicators, for example protected ‘flagship’ species that are generally indicative of healthy habitats, and invasive species that threaten native flora and fauna. Our habitat assessment approach has been developed with our stakeholders; however the reedbed assessment uses a London-wide method. Our 2010 scores provide a baseline from which we aim to improve over the next five years

37 Heathrow Airport Limited was convicted of an offence relating to pollution that occurred in 2008 of a nearby watercourse. Surface water from the airport mixed with airfield de-icers entered a lake system in breach of a regulatory approval

38 The BMWP score relates to the pollution tolerance of an invertebrate assemblage and,therefore, the biological water quality of the relevant water body. This ascribes a score to a range of invertebrate families, depending on their tolerance to pollution. This can be related to water quality: a cummulative score >150 indicates very good quality, 101-150 good, 51-100 fair, 16-50 fair, 0-15 poor.

In 2009 no measure was taken as investment was allocated to the production of a 10 year biological monitoring report

39 Water used was for commissioning purposes only In 2011, readings for non potable sources for water were normalised based on available meter readings

40 Total use for both T5 boreholes. In 2011, readings for non potable sources for water were normalised based on available meter readings

41 Due to a change in our reporting system in 2011, this data will not be available until Summer 2012

42 Available in June 201243 Employee volunteering programme temporarily discontinued while under review44 Includes £1 million annual commitment to Hillingdon Community Trust and annual

contribution to Heathrow Community Fund45 2011 figure for community projects has been split by community projects and

business support projects. Business Support is focused on the 5 local boroughs and includes membership of chambers of commerce, sponsorship of events and Gateway Asia sponsorship

46 Relates to section 106 planning requirements47 Includes noise fines fund, passenger coin collections and employee charity of the year48 In 2011, an additional £28.7 million was invested through Property Market Bond

Support scheme, made available as part of third runway development

Performance against targets

2011 Target 2011 Performance 2012 Target

Climate change and energy

Reduce absolute site CO2 emissions from fixed assets by 1% compared to the 2010 outturn

Target achieved Absolute site CO2 emissions from fixed assets reduced by 3% (from 0.316 to 0.305)

Reduce absolute site CO2 emissions from fixed assets by 1% compared to the 2011 outturn

Air quality Meet 72% APU compliance against stricter APU running times by 31 December 2011

Target achieved 78% APU compliance

Achieve at least 90% of the actions in the Heathrow Air Quality Action Plan described as “on track” or “complete” by independent auditors for 2012

Noise To have at least 90% of the actions in the Heathrow Noise Action Plan described as “on track” or “complete” by independent auditors for 2011

Target partially achieved 90% of actions are on track or complete. 2011 actions are being independently verified in 2012

To have at least 90% of the actions in the Heathrow Noise Action Plan described as “on track or complete” by independent auditors for 2012

Waste Increase recycling of the general and landscaped waste handled by the airport waste contract to 50% by the end of 2011

Target not achieved Recycling rate 29.2%. Due to a change in Category 1 international catering waste regulations (regulated by DEFRA), resulted in a fall in total recycling rates within the HAL contract. This is a factor out of our direct control

Increase recycling of the general and landscaped waste handled by the airport waste contract (excluding Cat 1 International Catering Waste) to 44%

Water consumption

Set a long term mains water reduction and/or % water reused or recycled target for Heathrow, by 31 December 2011

Some progress made Metering coverage insufficient to model consumption and set an appropriate target

Develop and implement a water metering upgrade plan to improve leak detection and establish a long-term mains water reduction target

Water quality Deploy the de-icer recovery vehicles for 90% of operational time during winter operations

Target achieved De-icer recovery vehicles deployed for 90% of operational time during winter operations

Deploy a minimum of two de-icer recovery vehicles throughout the winter period (1 November to 31 March) during days with defined aircraft de-icing activity

