Local Environmental Impacts

We know that our business has an impact on the environment and the communities around our airport. We work hard to reduce the environmental impacts that result directly from our operations and where these are outside our control, we exert our influence to bring about change. Finding answers to these challenges is a crucial part of our success.

Impacts such as noise and air quality impact local communities and we try to build good relations with the communities around our airport so that we can operate and grow our business through discussion and agreement. We listen to and consult with our local communities and our activities are influenced by their views.

The main local environmental impacts are noise, air quality, surface transport, energy, waste, water and land quality, water use, and biodiversity.

London Stansted ISO 50001 Certificate

London Stansted ISO 14001 Certificate

Noise

Aircraft noise – caused by take-offs and landings, taxiing and engine testing – is an important issue for communities living near London Stansted airport and under the flight paths.

We monitor aircraft noise levels and departure tracks and fine airlines that break noise limits and who persistently fly off-track. We also log, investigate and respond to noise-related public enquiries and complaints to help people understand the different factors that could impact aircraft noise. As part of our work, we liaise closely with airlines, air traffic controllers and local authorities to meet our objectives.

We aim to provide clear information regarding the management of aircraft noise at Stansted Airport, for people living around our airport.

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Air Quality

Aircraft and vehicles at and around our airport emit a number of pollutants, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles (PM10) which have an impact on health and the environment. However, our airport is not the only contributor to local air pollution – for example, air quality is also affected by M11 and A120 road traffic.

We work to tackle our own emissions and to help airlines and other companies do the same. We do this by:

• Improving air quality assessment at airports

• Influencing airlines to cut emissions from aircraft

• Reducing emissions from ground vehicles

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Key Local Environmental Impacts

Surface Transport

Reducing congestion around our airport and improving public transport links is crucial if we are to operate and grow our business sustainably. We actively encourage passengers and staff to use public transport and work hard to ensure we have good public transport links. Currently, we have over 50% of air passengers who use bus, coach or rail to travel to the Airport, which is the best of any UK airport and one of the best in Europe. For airport staff, we have around 37% travel to work by public transport which is growing year on year.  This is all achieved through the successful partnerships we have developed through the Stansted Area Transport Forum which comprises of MAG, Local Authorities, Transport operators and other transport-related stakeholders to ensure we deliver the airports Sustainable Development Plan which sets outs the airports 5-year transport strategy.

Energy

Improving energy management practices and reducing associated climate change emissions is a core business strategy at London Stansted. In 2018 MAG became the first airport group in the UK to become carbon neutral by reducing energy demand, using power from green sources and offsetting carbon emissions. We have now reviewed and updated our energy strategy with a clear focus on further reducing emissions by investing in energy reducing technology and improving airport wide awareness.  

Waste

Airports generate large amounts of waste, including a considerable proportion from companies involved in cargo handling, retail, flight catering and aircraft maintenance. Each year, we actively try to reduce waste where possible.

By adopting a more responsible approach, our aim is to lower the cost of airport waste management, recycle more waste and divert waste from landfill.

As most of the waste produced at our airport is generated by our customers and contractors, our greatest role is to work with these groups to encourage good waste management practices.

Water and Land Quality

As our airport covers large areas of land, it creates large amounts of runoff water which has to be effectively managed to comply with environmental standards before being discharged. We have an environmental management system that deals with the water and land quality in accordance with Government legislation.

We aim to protect the environment through a responsible and proactive approach to water quality management, and to comply with regulations now and in the future.

Water Use

Water is a valuable resource, one that needs to be used sparingly. As a infrastructure provider we use significant volumes of water in our operations and it is essential that we take a responsible approach to water consumption.

Our approach to water consumption first demands an understanding of how much is used and where. This is achieved by regular monitoring, targeting and leak detection. We've introduced water conservation practices within our existing buildings.

Biodiversity

Noise and air pollution resulting from everyday running of an airport can impact on local biodiversity. Airport construction can also cause loss of habitat for local plant and animal species. We work with local communities and organisations to conserve biodiversity on sites near our airport.

We're making the most use of existing land for airport developments and where possible not building on green spaces. Where there is no viable alternative, we work with those affected to mitigate and/or compensate for biodiversity impacts. We try to conserve biodiversity on-airport and on-site, with aircraft safety a priority and have developed biodiversity action plan.