Carbon emissions and energy use
George Best Belfast City Airport recognises the contribution that aviation can make to climate change through carbon emissions and takes its responsibility for reducing its carbon emissions seriously. Carbon 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.
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.
Our objective is to minimise utilities cost and consumption. Over the period 2011-2012, we aim to:
• Complete the installation of an energy metering and monitoring system which 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: the Airport obtains 40% of its electricity from renewable sources.
• Energy Audits: audits are carried out on a regular basis to identify opportunities for energy reduction.
• Installation of Energy Saving Devices: we have 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: there is an ongoing energy awareness campaign for airport staff which involves the display of ‘switch it off’ posters and stickers and internal energy saving communications.
We held a
Climate Week mini challenge for staff on 21st March 2011 to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate support for Climate Week .
We have participated in the last number of years in
WWF’s Earth Hour . In 2012, we held a low carbon ‘Earth Hour’ themed lunch with specially made airport lanterns and food obtained from local sources.
George Best Belfast City Airport welcome sign switched off during Earth Hour
• Airport Carbon Management Group: we are 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, we can gather information, share ideas and examine case studies on energy and emission reduction projects from other airports.
While total energy consumption for electricity and gas fell by 2% in 2011, energy consumption per passenger increased from 2.69 kWh in 2010 to 3.02 kWh due to a fall in passenger numbers over the period.
Total tonnes of CO2 equivalent from electricity and gas consumption decreased marginally from 3,438 tonnes in 2010 to 3,360 tonnes in 2011.