Biodiversity Retain the Wildlife Trust Biodiversity Benchmark award in 2011

Target achieved Benchmark retained

Retain the Wildlife Trust Biodiversity Benchmark award in 2012

Congestion 40% of passengers to take public transport to the airport by 2012

Target achieved 40.8% of passengers taking public transport during 2011

Maintain 40% of passengers to take public transport to the airport by 2012

Safety 0.65 lost time injuries (per 100,000 hours worked)

Target achieved 0.45 lost time injuries (per 100,000 hours worked)

0.45 lost time injuries (per 100,000 hours worked)

Absence 11 days’ absence (per employee) Target not achieved 11.07 days’ absence (per employee)

7.5 days’ absence (per employee)

DNV Assurance Statement

Det Norske Veritas (DNV) carried out an independent verification of selected information presented in Heathrow Airport Limited (‘Heathrow’) 2011 Sustainability performance summary (‘the Report’).

The Management of Heathrow is responsible for all information provided in the Report as well as the processes for collecting, analysing and reporting that information. DNV’s responsibility regarding this verification is to Heathrow only, in accordance with the scope of work carried out. DNV disclaims any liability or responsibility to a third party for decisions, whether investment or otherwise, based on this Assurance Statement.

Scope

DNV’s scope of work included the verification of the accuracy and completeness of data presented in the Report in relation to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and targets listed below, for the calendar year 2011, and indicated by DNV’s logo in the Report. These were selected by Heathrow as part of a rolling programme for External Assurance, and DNV’s scope of work did not include the verification of the process undertaken by Heathrow to select the KPIs and targets to be reported on. KPIs and targets verified include:• Scope 1, Scope 2 & Scope 3 CO2e emissions;• CO2 emissions from energy use; • Total CO2e emissions;• CO2e emissions that HAL controls, guides,

and influences;• Air traffic movements with NOx emissions

at least CAEP/6 standard;• Airline compliance to Auxiliary Power Unit

(APU) Standard;• Adherence to the arrival runway

alternation pattern;• Waste recycled or composted;• People completing apprenticeships

managed or supported by HAL;• Voluntary investment in community

projects;• Absence target1;• Climate change and energy target;• Air quality target; and• Waste target.

Methodology

This verification was carried out between February and June 2012 by a multidisciplinary team of suitably qualified and experienced professionals, in accordance with the data verification requirements

of the DNV Protocol for Verification of Sustainability Reports2. In addition, for the verification of CO2e emissions, DNV verified Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions in accordance with the requirements of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Scheme (Issue 3: February 2011) and ISO14064-3: Specification with guidance for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas assertions, March 2006.

Methods used for data verification included detailed desktop review, sampling and testing of data, interviews with Heathrow personnel associated with the KPIs and targets verified, and reviews of relevant supporting information. Where errors or omissions were found, these were reported to Heathrow data/target owners, enabling data to be corrected or provided.

DNV states its independence and impartiality with regards to this assurance engagement. In 2011, DNV did not work with Heathrow or any of its stakeholders on any engagements which could compromise the independence or impartiality of our findings, conclusions or recommendations. Moreover, DNV was not involved in the preparation of any text or data provided in the Report, with the exception of this Assurance Statement.

Conclusions

• The report provides an appropriate representation of Heathrow’s performance against the KPIs and targets within the scope of this assurance engagement, in the 12-month period ending on 31 December 2011.

• During 2011 the number of manual samples for Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) usage increased to approximately 1,300 from 800 APU usage samples in 2010, which represents a notable improvement in data coverage; however this still represents a small sample of APU usage.

• No material errors were identified in the aggregation of waste data, however DNV was unable to verify underlying weighbridge data provided by the contractor for waste and recyclables. One waste stream which should have been classified as landfilled under DEFRA guidance was classified as recycled in 2011. Assumptions on the percentage of recycling achieved for various waste streams have also been made but are unsupported by evidence. Heathrow will address these issues in 2012.

• In previous years, business support investment had been reported within Voluntary investment in community projects. This KPI has now been revised to provide two categories of voluntary investment.

