ASIA-PACIFIC AIRPORTS MAGAZINE
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AIRPORT DESIGN
This will impact both the asset considerations as well as the aviation sector over the coming years, for example: • With the global expansion of Airport Carbon Accreditation, the transition to net zero-carbon is becoming a priority for more and more airports. We are already seeing tangible results from this, with many airports already achieving carbon neutrality (airport operations) in spite of increased passenger numbers and air traffic movements. • Integrated resource management (IRM) is becoming more commonly employed in airport design. IRM is a planning process that assembles all resource groups that typically work separately so that all available resources can be factored to enable the delivery of long-term sustainable outcomes. • Mobility in airports is changing. Large numbers of airports are in the process of replacing diesel-powered shuttle trains and buses with electric ones, also there is machine learning being introduced to the operations to drive down waste and create more optimal operations. • Biometric technology is becoming increasingly popular. Integrated in personal devices, check-in areas, security control and at the boarding gates, biometrics is streamlining the flow of people through airports while reducing environmental footprints.
GLOBAL FINANCE
Funds applying an ESG (environmental, social and governance) lens to investments have significantly increased over the last four years. Almost half of all professionally managed money in Australia is now classed as responsible investment (one trillion dollars) which means they factor in the ESG risk and opportunity as material value in investment decisions. They are also realising higher returns on ESG-led investing, meaning that it is likely to become more embedded. Effective consideration of more sustainable outcomes for new airport infrastructure will open up new financing opportunities for the capital investments required and will become material factors in future asset valuations.
FUTURE ASSET VALUE AND RISK
Sustainability takes a medium and long-term view to social, environmental and economic futures in seeking to understand opportunity and risk. It is increasingly being considered in line with future asset value (and significantly reduced impact on the environment) rather than the more traditional capital expenditure/operational expenditure (Capex/Opex) approach. www.aci-apa.com
