• heathrow_17581988126223
    London Heathrow Airport
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    LHR-EGLL
    Country:
    United Kingdom
    CEO:
    John Holland-Kaye
    Passenger Count :
    19,392,178 (2021)
    Runways :
    09L/27R - 3,902m (12,802ft) | 09R/27L - 3,660m (12,008ft)
    Terminals:
    Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | Terminal 4 | Terminal 5

While collaboration across the entire value chain will be critical for aviation to reach its decarbonization targets, a little healthy competition between airlines and airports as to who can be the most (truthfully) green will only benefit the planet.

While sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) still accounts for only about 0.1% of global jet fuel consumption, production and uptake are both set to increase substantially over the next few years as incentives and mandates begin to come into play. The SAF market is predicted to grow from $219 million in 2021 to $15,7 billion by 2030.

LHR looking to lead

The UK is angling to become a leader in the sustainable fuel market. And currently, its busiest airport, London Heathrow, is the largest user of SAF out of any airport globally. Following the introduction of a SAF incentive earlier this year, 0.5% of the airport's fuel provision now consists of sustainable biofuels.

Heathrow says it will continue to scale up its incentive program to encourage more airlines to use lower-carbon fuels and continue to seek a UK mandate for 10% SAF by 2030. The UK government has pledged to invest £180 million (approximately $228.4 million) to develop SAF plants in the country. Just last month, British Airways took delivery of the first domestically-produced batch as part of a multi-year deal with Philips 66.

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Almost all of the airport's emissions can be considered Scope 3, with about 90% occurring as a result of aircraft traffic. Photo: Heathrow Airport

Influencing Scope 3

According to the airport's revised sustainability plan announced in February, it wants SAF to replace 90% of kerosene-based jet fuel by 2050. As an intermediate target, Heathrow is looking at 11% SAF use by 2030, contributing to carbon savings of 7.5%.

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A full 95% of the airport's total carbon footprint comes from the aircraft that frequent its runways. Most of the remaining 5% comes from “people getting to and from the airport on the ground, as well as our supply chain, airport vehicles and buildings.” As such, about 99.9% of the airport's emissions can be classified as Scope 3. However, it also acknowledges its capability to influence these emissions.

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The airport wants to replace 90% of kerosene-based fuel with SAF by 2050. Photo: Heathrow Airport

Partnering with Chooose for passenger SAF offsets

It is not only airline uptake of SAF that Heathrow is trying to incentivize. The airport also has a program in place where passengers can pay to offset emissions by purchasing SAF regardless of their airline or end destination.

The vountary platform is powered by climate technology company Chooose, and the SAF is provided by Sky NRG. Travelers can calculate their CO2 emissions and decide what percentage to offset using SAF. The remainder goes towards certified reforestation projects. Matt Gorman, Director of Carbon Strategy at Heathrow Airport, said at the time of the launch,

"We have a real sense of momentum behind reducing carbon emissions from flying – with airlines, airports, fuel companies, investors and governments all coming together to tackle the problem… the more people who talk about and use SAF, the faster we’ll be able to scale up production and cut carbon emissions from flying for good.”

Do you see Heathrow reaching its target of 11% SAF by 2030? Would you like to see more incentives from the UK government to help scale production? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.