HKIA pledges to be world’s greenest airport
The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and 40 of its business partners today pledged to make Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) the world’s greenest airport.
Following a reported 10% reduction in carbon emissions in 2011, HKIA’s said it is on track to achieve a 25% cut in carbon by 2015, compared to 2008 levels. Green initiatives include the installation of LED lighting, improved chiller systems, introducing more energy-efficient vehicles and launching green educational programmes.
A ceremony to mark the pledge was hosted today by Dr Marvin Cheung Kin-tung, Chairman of the AAHK, and officiated by Eva Cheng, Secretary for Transport and Housing, together with Stanley Hui Hon-chung, Chief Executive Officer of AAHK.
“Environmental care is not only one of the airport community’s core values, but a principle we share in our daily operations and future development. Today’s pledge to become the world’s greenest airport marks a big step forward, putting HKIA at the forefront worldwide by providing a delightful airport experience and delivering exemplary environmental performance,” said Dr Cheung.
Officiating at the ceremony, Ms Cheng said; “The pledge made today showed AAHK’s determination in environmental conservation during operation and development of the airport. I believe that under the lead of AAHK and with the support of the airport community, the airport could become the world’s greenest airport with maximum environmental efficiency.”
In 2011 AAHK began a rolling three-year environmental plan, covering a range of targets and initiatives based around the ‘three Rs’ concept of reducing, reusing and recycling.
In the area of energy and emissions reduction, AAHK will complete the replacement of more than 100,000 light bulbs with LEDs by the end of 2014. In addition, all new saloon cars in the Airport Restricted Area (ARA) must be electric from mid-2013, and AAHK will also invest HK$40 million (US$5.2 million) to install more charging stations around the airport. In addition, the use of Auxiliary Power Units when parked at aircraft parking stands will be banned in 2014, after which time all aircraft will use Fixed Ground Power and Pre-conditioned Air systems except for special operational reasons.
AAHK will also enhance recyclables separation at the Airside Waste Station and work with tenants on the airport island to achieve its goal of separating and recycling all recyclables within 10 years.