SPECIAL REPORT: SUSTAINABILITY
This commitment ensures that facilities developed at HKIA
incorporate the best possible ‘green DNA’ and are well equipped for realising effi ciencies and savings over the lifecycle of the facilities.
Carbon management Debate on climate change has required that we understand and seek to manage airport carbon emissions. Our approach to this key evolving environmental challenge is a good example of proactive engagement with the entire airport community on a key environmental issue. Adoption of effi cient airport infrastructure and technologies has
ensured that key systems at HKIA are energy effi cient with knock-on benefi ts to the airport’s carbon footprint. However, in response to the growing expectation that businesses
should collectively tackle the climate change challenge, AAHK has moved to respond to the challenge in partnership with the airport community. AAHK is a signatory to the aviation industry’s joint declaration on
‘Commitment to Action on Climate Change’ (Geneva, 2008). At the local level, we supported the Hong Kong Government’s ‘Green Hong Kong – Carbon Audit initiative’. And, guidance provided by this local initiative aided our fi rst airport-wide carbon audit in 2007 – an important step in our understanding of HKIA’stec carbon emissions. Since this fi rst step, AAHK has formulated an in-house carbon
management strategy. In late 2009, we requested airport business partners, including cargo handlers, ramp operators, caterers, airlines and government departments to participate in an airport-wide carbon reduction effort. To help our business partners to take this important step, we
organised a series of carbon management workshops and developed a simple audit framework for them. Our partnering approach with the business community resulted
in 38 completed audits for 2008, covering 90% of airport buildings and vehicles.
44 AIRPORT WORLD/AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2010
The airport’s carbon footprint has been identifi ed and captured
in a centralised carbon database. The charts show ‘Sources of greenhouse gas emissions in HKIA for 2008’, and emissions by sector. In many cases, AAHK’s own certifi ed carbon auditors assisted, guided or
undertook audits for business partners. The audit process provides an educational opportunity and in the process AAHK continues to guide and advise different businesses on how best to improve effi ciency and reduce carbon emissions. Audits for 2009 are now underway and an airport community
carbon reduction pledge is under development that will tie in with the Hong Kong Government’s carbon reduction target as well as aligning with the aviation sector’s commitments on carbon neutral growth. Some additional energy and carbon reduction initiatives include:
• An upgrade to seawater chiller systems projected to save 2,800 tonnes of carbon emissions annually;
• A commitment to install over 81,000 LED lights in our terminals by 2013 to save over 7,200 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, with ongoing LED trialling in other indoor and outdoor areas.
Sustainability success story A successful airport is fundamental to Hong Kong’s sustainable growth. In operating a world-class airport of such importance to Hong Kong’s success as an international city, AAHK is committed to taking all steps possible to ensure that the environmental and community impacts of operating and developing HKIA are understood and well-managed. It is our commitment to continue to engage the entire airport
community in contributing to the sustainable development at HKIA. AW
About the author Martin Putnam is AAHK’s corporate environmental manager.
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