• The verified Scope 3 CO2e data has been calculated using a range of data inputs many of which are based on survey data. These surveys do not have confidence limits stated with respect to the accuracy of the data provided. Whilst the data used is representative and the best available, it is not possible to determine the uncertainty associated with the final reported total carbon dioxide.

Recommendations

DNV recommends that Heathrow:

• Continues to investigate methods to automate data collection for APU usage, to further increase the amount of data sampling and accuracy of data collected.

• Implements more rigorous internal auditing of waste/recycling data obtained from contractors to improve data reported.

• Reviews and improves passenger travel activity data as the calculated data are currently based on last mode of travel to the airport, multiplied by the distance from origin. An approach based on most significant mode of travel would be more appropriate and reduce data uncertainties.

• Considers using the DEFRA greenhouse gas reporting tool for passenger travel, thus improving comparability with other reporting organisations.

• Considers improving data collection of staff-related travel through measures such as increasing the number of local authority areas, as well as improving accuracy of reported mileage driven for work by staff.

Priti Nigam Lead Verifier

Jonathan Sykes Verifier

Ingebjorg Gravlien Quality and Technical Review

AssuranceHeathrow has a programme of external assurance covering the indicators included in the sustainability report. The programme captures different indicators each year, enabling independent review of a wide range of measures.

Det Norske Veritas, London, June 2012. DNV is a global independent provider of certification, assurance and advisory services, focusing on sustainability, climate change, environmental and health and safety issues across a range of sectors, including aviation.

1 Absenteeism data was not available for verification due to a change in the IT system used for reporting mid-year in 2011. This KPI was therefore removed from the scope of the external Assurance process.

2 For more information see www.dnv.com

Heathrow’s vision is to be ‘Europe’s hub of choice’.

Delivering this vision relies on Heathrow being managed sustainably. This means enhancing the airport’s social and economic benefits and reducing its negative environmental impacts.

Achieving the right balance between those impacts and aligning with the UK Government’s sustainable development principles will help Heathrow to earn the trust of its many stakeholders and to achieve its vision.

Our sustainability commitments are to:

1. Enhance the local, regional and national economic and social benefits of Heathrow.

2. Seek to prevent, reduce or offset Heathrow’s significant effects on the environment and local communities, and work with others to ensure that the airport plays its role in respecting environmental limits.

3. Provide good conditions of employment, respect diversity and equal opportunity, and provide a safe, healthy and secure airport for staff and passengers.

Where we do not directly control Heathrow’s impacts, we will work in partnership with stakeholders at and around Heathrow to improve performance, and we will work constructively to influence the development of appropriate Government policies.

We will ensure that our business strategies integrate the sustainability issues that are material to our business. We will define objectives and goals in consultation with our stakeholders and will deliver these through action plans and performance targets embedded within our business functions. We will measure and review progress against these targets and communicate performance transparently.

About this briefing

This document is part of a series of briefings which outline our approach to developing a sustainable Heathrow.

The series replaces the annual Corporate Responsibility Report we have previously published and is designed to provide an accessible, frequent insight into key sustainability issues.

In 2011, the series covered:

• 2010 Sustainability performance summary • Economy • Waste • Water

In 2010, the series covered:

• 2009 Sustainability performance summary • Climate change • Noise • Air quality • Education, employment and skills

Detailed information on the issues contained in these briefings as well as our wider sustainability programme is available at www.heathrowairport.com/sustainability

About BAA

UK airports BAA owns and runs Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow and Aberdeen airports.

Rail BAA owns and operates the public rail service Heathrow Express and jointly owns Heathrow Connect.

Information relating to BAA and the airports it owns is available at www.baa.com

Contact us

E-mail us about this briefing via heathrowsustainability@baa.com

Working towards a sustainable Heathrow

© Heathrow Airport Limited 2012

Heathrow plays an important role connecting London and the UK to the world.