Athens International Airport was upgraded to Level 3 of Airport Carbon Accreditation.
Having already been accredited at the “Mapping” (2009) and “Reduction” (2011) levels, Athens International Airport recently took a new, significant step toward addressing the challenge of climate change: Within the framework of Airport Carbon Accreditation, AIA was upgraded to Level 3 (Optimisation), a level also recently reached by the airports in London (Heathrow), Brussels and Paris (CDG and Orly). Athens International Airport also recently received the Eco-Innovation Award from ACI Europe in recognition of its innovative environmental programmes and initiatives – signifying an important acknowledgment of the Athens airport’s leading approach to environmental protection.
AIA earned the level of Optimisation by expanding its carbon footprint calculations to include indirect sources (e.g. emissions from aircraft during the Landing Take-Off cycle, emissions associated with how personnel and passengers access to the airport, emissions from ground support equipment, etc.) and engaging other stakeholders on the airport site in minimizing CO2 emissions.
18% reduction in direct carbon emissions
From 2005 to 2012 Athens International Airport has achieved an 18% reduction in carbon emissions from its activities (12,000 tonnes of CO2). AIA’s main emission reduction initiatives and other actions in the fight against climate change are the following:
- Reduction in electricity consumption by 9 million kilowatt-hours between 2005 and 2012 by implementing an energy-saving strategy and optimising the operation of its facilities
- Construction and operation of an 8.05MWp Photovoltaic Park, the largest unified PV installation at an airport worldwide
- Total reduction of carbon emissions equivalent to planting over 1.8 million trees
- Within the framework of its Building Management System, AIA has installed a measurement system recording energy consumption as well as energy-saving software aiming at the optimum operation of ventilation, cooling, heating, and lighting systems, and consequently the reduction of electricity and natural gas consumption. In addition, the operation of a special heat recovery installation in the Main Terminal Building has led to an annual reduction in the consumption of natural gas of 600,000 m3 since 2009
- Significant reduction in fuel consumption by AIA’s vehicle fleet through the conversion of 41 vehicles to run on LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and the replacement of older vehicles with new hybrid and low-emission models
- Planting and nature conservation programmes, such as the Vravrona Wetland Project (Natura 2000), including the clean-up of the wetland, the creation of paths and the implementation of environmental educational programmes in cooperation with the Hellenic Ornithological Society.
Aiming to further reduce its annual carbon emissions, AIA is planning to implement a range of additional measures to save energy and fuel, such as the modernization of equipment and the optimization of the operation of its energy systems.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
