Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited, commonly known as Heathrow, is a leading player in the global aviation industry, headquartered in Great Britain. Established in 1946, Heathrow has evolved into one of the world's busiest international airports, serving millions of passengers annually and connecting them to over 180 destinations across six continents. Heathrow's core services include passenger and cargo handling, airport management, and retail operations, distinguished by its commitment to customer experience and operational efficiency. The airport has achieved notable milestones, including the expansion of Terminal 5, which has set new standards in airport design and functionality. With a strong market position, Heathrow consistently ranks among the top airports globally, recognised for its exceptional service quality and innovative sustainability initiatives. As a pivotal hub in the aviation sector, Heathrow continues to shape the future of air travel.
How does Heathrow's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Air Transport industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Heathrow's score of 33 is higher than 66% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2023, Heathrow's total carbon emissions reached approximately 18,774,300,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 32,116,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions of approximately 56,134,000 kg CO2e, and a significant Scope 3 contribution of around 18,742,184,000 kg CO2e. The Scope 3 emissions primarily stem from the use of sold products, which accounted for about 17,951,588,000 kg CO2e. Heathrow has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This long-term target encompasses all scopes of emissions. In the near term, the airport plans to reduce supply-chain carbon emissions by 36% by 2030 and achieve an 87% reduction in carbon emissions from airport vehicles and operations (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by the same year. The emissions data for Heathrow is cascaded from its parent organization, Heathrow Finance plc, reflecting a comprehensive approach to sustainability within the corporate family. The airport's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint aligns with industry standards and the global push towards sustainable aviation practices.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 29,216,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 
| Scope 2 | 15,680,000 | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 
| Scope 3 | 20,998,580,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 
Heathrow's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 26% last year and decreased by approximately 11% since 2017, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Use of Sold Products" being the largest emissions source at 96% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Heathrow has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
