Brussels Airport - Environmental Report 2016

E N V I R O N M E N TA L REPORT 2016 The plans

The activities

The results

BRUSSELS AIRPORT COMPANY

RESPONSIBLE EDITOR:

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

NATHALIE VAN IMPE

OR REMARKS:

BRUSSELS AIRPORT SATELLITE

WWW.BRUSSELSAIRPORT.BE

COMMENTS@BRUSSELSAIRPORT.BE

1930 ZAVENTEM

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E N V I R O N M E N TA L REPORT 2016 THE PLANS

THE ACTIVITIES

THE RESULTS

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

CONTENT

Sustainability is one of our key priorities.

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Introduction by Arnaud Feist

08 16 18 26 32 36 42 4

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One policy, eight domains Working together to reduce noise pollution The downward trend is set in the energy domain An air of change Every drop counts An important mobility hub

CONTENT

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

38 We manage our environment and energy policies on a systematic and structural basis.

Double interview with Christel Vandenhouten & Marleen Vandendriessche

52 48 52 56 60 62 64

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Less waste thanks to improved communication The airport is digging deep Green and diverse Environmental incident emergency plan Partners in the environment Many hands make light work

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BRUSSELS AIRPORT KEY FIGURES

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

BRUSSELS AIRPORT WITH NEARLY 23.5 MILLION PASSENGERS AND 489 303 TONS OF FREIGHT IN 2015, BRUSSELS AIRPORT IS ONE OF EUROPE’S MOST IMPORTANT AIRPORTS AND THE LARGEST ONE IN BELGIUM. THE AIRPORT IS HOME TO 260 COMPANIES, OPERATING IN A WIDE RANGE OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.

489 303 TONS OF FREIGHT

BRUSSELS AIRPORT

226

DESTINATIONS

23.5 M PASSENGERS

77

AIRLINES

260

COMPANIES

MOBILITY HUB BRUSSELS AIRPORT OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF OPTIONS FOR TRAVELLERS TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT AND BEYOND.

BRUSSELS AIRPORT AIMS TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, WITHIN A STABLE LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK. WE DO ALL WE CAN TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF OUR ACTIVITIES ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

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BRUSSELS AIRPORT KEY FIGURES

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

EVOLUTION

+ 8%

326 000

PASSENGERS

23 400 000 21 600 000

- 27%

2015

2000

239 000

FLIGHTS

ECONOMY

1.8%

€ 3.2 bn

60 000

+ 60%

THE AIRPORT PLAYS A KEY ROLE

EACH YEAR BRUSSELS AIRPORT

THE AIRPORT IS BELGIUM’S

THE USE OF LARGER AIRCRAFT

IN THE BELGIAN ECONOMY, CON-

GENERATES AN ADDED VALUE OF

SECOND MOST IMPORTANT

AND THE INCREASED SEAT LOAD

TRIBUTING 1.8% TO THE GROSS

3.2 BILLION EURO.

CENTRE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH,

FACTOR MAKE FLYING MORE AND

DOMESTIC PRODUCT.

PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 60 000

MORE EFFICIENT AND QUIETER.

JOBS, DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY.

THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS PER FLIGHT ROSE BY SIXTY PERCENT BETWEEN 2000 AND 2015.

EVERYTHING WE DO IS FOCUSED ON OUR CUSTOMERS. WHETHER IT IS A PASSENGER, A COMPANY, A SUPPLIER OR A PARTNER: BRUSSELS AIRPORT ALWAYS AIMS TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE.

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WHO IS ARNAUD FEIST? • CEO of Brussels Airport Company since 2010, formerly CFO from 2005 • Director and member of the Executive Committee (2011-), former chairman (2013-2015) of the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe • Member of the Board of Directors (2013-) and Treasurer (2016-) of ACI World • Degree in commercial engineering and Master’s degree in fiscal law (Solvay)

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“

Sustainability is one of our key priorities.

INTRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH Our airport and the entire community were hit hard by the recent attacks on 22 March.

These events and the victims will forever remain engrained in our memories. As an international airport, and the country’s second biggest growth pole, we must once again fulfil our economic role.

In 2015 the number of passengers using our airport grew by seven percent. Freight traffic also increased by 7.8 percent. We are pleased with these figures, also because they have been achieved in a sustainable manner.

Sustainability is one of our key values. We don’t just look at the present day, but also consider the future. And it’s not just about the airport, but also about the neighbourhood, the city and the country. Sustainability naturally includes taking care of the environment and managing our energy consumption. We do far more in these areas than simply complying with the relevant legislation.

Environment and energy are crucial aspects in operating an airport responsibly. They are an integral part of our company's management system in compliance with the internationally recognised ISO standards. This means that we are continuously evaluating and improving all environmental and energy aspects and that our environmental and energy policies are inspected periodically by independent auditors.

Looking after the environment and energy consumption also requires open discussion with the local communities and close cooperation with partners in, around and outside the airport. For example, in order to increase mobility around the airport, we work together with the NMBS/ SNCB, De Lijn and MIVB/STIB. We aim to reduce noise impact caused by our activities in cooperation with the relevant authorities and airport partners.

As an airport operator we by no means have control over all relevant factors. However, wherever possible, we are actively involved in the sustainable development of the area and our country.

