Environment

The environmental policy contains targets and measures for the sub-sectors of air, waste, soil, energy, water, hazardous substances, noise, nature and landscape at the Schiphol site. The environmental policy provides the framework both for lower level plans and for the development of current and future business activities. Tasks, responsibilities, authorisations and work agreements aimed at managing environmental risks in airport operations are laid down in our environment management system. Under this system, the planning and control cycle is applied to the eight environmental compartments designated by the airport.

There is a global focus on the need to reduce carbon emissions. In 2004, the transport sector accounted for 13.1% of carbon emissions caused by human activity. The aviation sector was responsible for 2% of that in 2004, and its share has been growing by 3-4% annually (IPCC AR 4 2007). The airport is helping to reduce the greenhouse gas effect by reducing or being more efficient in its use of energy and fuels, and by using energy and fuels from sustainable sources.