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Singapore Changi Airport aims to reduce consumption of electricity and use more of recycled water at its terminal buildings over the next three years, as part of its contribution towards environmental sustainability. As part of Changi Airport Group’s (CAG) plan to set up an Environmental Management
System based on ISO 14001 standards, CAG has established a set of targets to cut energy use and to increase the proportion of recycled water used at Changi. This was announced at the launch of CAG’s ‘Changi Goes Green’ environment roadshow on 8 November 2010, in conjunction with Clean and Green Singapore.
Conserving energy
Despite round the clock operations and increasing air traffic at Changi, CAG continues to put in conscious effort to conserve energy and increase its efficiency. Various initiatives have been implemented, including dimming lights at airport terminals by as much as 50% during off-peak hours, using natural lighting where possible, and installing motion sensors in areas such as toilets and offices to conserve electricity.
Currently, Changi Airport’s annual terminal building electricity consumption is about 450 million kWh. The established energy target sets the direction for CAG, as it continues to provide a first-class experience for its users in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner. The target will see Changi Airport reducing its terminal buildings’ electricity usage by about 13.5 million kWh, generating savings of about S$2.4 million over the next three years.
Recycling water
Currently, already less than half of Changi Airport’s water usage comes from potable sources. Recycled water from rainwater is used for irrigating plants at Changi Airport’s nursery and external landscape areas, while NEWater is used for airport fire-fighting, sanitation and cooling of air conditioning chillers. Other efforts to conserve water include the installation of tap flow regulators in all toilet taps in the airport, which limit water flow from six litres per minute to two litres per minute.
CAG will continue to explore means to increase the use of recycled water in its water resource management. The water target set will see Changi Airport increase the proportion of its recycled water usage from 55% to 58% over the next three years Beyond the energy and water targets, CAG aims to attain the BCA Green Mark Gold certification for Terminal 2 as well as the Singapore Environment Council’s Green Office Label for its corporate offices in 2011.
Planting of Changi tree
The Changi tree or Hopea Sangal, which used to be a landmark of what is now known as the Changi area, has set its roots in Changi Airport. The tree was thought to be extinct in Singapore until its re-discovery in September 2002 when a 150 year old specimen was felled illegally.
Through conservation efforts by National Parks and the Nature Society, saplings of the Changi tree can be found in the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Botanic Gardens and Changi Museum. To continue this conservation effort and in recognition of its heritage, CAG’s management and staff have planted saplings of the Changi tree in the airport grounds as part of the ‘Changi Goes Green’ programme. The trees will serve as a symbol of CAG’s commitment to environmental sustainability into the future.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