In 2011 we set ourselves measurable objectives with regard to the environment and energy for the period up until 2015, and on this basis we developed an exhaustive environmental and energy programme. Today we are able to confirm that all the objectives in this ambitious programme, with just a few small exceptions, have been achieved. We have made progress in just about all domains, including areas such as noise, water, emission of polluting substances, mobility and biodiversity.

We have also made progress in terms of energy consumption. Our most recent achievement in this area is Connector, the new connecting building between the terminal and Piers A and B. This building has the largest remote screening security platform in Europe, provides spectacular views over the tarmac and is particularly efficient in its use of energy.

Connector is an impressive and large-scale project, however there are also lots of smaller efforts being made at our airport each day when it comes to the environment and energy. And together these small efforts all make a tremendous difference.

To achieve many of our environmental and energy objectives, it is essential that we collaborate with our partners. By this I not only mean airlines, baggage handlers and other airport-based companies, but also transport companies and local communities. So much more can be realised by working together than individually.

Brussels Airport has the will and the ambition to continue and intensify these partnerships in the years to come.

We will face the future with appropriate optimism.

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PROGRAMME

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PROGRAMME At Brussels Airport Company caring for the environment is an integral part of sustainable entrepreneurship and is actively supported by the management team. It extends beyond just meeting the strict environmental regulations and is firmly anchored within all the company’s divisions. Marleen Vandendriessche, Director Legal & Environmental Affairs, and Christel Vandenhouten, Head of Environment, lead the environmental team.

D O U B L E

I N T E R V I E W

“We are managing environmental and energy issues on a systematic and structural basis”.

How ambitious is Brussels Airport when it comes to the environment?

Christel Vandenhouten: “Ambitious, but realistic at the same time. Each year we try to further reduce the impact of our activities on the environment, by focussing on eight key priorities: noise, energy, air, water, mobility, waste, soil and biodiversity. In 2011 we quantified some challenging objectives for a number of these domains, and today we can say these have all been achieved, with the exception of a few points. Needless to say we are not finished yet”.

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Marleen Vandendriessche: “It is important that environ­ ment is an integral part of the way our company is run.

We use environment and energy management systems that comply with the international standards ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. This means that we follow an entire process, covering everything from policy statements to improvement actions. All company activities, projects and management decisions are assessed with regard to their impact on the environment, surroundings and use of energy. We not only proactively investigate all environmental risks, but also the opportunities in each new project that could improve our environmental performance. Environmental care and energy management play a prominent role. These are essential elements within our company and we approach them in a systematic and structural way”.

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“

Environment and energy are part of our long-term vision and our daily decision-making.

MOBILITEIT

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2015

WHO IS MARLEEN VANDENDRIESSCHE? • Director Legal & Environmental Affairs • Active at Brussels Airport Company since 2009 • Previously employed at General Motors and Alcatel • Studied law, followed by a Masters in corporate law

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PROGRAMME

In 2015 Vinçotte carried out a recertification audit of the environment and energy management system. What was the result?

presented to the management committee and shareholders, allowing them to make adjustments where necessary. Over the course of 2016 we will be developing a new policy programme that will include objectives up until 2020”.

Christel Vandenhouten: “We passed the audit with flying colours. The external auditors made a long list of positive points and confirmed that our environmental policy continues to improve. We immediately got to work on the auditor’s points for improvement and attention and developed a detailed action plan. We act on any feedback we are given, however small it may be”.

Who is involved in the environmental policy and programme?

So your work on the environment and energy management is never complete?

Marleen Vandendriessche: “Indeed, things can always be improved. That’s why we establish new environment and energy objectives every five years. Each year we set up actions for each of these objectives, which should lead to them being gradually achieved. These actions are included in a year programme which establishes who is in charge and defines the time frame within which the actions should be completed and the budget available. We use indicators to be able to track the results of all our activities. Every quarter these are

“

We are proactively investigating all risks to the environment, as well as considering the opportunities each new project has to offer.

MARLEEN VANDENDRIESSCHE

Director Legal & Environmental Affairs

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Marleen Vandendriessche: “Everyone! Our activities involve everybody. To start with, there are our own employees and the twenty thousand people working in other companies at the airport. There are also over 23 million passengers each year. Then there are the tens of thousands of people living near the airport.

These are all involved, each with their own specific needs. It’s our job to treat these carefully and balance them as best we can”.

How do you approach such things?

Christel Vandenhouten: “External and internal environmental communication is very important to us. By using a variety of channels we try to reach as wide an audience as possible, with information on our environmental and energy policy, our environmental and energy performance and the objectives that are still to be met. We exchange information on new projects or planned activities several times a year with the neighbouring municipalities of Zaventem, Steenokkerzeel, Machelen and Kortenberg. During these meetings there is also the opportunity to discuss complaints and come up with solutions. Four times a year the airport’s consultation committee gathers, with representatives from fourteen surrounding municipalities, the province, local residents, pressure groups, Belgocontrol and our company. During these meetings we provide information about our environmental policy. It goes without saying that we pay considerable attention to the issue of noise at the airport. We also have our neighbourhood magazine Connect that helps inform nearby residents on environmental initiatives at the airport”.

