London Biggin Hill Airport has secured funding from HSBC Equipment Finance (UK) for the purchase of two hydro treated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel fire engines for its airport rescue and fire service.
The low carbon, low emission and fossil-free vehicles will produce 90% less carbon dioxide than diesel, reducing the airport’s carbon footprint by 111.35 tonnes of equivalent CO2 annually.
The new fire engines are also safer to use because of the reduced manual handling and quicker response time, according to the airport. In addition, they have faster pumps, which use an environmentally friendly fluorine-free foam concentrate.
Colin Hitchins, head of corporate social responsibility at London Biggin Hill Airport, said: “The new HVO fuel fire engines are just one of many initiatives that we’ve introduced to reduce our CO2 emissions. With the support of HSBC UK, we are on track to meet the Airports Carbon Accreditation by obtaining 100% of our energy from renewable sources by 2029.”
In February 2022, London Biggin Hill Airport received independent verification as part of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme in recognition of its work reducing environmental impact. As part of its ongoing commitment in this area, the airport is also introducing solar panels and has a green electricity energy tariff, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by 55%.
Image: London Biggin Hill Airport
