PriDE manages Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s South East Regional Prime Contract (SE RPC). Valued at around £380m, the SE RPC is one of five regional prime contracts currently in place in the UK.

March 2012

RAF Northolt in official awards finalist!

The SE RPC had reason to celebrate this year’s Climate Week as RAF Northolt was shortlisted as a finalist in the official Awards, in the category for Best Initiative by a Public or Uniformed Service.

RAF Northolt has long been proactive in its approach to sustainable development, being one of only a few RAF stations to incorporate sustainability into its core business. Overall in 2011, RAF Northolt reduced its carbon emissions by 15% and saved over £200k.

Developed throughout 2011, the Station Sustainability Plan has brought about many environmental changes. The base has replaced its Aerodrome Ground Lighting, airfield signage, hangar lighting and road lights with low-energy LEDs. It also has solar and wind powered security gates. A green travel plan encourages car sharing, and bicycles are provided for travel around the station. Recycling rates have risen to 79% and 28 allotments have been provided to enable station personnel to grow their own food and teach the station youth club the importance of healthy eating and climate issues. RAF Northolt was also the first military airfield to use rhinophalt to resurface its runways, using 94% less CO2 emissions that normal runway resurfacing.

 

 

 

 

 

Many of these changes have come about from the Station Sustainability Forum, which is held monthly and attended by station personnel, DIO and PriDE staff. A team from the site, including PriDE’s Gareth Pryce attended the awards ceremony, which was held during Climate Week; they were delighted to have been a finalist and have the hard work and dedication recognised. Well done to the team!