Marleen Vandendriessche: “Anyone can contact us with their questions or complaints concerning the environ-

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“

External and internal environmental communication is very important to us. We try to reach as wide an audience as we can using a variety of channels.

MOBILITEIT

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2015

WHO IS CHRISTEL VANDENHOUTEN? • Head of Environment • Active at Brussels Airport Company since 2005 • Previously employed at ESHER, Biffa and Deloitte • Studied biology, followed by a Masters in environmental sanitation

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PROGRAMME

ment. There is the website www.batc.be, for example.

This website provides information about air traffic to and from Brussels Airport for neighbouring residents, including information about runway use, flight paths and noise levels. For complaints concerning excessive noise, people can get in touch with the independent federal mediation service, who is responsible for this matter”.

known, we are more regularly contacted spontaneously, and we are involved in projects earlier on. The number of requests is growing, and we received suggestions for improvement without even having to ask. This is a positive change”.

To what extent are the other companies at the airport involved How do you increase environmental awareness within the company? in environment and energy management?

Christel Vandenhouten: “We do this by giving information, through dialogue and awareness campaigns. We employ a variety of channels to get our colleagues involved in the environmental policy. These range from the intranet and internal training courses to specific campaigns. In 2015 we evaluated and adapted all of our environmental communication. In this way we hope to be even more effective and visible in the future. Because the environment department is already better 14

Marleen Vandendriessche: “Collaboration with airport partners is essential for us and therefore also for our environmental and energy policy. We regularly bring the environmental coordinators from airport-based companies or those carrying out activities here together. We can then exchange information and experiences. When contracts are drafted, obligations with regard to the environment and energy are also included. Beyond this we also like to

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PROGRAMME

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION Two international standards apply specifically to the development of an environmental and energy policy: ISO 14001 and ISO 50001.

These aim to support our continuous efforts at performance improvement.

ISO 14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems. The system is used to develop an appropriate environmental policy and to guarantee its implementation.

This is based on the well-known PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act). ISO 50001 is a similar standard, but for

develop other activities. For example, every year we issue an Environment Award to those airlines or other partners that have excelled with regard to the environment. In 2015 the winner was Snecma. This company modified its building used for engine test runs. By improving their insulation they are now also able to carry out test runs at night, without disturbing local residents”.

What, in your opinion, are the most remarkable achievements over the last policy period 2011-2015?

Christel Vandenhouten: “I think this has to be our participation in the European Scheme for Airport Carbon Accreditation Scheme and our solar panel park. More recently there’s Connector. This building is a great example of how we can go beyond just the legal requirements. There are high levels of insulation: the building

energy management systems. This standard is specifically focused on reducing the consumption of energy, based on a detailed view of use and consumption.

Brussels Airport applies both standards within a single integrated system to analyse and track all environmental and energy effects.

achieves a K-value of just twenty, whereas the standard required by law is forty. Connector will also work with seasonal thermal energy storage in the future, a technique that is very innovative and that we have already researched very thoroughly. This is perfectly in line with our policy of employing the best techniques available if these are economically viable in the long term”.

“

We now receive suggestions for improvement without asking for them. This is a positive trend.

CHRISTEL VANDENHOUTEN

Head of Environment

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

EIGHT DOMAINS

ONE POLICY, EIGHT DOMAINS The airport’s environmental policy is based on a lucid vision and clear principles. These are essential, but it should not end there. What’s important is turning these good intentions and strong plans into tangible results on-site.

Environment is a broad and somewhat vague concept. In order to define our environmental policy more clearly we have divided it into eight domains. Together, they cover pretty much the entire environmental spectrum, but by splitting them up it is

possible to manage them in a more focused manner. Of course, there are clear connections between the domains. We see this, as such, in the activities we develop. For example, an initiative to reduce taxiing times benefits carbon emissions

and helps to reduce noise pollution. When dealing with these domains, we also see the same issues arising, such as the collaboration with our airport partners, the idea that “to measure is to know” and a dialogue with our neighbours.

NOISE

ENERGY

AIR EMISSIONS

WATER

Noise pollution has a significant impact on people’s quality of life and health.

This is why it is a clear priority for Brussels Airport Company to reduce noise pollution caused by airport activities. We have already taken a great many initiatives to reduce ground noise, but air noise, however, is beyond our control, which is why we are working together with airlines and the government in an effort to decrease it.

The airport’s energy policy is based on three pillars: cut our energy consumption, increase the share of renewable energy and use fossil fuels as efficiently as possible. Measurements show that the airport’s efforts in these three areas are yielding results.

Air quality and the energy policy are closely linked.

Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels leads to a decrease in emissions.

We take plenty of action ourselves and, as the airport operator, we do all we can to stimulate airlines to take their responsibility.

The airport’s water policy is rather similar to its energy policy. Here too the airport focuses on three goals: reducing tap water consumption, efficiently treating wastewater and controlling the drainage of rainwater.

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EIGHT DOMAINS

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

MOBILITY

WASTE

SOIL

BIODIVERSITY

An airport that is easy to reach is a blessing for the area and indeed the entire country. In order to remain accessible we need to ensure that more passengers and employees leave their cars at home and instead choose for more environmentally friendly public transport. We also want the airport to serve as a convenient mobility hub for local companies and residents.

