38 GREEN PAGES Plug-ins making the running
The volume of plug-in electric vehicles (or PEVs) has grown significantly over the last year, with many automotive manufacturers adding new models to their fleets. Indeed, several car manufacturers are electrifying their fleets with innovative models. The PEV market is expected to grow swiftly, with a compound annual growth rate of 30% between 2012 and 2020 in the US alone. According to a recent consumer survey by Navigant Research, however, makers of PEVs have not been successful in changing several misperceptions about these vehicles in the marketplace. “A number of other negative
perceptions continue to persist, however, helping to explain why overall consumer interest in PEVs has declined since 2011. So-called range anxiety continues to be the number one reason cited by consumers who are not interested in purchasing PEVs,” says Dave Hurst, principal research analyst with Navigant Research. Among common misperceptions identified in the survey is the belief that PEVs are no more economical than conventionally-fuelled vehicles. When asked if PEVs are cheaper to own in the long run than petrol vehicles, 37% of respondents disagreed. Additionally, 37% believe PEV batteries are dangerous. Even those respondents who expressed interest in PEVs showed signs of concern, as more than one third believes that current PEV owners are often stranded as a result of their vehicles running out of power. The report, Electric Vehicle Consumer
Survey, details findings from a Web- based survey of 1,001 consumers in the US. The study assessed consumer demand, preferences, opinions and price sensitivity for PEVs and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The survey was conducted late in 2012, using a nationally representative and demographically balanced sample. Navigant Research conducted similar surveys in 2010 and 2011, and this latest version shows, when appropriate, year-over-year comparisons of data to identify trends.
(An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website).
Jewel in the (green) crown
Hong Kong International airport has received significant recognition for its environmental efforts. Airports Council International recently presented it with the Airport Carbon Accreditation Optimisation certificate, the second-
GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL JUNE 2013
highest level of accreditation in the programme, for its management and reduction of carbon emissions. Hong Kong thus becomes the first and only airport in the Asia Pacific to achieve this standard.
The airport also announced that,
according to preliminary and unaudited figures, the airport community has achieved a carbon intensity reduction of nearly 14% over the past two years. The result puts it on track to meet the goal it set in 2010, namely that of lowering the airport’s carbon intensity by 25% by 2015 compared to 2008 emission levels. The Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme was initially launched by ACI Europe in June 2009 and expanded to the Asia-Pacific in November 2011. Currently, it is the only institutionally endorsed carbon management certification standard for airports. At the ceremony Patti Chau, Regional
Director of ACI Asia Pacific, presented Dr Marvin Cheung Kin-tung, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong, with a certificate confirming the airport’s accomplishments under the programme. The ceremony was overseen by Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, Secretary for Transport and Housing, Dr Marvin Cheung and Stanley Hui Hon- chung, the Chief Executive Officer of AAHK. Representatives from three green groups, including Professor Stephen Wong, Chairman of Clean Air Network, Dr Man Chi-sum, Chief Executive Officer of Green Power and Adam Koo, Chief Executive Officer of WWF-Hong Kong, also attended the ceremony, together with more than 40 business partners. During the ceremony Dr Cheung extended his gratitude to the airport’s business partners for their joint efforts in reducing the carbon intensity of the airport’s day-to-day operations and development. “This accreditation is an important milestone as we pursue environmental excellence and a sustainable future. We hope that the experience we have gained to date will help Hong Kong continue to be a pioneer in environmental performance around the world.”
Since 2008 the airport has conducted carbon audits covering facilities on the airport island. In 2010 the airport community set a goal of lowering the station’s carbon intensity by 25% by 2015, compared to 2008 emission levels. In 2012 it took an even more significant step forward by pledging to operate the greenest airport in the world, the first commitment of its kind on a global scale. The airport community has completed more than 370 green measures in pursuit of these goals. In 2011 AAHK began an annual
review of the airport’s environmental performance, setting new targets under a rolling three-year plan that adheres to the Three Rs, namely Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. AAHK is currently conducting the city’s largest LED replacement project, which involves switching the airport’s traditional lighting in passenger terminal buildings with 100,000 LEDs by 2014. It is estimated this will save approximately 15m kilowatt hours of electricity and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 9,000 tonnes per year. The airport authority also possesses the largest fleet of electric saloon vehicles in Hong Kong.
The airport continues to devise and implement innovative programmes with its business partners. Other plans of note include banning the use of aircraft auxiliary power units when on parking stands (in 2014); having an all-electric saloon fleet in the Airport Restricted Area by 2017; installing over 150 charging points for electric vehicles and ground service equipment; and replacing 26 diesel vehicles with Euro V vehicles.
Cutting emissions in Indonesia
The International Civil Aviation Organisation has announced the formalisation of a new project with Indonesia, aimed at improving the management and reduction of its aviation carbon emissions. The large-scale Environmental
Measures Project will be undertaken between Indonesia’s Ministry of Transport and ICAO’s Technical Co- operation Bureau. It reflects Indonesia’s determination to meaningfully address the environmental performance of its air transport sector over the near and longer term, while additionally supporting recent Presidential Decrees on greenhouse gas emissions. “This new, large scale initiative by
ICAO’s Technical Co-operation Bureau serves to reinforce the wide-ranging series of concrete programmes and measures our Organisation has been pursuing to help our Member States mitigate their international aviation carbon emissions,” stressed ICAO Secretary General, Raymond Benjamin. ICAO-TCB will be working directly on the new project with Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The agreed objectives include a Master Plan for Indonesian legislative improvements on emissions, green flights and green airports operational programmes; a more efficient airspace design utilising performance-based navigation guidelines; advice on appropriate market-based measures as well as initiatives relating to alternative
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