NATS scoops prize for sustainable transport

NATS, the UK air traffic management service, has been recognised for its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of aviation.

The National Transport Awards, held in London last night, saw NATS win the Contribution to Sustainable Transport category and overcome the likes of Jaguar Landrover and Network Rail.

In 2008, NATS became the first air traffic service provider in the world to introduce its own sustainability programme, recognising its responsibility to both improve the environmental impact of its own business, but also that of its airline and airport customers.

The programme – named Acting Responsibly – has focused on three key outputs: reducing the impact of aircraft within UK airspace, minimising the impact of NATS’ own facilities and infrastructure, and providing coordination of community investment activities.

By offering airlines more direct routes, smoother climbs and descents and through the introduction of new technologies, NATS has been able to reduce airline CO₂ emissions by 1.7 million tonnes a year. That represents not only a significant environmental benefit, but also a substantial airline fuel saving.

On accepting the award, James Deeley, NATS Deputy Head of Environment and Community Affairs, said: “It’s an honour to see the huge amount of work that’s gone on right across NATS be recognised. Our Acting Responsibly programme is a great example of how sustainability is not just the right thing to do ethically and for the environment, but also from a business perspective too.”

As well as carbon savings for its airline and airport customers, NATS has also reduced its own energy and water consumption in absolute terms by over 40%, while earlier this week it announced that NATS sites will be powered by over 90% of renewable electricity by April 2019.

Pictured: James Deeley, Deputy Head of Environment and Community Affairs, and Holly Edwards, Environment Manager, with NATS’ award.