The waste policy is heavily focused on collaboration with our airport partners.

We encourage our partners to be smart in sorting their waste by providing good information. We also set a good example, by providing collection points and special training. The aim is to reduce waste flows at the airport.

The airport is systematically tackling historic contamination on the airport grounds.

Of course, this is combined with measures to avoid new contaminations. The soil policy is also a good guidance tool for the sustainable use of the available land.

Brussels Airport aims to manage the vegetation in and around the airport at an optimal level. In managing the expanses of grass effectively there are many different types of flora and fungi.

Part of the woodland has been made available for children to play in and other areas provide a home to bees. Wherever possible, we involve local groups and residents. It goes without saying that Brussels Airport must always consider the relevant safety issues.

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Various investments in the infrastructure at Brussels Airport have contributed to a reduction in ground noise.

GERT GEENTJENS · Airport Noise Expert

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

Noise

WORKING TOGETHER TO REDUCE NOISE POLLUTION “The airport’s policy when it comes to noise has only one goal”, says Gert Geentjens, Airport Noise Expert, “and this is very clear: limit noise pollution as much as possible”.

The airport operator’s task and role vary for ground noise and air noise.

Ground noise is the result of all kinds of activities that take place on the airport grounds, such as engine test runs, taxiing and handling aircraft. “Reducing the noise of ground operations is the airport’s responsibility, and we can implement our own measures to limit such noise”, says Gert Geentjens.

“We are not, however, responsible for air noise - this being the noise made by aircraft during landing and taking off. Air noise falls under the responsibility of both the Federal Government and Belgocontrol, the company providing air traffic control over Belgium. As an airport operator we are naturally involved and want to actively cooperate in reducing air noise. We do so by mapping noise pollution, passing on this information and encouraging the use of quieter aircraft by charging lower landing and take-off fees”.

GROUND NOISE: TAKING ACTION ON OUR OWN SITE

WHO IS GERT GEENTJENS? — Gert Geentjens is Airport Noise Expert at Brussels Airport Company. He began his airport career in 2013. As a noise

“The impact of ground noise is far more limited than air noise”, stresses Gert Geentjens. “However, in our desire to be a good neighbour, we still implement many measures to reduce noise nuisance from ground operations. This sometimes means investing in our infrastructure, but often relatively simple measures can make a big difference. For example, after maintenance we only carry out engine test runs at full power at a location far from neighbouring homes.

This makes a big difference to the residents. Test runs for the Belgian Air Force’s C130 aircraft are now also carried out at that location”.

expert he analyses noise measurements and reports the results to a variety of stakeholders.

The noise barriers installed by the airport to protect the centre of Steenokkerzeel are an example of infra­structure investments. “The barriers reduce the noise nuisance made by 19

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

“

We now only allow engine test runs at full power at a location far from the neighbouring houses. This makes a big difference to the residents.

GERT GEENTJENS

Airport Noise Expert

NOISE

taxiing and waiting aircraft”, explains Gert Geentjens. Another similar measure is the reduction of taxi times. For this, Brussels Airport got involved in the project Collaborative Decision Making (CDM). “By working together with the airlines and operational partners, we were successful in reducing the average taxi time by three minutes. This has a significant impact on the total annual amount of noise produced. Not only that, shorter taxi times also help to limit fuel consumption, which in turn reduces emissions”.

Another investment is the installation of underground pipes to refuel the aircraft. “This means that you hardly see fuel tankers driving around the airport anymore”, says Gert Geentjens.

AIR NOISE: MEASURING FIRST, THEN TAKE FOCUSED ACTION FOR REDUCTION The impact of air noise generated by aircraft during landing and take-off is

Each airplane is given a noise certificate. In this way noisy aircraft can be banned from Brussels Airport.

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far greater than noise made on the ground. That’s why Brussels Airport is collaborating on a policy to reduce air noise as much as possible. “A targeted policy is impossible without a thorough knowledge and insight in the actual noise pollution”, comments Gert Geentjens. “The noise monitoring network that we have developed around the airport is very important”.

The starting point is gathering the information; the objective is the reduction of noise pollution. To achieve this goal Brussels Airport works together with authorities and airport partners. Gert Geentjens: “The impact of airport noise depends on many different factors. By no means do we influence all of these elements. Take the weather for example.

Wind direction, wind speeds and the temperature affect the air’s lift capacity and therefore also the speed at which an airplane will gain altitude. The choice of runway determines which areas will be overflown. However, this is up to the Minister of Transport and Belgocontrol to

NOISE

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

A sound barrier beside the municipality of Steenokkerzeel. With this investment in infrastructure, the airport is able to limit the noise from taxiing aircraft.

decide. Using the noise data that we collect and share, they are able to be more considerate of local residents when it comes to potential nuisance”.

Furthermore, Brussels Airport implements all of the measures imposed by the government with a view to reducing noise pollution. This means that the number of night slots is limited to 16 000 a year, with a maximum of 5 000 slots for departing aircraft. A slot is the authorisation to land or take off at the airport. Brussels Airport also respects the policy of “silent weekend nights”. On a Friday night, between 1am and 6am on Saturday morning, no slots may be allocated to departing aircraft.

