Aviation News Item: 01035

20th Aug 2009

Source: fly-corporate.com

Newquay Cornwall Airport is establishing a comprehensive carbon offsetting initiative, covering all terminal and airfield operations, through a partnership between Cornwall Council and the Eden Project.

The scheme will commence next year, five years ahead of the schedule outlined in the airport's Masterplan.

The airport, which already 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.

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.

Cain stated that: "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."

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