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Carbon emissions and energy use
George Best Belfast City Airport recognises the contribution that aviation makes to climate change through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and takes its responsibility for reducing its GHG emissions seriously. GHG emissions typically result from aircraft movements in the air and on the ground; the operation of ground support vehicles; and energy use in the airport buildings.
Our Policy
GBBCA seeks to minimise its carbon footprint and operating costs through the efficient use of energy. Furthermore, GBBCA seeks to influence all business partners operating on-site to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
Objectives & Targets
Our objective is to minimise utilities cost and consumption. Over the period 2011-2012, GBBCA aims to:
• Complete the installtion of the Automatic Monitoring & Targeting System. This will help us to save energy by identifying energy wastage and ensuring the long-term effectiveness of other energy saving investment measures.
• Continue to implement a comprehensive energy reduction and awareness raising programme across the airport.
• Achieve a 10% reduction in energy consumption in 2011 compared with 2010.
Carbon and Energy Initiatives
• Renewable energy: since April 2011, GBBCA are being supplied 20% of its electricity from renewable sources.
• Energy Audits: audits are carried out on a regular basis to identify opportunities for energy reductions.
• Installation of Energy Saving Devices: GBBCA has made significant investments to install energy saving devices in the terminal such as energy efficient bulbs and motion sensors in the terminal lighting as well as a Building Energy Management System to control and monitor the heating and cooling of the terminal building.
• Energy Awareness Campaign: an ongoing energy awareness campaign for airport staff which involves the display of ‘switch it off’ posters and stickers and internal energy saving communications, for example, during Energy Saving Week 2010.
• Airport Carbon Management Group: GBBCA is a member of the Airport Carbon Management Group, a forum to allow for the benchmarking of energy performance of, and carbon emissions from, UK and International airports. Through ACMG, GBBCA can gather information, share ideas and examine case studies on energy and emission reduction projects from other airports.
• Climate Week: GBBC held a Climate Week mini challenge for staff on 21st March 2011 to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate support for Climate Week.
Our Performance
Total energy consumption for electricity and gas per passenger fell from 2.68 kWh in 2008 to 2.63 kWh in 2009 but increased again to 2.69 kWh in 2010. Exceptionally severe weather conditions and a growth in retail space could account for this increase. Similarly total CO2 equivalent from electricity and gas consumption increased marginally from 3232 tonnes in 2009 to 3431 tonnes in 2010 and CO2 equivalent per passenger increased from 1.24 kilos in 2009 to 1.26 kilos in 2010.