On Saturday and Sunday nights the same applies between midnight and 6am. Furthermore the government also insists on a system of so-called quota count restrictions. “For each aircraft a noise quota restriction or quota count is

calculated for landing and take-off. This is calculated based on its noise certificate”, explains Gert Geentjens. “This allows us to ban noisy aircraft from Brussels Airport. The restrictions are most severe at night, but even in the morning, evening and sometimes during the day there are restrictions on the quantity of noise allowed”. In any case, old aircraft with engines that fail to meet the noise level standards are no longer allowed at the airport.

“

The restrictions in place using the Quota Count exclude the noisiest aircraft from using Brussels Airport.

GERT GEENTJENS

EVOLUTION OF NOISE IMPACT

Airport Noise Expert

The evolution of the impact of noise can be calculated by comparing the surface areas and the number of residents or the population that is potentially highly affected within noise contours (see “Measuring and comparing”).

The surface area within the Lden-noise contour of 55 dB increased by 5.5 percent in 2015 compared to 2014. On the 21

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

NOISE

A noise-monitoring terminal in Steenokkerzeel.

“

A targeted policy is impossible without a thorough knowledge and insight in the actual noise pollution.

GERT GEENTJENS

Airport Noise Expert

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other hand, the number of people potentially highly affected within this noise contour dropped by 5.8 percent, to around 14 000. This is the result of the noise contours moving away to less populated zones. Two factors are at the root of this. Firstly, by following a mor­atorium from the Federal Government we returned on 2 April 2015 to the departure routes for runways 25R and 25L that were in use before 6 February 2014. This meant that less aircraft were sent straight over the Brussels Capital Region and the only way to make a left turn was by using once again the short turn. This is clearly seen in the Lden-noise contour of 55 dB, which in 2015 covers less of the Brussels Capital Region and clearly shifts in an easterly direction for the left turn take-off route from runway 25R. A second element causing the

noise contours to shift is the closure of the runway 25L-07R due to major maintenance works from the end of May to mid-August 2015. This caused the number of landings on runway 25R to increase and there were more take-offs from runway 19. These effects are also clearly visible in the noise contours.

Between 2000 and 2015 the total surface area within the Lden-noise contour of 55 dB was halved. In the same period the number of people potentially highly affected within this noise contour decreased from almost 34 000 in 2000 to below 14 000 in 2015, representing a decrease of almost sixty percent. “This is mainly due to the reduction of the number of night movements and the trend towards a more modern and quieter fleet of aircraft”, states Gert Geentjens.

NOISE

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

MEASURING AND COMPARING Brussels Airport has already been involved in mapping out annual noise pollution in and around the airport using noise contours since 1996. Noise contours are lines connecting points with an identical average noise level. Based on the area contained within a contour, it is possible to calculate how many local residents are affected by noise nuisance. A distinction is made between daytime, evening and nighttime contours.

Lden CONTOURS

2000

Lden contour 55 dB

2014

Lden contour 55 dB

2015

Lden contour 55 dB

CONTOURS IN 2015 To calculate the contours of 2015 the airport asked for the help of the team of Dick Botteldooren, professor of acoustics at Ghent University. “We calculate the contours using a model that is based on a large amount of noise level data gathered at ground level for various types of airplanes and movements”, he explains. “We then add to this model details of all the flights that took place during the calendar year at Brussels Airport. We also include the radar tracks in our calculations. This method takes into consideration possible changes to the take-off and approach procedures, the actual runway use and changes to the aircraft fleet. This then provides a representative image of noise exposure to those living in the vicinity during the calendar year concerned”.

“When determining noise contours the measurements made in the field are less interesting. This

would require a very large number of monitoring terminals. This has another disadvantage, besides simply the cost. It would be impossible to ensure that all monitoring terminals were located in quiet areas, and if a monitoring terminal is too close to other sources of loud noise it becomes difficult to distinguish between aircraft noise and other noise, such as trains, trucks or industrial noise. In order to check if all data are accurately processed and the standard method used in calculating noise contours is representative for the Belgian situation, we compare our calculations with the measurements”.

LDEN EXPLAINED The Lden represents the average annual noise impact and takes into account the split of a 24-hour period into daytime (7am until 7pm), evening (7pm until 11pm) and nighttime (11pm until 7am).

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

NOISE

MEASURING AND INFORMING The airport already invested in the development of the noise-monitoring network back in the nineties. The network currently consists of 21 monitoring terminals located to suit the normal flight paths. “The monitoring terminals furthest away from the airport measure the noise of overflying traffic”, explains Gert Geentjens. “Monitoring terminals closer to the airport register both the noise of airplanes in the air and those on the ground”.

The locations of 17 of the 21 noise monitoring terminals.

AIRPORT NOISE & OPERATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Brussels Airport uses a noise measurement system: the Airport Noise and Operation Management System (ANOMS). “This system is very effective”, says Gert Geentjens. “It connects operational data and weather data to the data coming from the 21 noise monitoring terminals. This creates new opportunities. In this way, by connecting the noise data to flight data, we are able to check whether a particular airplane is responsible for producing excess noise. We can also see whether they deviate from the normal flight paths.

