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Heathrow looks to bat away pollution jibes with new low emission drive

Following confirmation earlier this year that the Government would be backing the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport, one of the core criticisms from detractors was the impact on air quality in the South East of yet more planes buzzing overhead at the UK’s busiest airport.

Now, Heathrow has moved to rebuff those taking aim at its sustainability record with a new sustainability strategy, dubbed Heathrow 2.0, and a string of measures aimed at reducing emissions and getting the public onside as it pushes forward with its expansion efforts.

Launched in tandem with the Mayor of London’s new transport strategy which has rather ambitious plans to turn London into a zero carbon city, Heathrow’s proposals center around public transport access and a new low emission car scheme for employees.

Under the plans, the airport has said it will look to incentivise its 6,000 employees to acquire a low emission car of their choice through manufacturer discounts and a salary sacrifice scheme.

To further its sustainable credentials, the airport has also announced that it has invited Imperial College London Professor Helen ApSimon to chair its new Air Quality Expert Review group, which it said would look to ensure that a third runway is delivered without comprising the UK’s air quality targets.

Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow Executive Expansion Director, commented: “The new mayoral transport strategy sets environmental challenges that we need to meet – and we will.

“By working in partnership with others, by investing in technological innovation and by being prepared to take the lead sometimes, we can expand Heathrow in the right way. This is not – and must not be – a choice between the economy and the environment.”

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