Airport Growth through Stakeholder Theory   A Study on Heathrow 2.0 Sustainability Strategy Plan in Preparation for a Third Runway Expansion

Abstract: Stakeholder involvement plays a critical role in ensuring the success of projects. Projects in whichthe interests of all stakeholders are taken care of have high chances of being successful. The samecannot be said with the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport by the construction of a new thirdrunway. The implementation of the project has been hampered by litigations and protests byseveral stakeholders. To improve acceptance of the project by the public, the governmentintroduced the Heathrow 2.0 Sustainability Strategy Plan which was meant to assure the public ofgovernment commitment towards sustainable operations at Heathrow Airport (including the thirdrunway project). However, the efficacy of the strategy has been questioned by a number ofstakeholders especially climate change experts and the community around the airport. Thisresearch examines how Heathrow 2.0 Sustainability Strategy Plan addresses the mainenvironmental issues related to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) operation and the expansion ofthe third airport runway. The research focused on on-air quality, noise pollution, and land use inregards to its climate targets and climate justice framework. The research also examined public(stakeholder) opinions and feelings on the sustainability of the proposed project as well asoperation of the Heathrow Airport with reference to Heathrow 2.0 Sustainability Strategy Plan. Toaccomplish this objective, the research reviewed Heathrow 2.0 Sustainability Strategy Plandocument with aim of having an in-depth understanding of how it addresses the on-air quality,noise pollution, and land use. The research also obtained public opinion by interviewing climatechange experts, environmentalists and the local community about the efficacy of Heathrow 2.0Sustainability Strategy Plan and sustainability of proposed third runway project at HeathrowAirport. The research found that there was a lack of full public participation during the planningof the project as there was evidence that environmentalists and climate change experts wereignored. The research also found that even though Heathrow 2.0 Sustainability Strategy Planaddresses some of the issues raised by the environmentalist and climate change experts, thedocument does not clearly state how an increase in emissions as a result of increased aircraft trafficwill be handled. Additionally, the interests of the local community were not taken intoconsideration as increased pollution will worsen their already affected health. The researchproposes the following: full public participation, giving dialogue a chance, and relocation of thelocal community to safer areas.