This is important information as it helps the federal ombudsman to check complaints from neighbouring residents”.

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BATC.BE AND THE “WEBTRAK” APP A large part of the information collected is available to the public. On the website www.batc.be, created by Brussels Airport in partnership with Belgocontrol, you can see the results from 17 of the 21 noise monitoring terminals. Using the WebTrak application those living in the vicinity can identify the distance between an aircraft and their homes. The website also shows on which runway aircraft are landing or taking off. “You can see the anticipated use of runways for the coming hours and we leave the data with regard to runway use online for a whole week”, explains Gert Geentjens.

“If a different runway is used to the one anticipated then we also explain why”.

NOISE

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

NOISE IN FIGURES

18 000 16 000 14 000 12 000 10 000 8 000 6 000

N I G H T S LOT S NUMBER OF SLOTS ALLOCATED TO LAND OR TAKE OFF AT NIGHT

4 000 2 000

DATA UNAVAILABLE*

0 2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

ARRIVALS

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2012

2013

2014

2015

DEPARTURES

40 000 35 000 30 000 25 000 20 000 15 000 10 000

NU M B ER OF P E O P L E POT EN T I A L LY HI GHLY AF F E C T E D

DATA UNAVAILABLE**

5 000 0 2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

* No monitoring data available at Belgian Slot Coordination. ** Calculated using another version of the INM calculation model.

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The solar energy that we inject in the airport’s distribution network represents roughly three percent of our total electricity consumption.

SVEN DECKX ¡ Project and Building Manager

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

Energy

THE DOWNWARD TREND HAS SET IN In 2012 Brussels Airport set itself the objective to reduce its energy consumption by twenty percent by the year 2020. We are not just on track, in fact, we will do better and exceed this ambitious objective.

Brussels Airport is an environmentally conscious airport and puts considerable efforts into reducing its energy consumption. “We consider it very important to limit our energy consumption as much as possible, both from a business-economic and an environmental perspective”, says Sven Deckx, Project and Building Manager.

2012 was a turning point in the airport’s energy policy. It was then that Brussels Airport became the first airport in the world to be certified according to the principles of the energy management system ISO 50001. “This certificate marked the start of a fine-tuning of our ambitions”, says Sven Deckx.

whilst also reducing CO2 emissions.

Trias Energetica is an approach based on three pillars. The first and most important pillar is to limit energy consumption. An example: when building the new Connector building the airport invested in good insulation and the optimal use of natural light. Increasing the share of renewable energy is the second principle. In this regard the airport already has two large solar panel parks. Thirdly, this approach encourages the most efficient use of fossil fuels. With this goal in mind the airport is investigating the feasibility of cogeneration.

WHO IS SVEN DECKX? —

came on board at Brussels Airport

TRIAS ENERGETICA: THREE PILLARS FOR IMPROVED ENERGY PERFORMANCE The airport operates according to the principles of Trias Energetica to continuously improve energy performance

REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Project and Building Manager Sven Deckx

Company in 2002. His responsibilities include managing energy and installations in the airport buildings.

Brussels Airport has set itself the objective of reducing its primary energy consumption (in GJprim/m²) by twenty percent by 2020. New buildings like Connector are always an opportunity for the latest technology to be applied. Connector was put into use in March 2015 and has become the 27

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

ENERGY

Thanks to its solar panels, Brussels Airport Company is able to produce around 2 900 MWh of renewable energy each year.

beating heart of the airport. It was designed around sustainable principles. Low energy consumption was at the top of the design priorities, without compromising the comfort of those using it. The result: a pleasant building, with large open spaces and plenty of natural daylight.

“With Connector we wanted to do better than the prescribed K-value of forty”, specifies Sven Deckx. The K-value stands for a building’s insulation value and is calculated based on the materials used, the size of the building and the amount of heat loss.

The lower the K-value, the better insulated you are, and therefore the more energy efficient a building is.

With its K-value of just twenty, Connector scores much better than the legal requirement. “To get to this great score, we invested heavily in insulating the roof and walls, and also installed windows with high per28

formance glass”, explains Sven Deckx.

“In Connector we wish to give passengers the widest possible view of airport activities. This is why we chose to work with large windows on the east and west façades”, explains Sven Deckx. An additional benefit: the large windows provide a maximum amount of natural light. The high performance glass also gives plenty of comfort when it comes to thermal and noise levels. The north-facing roof is a sawtooth roof with windows placed on the vertical sides. This creates a skylight measuring around 1 500 m², made with high performance glass. “This means that plenty of light can come in through the roof without it becoming too hot”, says Sven Deckx. Sun-screens placed at the west-facing windows and solar fins installed at the east-facing windows all prevent the sun from heating the building too quickly.

When renovating existing buildings,

Brussels Airport always looks into how insulation of the building envelope can be improved. Every time a ceiling is renewed, existing lighting is replaced with LED lamps. LED lights are also a great alternative for the runway lighting systems. The airport is following a multi-year scheme for the phased replacement of the existing lighting on runways and aprons with LED lights.

In 2015 more than 1 350 lamps were replaced on runway 25L. This makes it the first runway in Europe to be entirely fitted with LED lamps. The energy used every year for runway lighting amounts to around 400 MWh, equivalent to the annual consumption of 150 households.

