Centerlines - June 2008 - (Page 13)

POLICY CENTER Focusing on the Environment: Airports are Doing Their Part MUCH TO MY surprise, Earth Day came and went on April 22 with little fan fare or media coverage. There was even an opinion article by Hank Stuever of the Washington Post (What Killed Earth Day?), theorizing that the 38-year old event died “because, it turns out, saving the Earth is going to be very complicated. It is going to require attention spans, intelligence, sacrifice and lawyers and more than one day a year.” As the major “public face” of aviation, airports “get it” and have been particularly sensitive to the concerns of our local and global communities. a global, workable emissions management framework, environmental research and development, and a more proactive role in reducing infrastructure blockages that result in unnecessary carbon emissions. These are impressive goals, but before we can get there, we need to know where we are now. With this in mind, ACI-NA conducted the ﬁrst benchmarking survey of environmental initiatives and practices at North American airports earlier this year. Responses were received from 73 airports representing 60 percent of passenger trafﬁc in the United States and Canada. A portion of the survey results, showing impressive work in energy efﬁciency, water con- AS the major “public face” of aviation, airports “get it” and have been particularly sensitive to the concerns of our local and global communities. We understand that enhancing environmental management is not easy, but a commitment that takes time, hard work and resources. Despite the fact that it did not receive much press, there was an important announcement on April 22: more than 50 North American airports joined a worldwide coalition of airports, aircraft and engine manufacturers, airlines and air trafﬁc control organizations in signing a declaration on climate change, with the ultimate goal of “carbon-neutral growth” and a “carbon-free future.” Governments throughout the world were also encouraged to embrace servation, waste management, air quality, noise and “green purchasing” programs are shown below. Working with the ACI-NA Environmental Affairs Committee, led by Jessica Steinhilber and Stewart Dalzell/Massport, the results will be used to develop proactive goals and strategies to help airports respond to increased public and Congressional scrutiny of aviation environmental issues. Despite the ﬁ nancial difﬁ culties now being experienced by many airlines, we cannot only focus on the improvements we made in the past. Moving forward, we need to work together to show our continued leadership and commitment to minimizing aviation’s environmental footprint. DE B B Y MC E L R O Y E X E C U T I V E V I C E P R E S I DE N T, P OL I C Y A N D E X T E R N A L A F FA I R S A C I- N A GREEN BENCHMARKS • 32 airports conducted an air emissions inventory. • 15 airports conducted a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. • 17 airports established GHG/climate change goals. • 48 airports have installed or upgraded improved HVAC systems. • 59 airports utilize more efﬁcient lighting. • 48 airports have at least one loading bridge with 400 Hz power. • 38 airports have at least one loading bridge with preconditioned air. • 19 airports purchase renewable energy. • 53 airports have a waste management program (recycling/reuse/composting). • 33 airports have green purchasing programs. • 26 airports have consolidated rental car facilities. • 34 airports have infrastructure to support clean vehicles. • 9 airports are generating renewable energy. • 24 airports have an environmental management system. www.aci-na.org | CENTERLINES 13 http://www.aci-na.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Centerlines - June 2008

Centerlines - June 2008 Contents President’s Message Canadian Airports Associates’ Corner Guest Column On the Hill and On the Stump Policy Center Cover Story: Hotter Than Last July? Revenue Arena: Building Non-Aeronautical Revenue Environment: Wind Turbines at Boston Logan Passenger Focus: Des Moines Deals with the Iowa Caucuses Safety and Security: Inline Explosives Detection Systems Air Service Recruitment: Holding on to What You’ve Got On Management: Managing Capital Programs Now Underway Grand Opening Conference Previews and Reviews New Members Index of Advertisers/Advertiser.com Box Scores

Centerlines - June 2008

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