Manchester becomes UK’s first carbon neutral airport

Manchester airport has become the first carbon neutral airport in the UK in the aftermath of a decade-long investment effort into energy efficiency and green technologies.

The more than £7.5 million (€8.6m) investment campaign saw the installation of more than 25,000 low energy LED lights throughout the airport, including the first on any UK runway, and saving the same amount of energy as used by 10,000 homes each year.

As a result, the airport has been awarded carbon neutral status (Level 3+), certified by the independent carbon management programme Airport Carbon Accreditation.

“As an organisation we recognise that climate change is an important global challenge. This achievement demonstrates the lengths we go to ensuring we balance our role as economic generator, alongside caring for the environment," Ken O'Toole, CEO at Manchester Airport commented.

Manchester airport has had a successful year in general, welcoming more than 25.6 million passengers throughout 2016, up by 11% from 2015.