“Our colleagues in the ICT department also make considerable efforts to reduce energy consumption”, continues Sven Deckx. “In 2013 we started a Green ICT strategy. One key activity was to virtualise the servers: physical

ENERGY

servers were partly replaced by software-based virtual servers. This allowed us to reduce the number of physical servers from 280 down to 72”.

The result is a considerable saving on energy, as less cooling is required and the amount of power required to run them is also much lower. Having fewer servers also means more space in the data centre. From now on, when buying new ICT equipment, Brussels Airport always opts for A-brands and for installations that require less cooling.

INCREASING THE SHARE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY Since September 2010 the electricity purchased by Brussels Airport has been exclusively green. At the same time the airport continues to invest in technology regarding renewable energy, to allow some of its electricity to be generated in-house. “Installing solar panels at an airport is not that easy”, says Sven Deckx. “Solar panels can affect the radar and other air traffic control systems. They can also cause problems by reflecting sunlight”.

In 2011 a large park of solar panels was installed on the roof of a freight building at Brucargo. Here, over 7 200 panels provide around 1 500 MWh each year. This is equivalent to the electricity consumption of around 450 households. At the end of 2013 a second solar panel park was opened. This park is located at ground level at the edge of the airport’s premises. Here a total of 5 760 additional solar panels covering an area of 1.7 hectares produce an average of 1 100 MWh. This is comparable to the annual electricity consumption of over 300 households. “This brings our total average annual production of solar energy to 2 900 MWh, equivalent to the consumption of 800 households”, says Sven Deckx. “The solar energy that we inject directly in the airport’s distribution network cur-

rently represents three percent of our total electricity consumption”.

Another innovation is seasonal thermal energy storage (STES). STES is a method used to store energy in the form of heat or cold in ground water.

“In the summer cold ground water is used to cool the building”, explains Sven Deckx. “After the ground water has become warmer during the summer, it can then be used to heat the buildings in wintertime”. The airport carried out a pilot project in 2013 and the results were encouraging. The technique is to be applied in Connector, the building connecting the terminal and Piers A and B. The works will begin in 2016.

EFFICIENT USE OF FOSSIL FUELS Fossil fuels are finite and CO2 emissions are created when they are burned. That’s why the third pillar in the Trias Energetica is to encourage a more efficient use of fossil fuels when their use is really necessary. In this regard the airport systematically invests

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

in high performance installations.

The fleet of service vehicles on the airport grounds is gradually being made more sustainable. Mid-2016 the first service vehicles to run on natural gas will be purchased. These emit ninety percent less particle matter than cars running on traditional fuel.

At the end of 2015 the decision was made to purchase thirty electric buses in 2016, to be used for transporting passengers. These will be put into action in early 2018 and will help to reduce CO2 by 600 tons per year.

The airport is also studying innovative techniques such as cogeneration.

Sven Deckx: “Cogeneration is not a sustainable energy source in itself, but allows electricity and heat to be created simultaneously, resulting in energy savings. An important requirement is that the heat and electricity are both used on-site. This makes it particularly suited to the built-up airport site”.

In 2012 the airport began its first research into a cogeneration unit.

COURSE ON ENERGY SAVING Brussels Airport has 793 employees. All these people also use energy at home and could quite possibly save a lot of energy there too. All those interested can learn how to do so during an energy saving training course.

They are given tips by a professional and use energy monitors to track down energy guzzlers in their homes. People who take the course also learn more about Brussels Airport’s energy objectives and efforts at the same time. The training was held for the first time in 2015 and was so successful it will be repeated in 2016.

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

The result was positive and more practical investigations were carried out into the concept during the winter of 2015-2016. A detailed technical and financial feasibility study should provide the necessary conclusions during 2016.

The first phase of the implementation is planned for 2016. “At the same time we also continue to check whether improvements can be made to traditional

ENERGY

installations”, stresses Sven Deckx.

“For example, this applies to the cooling and heating installations. Significant savings can be generated with some smart interventions”.

STRATEGIC ENERGY PLAN 2016-2030 Sustainable development of the airport is a top priority for Brussels Airport.

That’s why the development of an energy strategy was started mid-2015 for the period 2016-2030. This strategy was approved in March 2016.

The new energy strategy provides a framework for the needs of Brussels Airport and its airport partners in terms of the provision of cooling, heating and electricity in a sustainable, sufficient and adequate manner.

ENERGY BOOKKEEPING: TO MEASURE IS TO KNOW

Initiating targeted actions requires a good insight in the evolution in energy consumption. With that in mind, Brussels Airport has started its telemetric measurement network. “In total we are tracking 32 customers who use the heat generated in our two central heating installations”, explains Sven Deckx.

“We also have this kind of telemetric network for the electricity consumption. All consumption data is

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entered directly into our energy bookkeeping”. The results demonstrate that the airport’s total energy consumption has declined over recent years. “We also see that our energy consumption has no direct correlation with the increasing numbers of passengers”, says Sven Deckx. “Instead this depends mainly on the energy efficiency of the infrastructure and of course the weather”.

