CDG and Orly airports move swiftly up the levels in ACI Europe’s Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme
ADP CEO Pierre Graf (right) receives ACA certificates from EC VP Siim Kallas (middle) and ACI Europe DG Olivier Jankovec (left) (photo: ADP)
Fri 10 Dec 2010 – The two major Paris airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, have received Level 2 certification under ACI Europe’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, less than six months after achieving Level 1 status. The certificates were presented by Siim Kallas, European Commission Vice-President in charge of transport, to Aéroports de Paris (ADP) CEO Pierre Graff. Under the second ‘reduction’ level, the airport operator provides evidence of effective carbon management procedures, including policy, goals, organization, monitoring and personnel training in the field. It must also show that footprint reduction targets have been achieved. ADP says it is has already initiated actions to move to Level 3 ‘optimization’ certification by extending the process to third party emissions at the airport.
Commenting on reaching the second level, ADP’s Graff said: “This certification rewards Aéroports de Paris’s proactive stance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2004, we produced 125,000 tonnes of CO2 to satisfy our energy needs. Today, our carbon emissions represent less than 100,000 tonnes.”
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe, who was also present at the ceremony, said: “With more than 80 million passengers a year, CDG and Orly are among the Top 10 airports in terms of European air traffic. Today they progress to a new level of Airport Carbon Accreditation – a result of their ongoing commitment to the challenge of climate change and a step closer to carbon neutral operations.
“Along with the latest accreditations of Zurich Airport and Prague Airport among others, this shows that Airport Carbon Accreditation continues to gain momentum, confirming the relevance and the robustness of the programme. European airports are setting an example as an industry that is working hard to genuinely reduce its CO2 emissions.”
Presenting the certificates, Siim Kallas commented: “In transport, sustainability is not an ‘optional extra’ – it has to come as standard. We can only succeed in tackling climate change if the actions of regulators are complemented by citizens and businesses taking action of their own. With over 559,000 tonnes of CO2 reduced so far, I believe that Airport Carbon Accreditation is playing a crucial role in helping move European aviation onto a more sustainable footing.”
In October, European rival London Heathrow achieved Level 3 certification (see story), the highest level before reaching carbon neutral status (Level 3+). Other major European hubs, Frankfurt and Amsterdam Schiphol are certified at Levels 2 and 1 respectively. The 28 airports in the programme currently account for around 34% of European passenger traffic.
To further reduce its carbon footprint, ADP has launched a programme to install renewable energy sources at the two airports, with the installation of the geothermal power station at Orly (see story) and a biomass boiler at CDG. The Orly facility, which was due start operating this month, will save up to 9,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually and should eventually account for 30% of the total thermal energy consumption of the airport, which is located above a 15,000-square-kilometre natural hot water reservoir. The hot water, naturally supplied at 74 degrees C, is distributed through a 35km network to the terminals.
When commissioned by around the end of 2012, the 14 MW biomass plant at CDG will produce enough heat to meet 25% of CDG’s annual production needs and save some 18,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
ADP is also planning to cut back power consumption in its existing buildings and build new ones to high energy performance standards, as well as acquiring electric vehicles. ADP has a goal of reducing by 30% the carbon emissions per km of its vehicles and light utility vans by 2012, and has undertaken to acquire 200 electric vehicles as part of a national scheme, comprising some 20 French companies, for the development of electric and hybrid vehicles.
ADP says it has undertaken to provide transparent communications regarding its environmental impact through promoting communication, dialogue and consultation. At each airport, a Maison de l’environnement (Environmental Resource Centre) is open to the public and offers visitors free access to terminals to consult subjects of interest to local communities such as airport environmental policy and sound-proofing.
