Heathrow has issued four SLBs tied to comprehensive emissions targets that span both ‘in the air’ (Scope 3) and ‘on the ground’ (Scopes 1, 2 & 3) categories, covering its full carbon footprint. Gatwick’s SLBs, in contrast, cover a much narrower slice of its emissions and are less ambitious.
In contrast, Gatwick’s targets exclude cruise emissions, which make up the bulk of airport-related carbon, and include an intensity-based measure, which may allow absolute emissions to rise. As such, its SLB structure offers a weaker signal to the market.
Both airports advance plans to expand capacity by building new runways, potentially altering future emissions profiles.
