Top green airports in the world
A green airport adheres to?the most current sustainability standards, lessens the environmental impact of airport operations, and reduces the effects of climate change on associated infrastructure and operations. Since more airports are embracing green, Green Airport has been in the headlines quite a bit. The worldwide aviation sector is responsible for 2% of all anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, based on?ATAG research.?
The aviation sector is under growing pressure to tidy up its game when it pertains to environmental issues, but fuel-emitting aircraft aren't the only offenders. Airport emissions and carbon footprint increase along with airport growth. Energy needs rise when more facilities, ground transportation vehicles, and terminals are created. As a result, numerous airports all over the world have adopted greener features into their designs and operational plans and are committed to supporting environmentally friendly activities, thereby becoming green airports.
Many airports have started to embrace "green" initiatives to make their structures greener and more environmentally friendly. These are 5 such airports that have achieved attention on a global scale for their environmentally friendly and sustainable projects.
Galapagos Ecological Airport, Galapagos Islands
It is the first entirely green airport in the world. Designed to run fully on solar and wind power, with windmills supplying 65% of the overall energy and photovoltaic walkway panels generating 35%, while 80% percent of the infrastructure is constructed using steel pipes salvaged from oil production sites. Furniture was manufactured with eco-friendly materials, and Seymour, the airport's former home, was utilized for its wood and metal framework. The airport also has a desalination facility, which collects seawater and cleans it for usage in the terminal. After treatment, the wastewater is fed back into the facility for later use by visitors.
领英推荐
Boston Logan International Airport, US
Boston Logan International Airport is home to the first flight terminal in the world to be accredited for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Heat-reflective pavement and roofing as well as water-saving low-flow bathroom fixtures are the highlights of Terminal A. To reduce carbon emissions by 2,000t over the course of the project, one of the airport's runways was resurfaced with ecologically friendly asphalt that could be heated at a lower temperature during construction. A set of 6-foot tall wind turbines that produce around 3% of the electricity needed for operations are mounted atop the airport's administrative buildings as well.
Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
The Changi Airport in Singapore is not only regarded as one of the finest in the world?but it is also known for being eco-friendly. The recently constructed Terminal 4 has a green wall with over 20,000 plant species, decreasing the temperature of the airport and improving air quality. It also contains skylights to improve natural light, air conditioners closer to the floor, and abundant vegetation. Other elements included at Changi include roof-mounted solar panels, water-efficient fixtures, and energy-efficient motion sensors and lights.
The bottom line
Encouraging green airports is extremely important given that airport management models must favor sustainability in terms of the economy, community, and environment. To lessen the impact of aviation on local air pollution, it should concentrate on implementing technology that enables the airport to be more sustainable and reduce GHG emissions. Examples of such practices include the generation of electricity with photovoltaic panels along with green roofs and walls, among other initiatives.