Airport accused of publishing misleading emissions figures
07.12.08
Birmingham Airport has been accused of publishing misleading figures after claiming to have cut carbon dioxide emissions by almost a quarter, the Mail reports. The airport’s community and environment report praises ‘energy efficiency measures’ which have cut the carbon footprint by 8% since 2000 and by 24% per passenger flying from Birmingham over the period. But, when asked to clarify the claim, the airport admitted the figures related only to CO2 emissions in the terminals and airport buildings and did not take into account aircraft pollution.
A spokesman said the airport is concentrating on reducing carbon in buildings as the first stage of a climate change strategy. The possibility of encouraging airlines to cut emissions would be considered at a later date. However, the figures were criticised by Friends of the Earth and BANG, the Birmingham Airport Anti-noise Group, who accused the airport of attempting to create favourable publicity ahead of Solihull Council’s decision about a proposed runway extension on December 15.
Friends of the Earth West Midlands spokesman Chris Crean said it was misleading to publish figures that did not take into account carbon from planes, or from the trains and cars used by passengers travelling to the airport. He said: ‘It is good news that Birmingham Airport has made its buildings more energy efficient but it is aircraft movements that are by far the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. But by expressing the carbon reduction in terms of emissions per passenger, the airport risks giving the misleading impression that the cut has been achieved in emissions from planes.’
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