ENERGY

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

ENERGY IN FIGURES W HAT IS THE OBJ EC TI VE?

- 20

%

THE AIRPORT AIMS TO REDUCE ITS PRIMARY ENERGY CONSUMPTION PER SQUARE METRE BY TWENTY PERCENT BY 2020. THE BENCHMARK YEAR IS 2009. TODAY A REDUCTION OF 8.62% HAS ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED.

W HAT H AS ALREADY BEEN AC HI EVED? ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (IN GJprim/m²) 2011

1.49

2012

1.48

2013

THE DOWNWARD TREND IN ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION WAS

1.45

MAINTAINED IN 2015.

2014 1.50 2015 1.40

PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY (IN MWh) 2011 150 2012

1 712

2013

1 679

2014

2 897

2015

2 967

2 900 MWh THE ELECTRICITY PRODUCED BY THE AIRPORT’S SOLAR PANELS IS EQUIVALENT TO THE ELECTRICITY USED ANNUALLY BY 800 HOUSEHOLDS. = 3% OF OUR ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION

= 2 900 MWh

800

HOUSEHOLDS

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When it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, 2015 was the second-best year ever.

ELS HEYVAERT ¡ Environment Manager Energy & Emissions

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

Air emissions

AN AIR OF CHANGE Brussels Airport is managing to decrease the CO2 emissions from its combustion plants using a variety of small and large measures. The airport is also teaming up with its partners on other initiatives to limit the environmental impact of service vehicles and rolling stock.

START WITH YOURSELF

Brussels Airport systematically applies measures to improve the air quality in and around the airport.

These are carried out in accordance with the energy policy, as the two are inextricably linked. The airport’s main focus is to cut down CO2 emissions, with a clear objective to achieve a 20 percent reduction by 2020.

“When it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, 2015 was the secondbest year ever”, says Environment Manager Els Heyvaert, when looking at the results. “Why was 2014 better? Well, to start with, it was colder in 2015 than in 2014, meaning that more heating was required. Also our Connector building was not yet in use at that time”. However, she assures us that the airport will continue to take action to achieve further reductions in CO 2 emissions in the coming years.

WHO IS ELS HEYVAERT? — As Environment Manager Energy & Emissions Els Heyvaert defines

“Our strategy to limit air emissions is primarily focused on those aspects we can control ourselves”, explains Els Heyvaert. Brussels Airport currently uses sixteen combustion plants to heat the airport buildings. “The two largest heating plants are so big that they must conform to a number of regulations applying to emissions. These are continuously checked for any acidifying and ozone creating emissions, such as CO, NOX, SO2 and fine dust particles (PM10 and PM2.5). In 2015 Brussels Airport passed all the inspections with flying colours: all measured values for the above emission norms were significantly below the limits”.

the airport’s energy and emissions policy.

She also manages the Airport Carbon Accreditation Scheme.

COLLABORATION WITH AIRPORT PARTNERS

Els has been working for Brussels Airport Company since 2015.

In an airport there are many different stakeholders who can make a difference in improving air quality. “As an 33

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

airport operator we are well placed to bring these parties together and define a coordinated policy”, says Els Heyvaert. “We are working for example with our airport partners to reduce emissions caused by rolling stock and service vehicles”. This strategic partnership correlates with the European programme called Airport Carbon Accreditation, which Brussels Airport is part of. This programme specifically aims to reduce CO2 emissions in airports.

In one joint project, supported by the European Union, Brussels Airport teamed up with Belgocontrol and Brussels Airlines to look at Continuous

AIR EMISSIONS

Descent Operations (CDO) and investigate the benefits of a constant descent angle approach. In Brussels airspace aircraft tend to perform a stair-step landing approach. By descending at a constant angle it is possible to save fuel and thus have a positive impact on CO2 emissions. This is confirmed by the results of over 3 000 test flights.

As an example, with an Airbus 320 the CO2 emissions are reduced by 160 kilogrammes when the landing follows the CDO procedure. With an Airbus 330 this is even as much as 315 kilogrammes of CO2. This is equivalent to an average car journey of 2 000 km.

Ever since mid-2014 every pilot landing on the runways 25L/R and 19 has been

offered the use of this streamlined landing procedure, whenever air traffic conditions allow it.

Brussels Airport is also actively involved in the project Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) to cut down taxiing times. This joint venture between airline companies and operational partners has managed to reduce the average duration of an outgoing ground manoeuvre in the airport by over three minutes. This has led to a CO2 reduction of 18 000 tons per year. In 2010 Brussels Airport was the second European airport to be awarded the CDM airport accreditation.

EUROPEAN RECOGNITION The efforts made by the airport to reduce air emissions have received European recognition. In 2015 Brussels Airport was again successful in achieving level 3 of Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA). This scheme by the Airport Council International Europe (ACI), the professional association of airport operators, is an important management tool used by Brussels Airport for the improvement of air quality. It encourages airports to report on CO2 emissions in a unified manner, giving them a sound basis for the development of reduction initiatives.

ACA comprises at four different levels. The first level involves the creation of an externally audited carbon footprint covering the airport company’s own emissions. This covers emissions from the consumption of natural gas, heating fuel, fuel for service and company vehicles (scope 1) and purchased electricity (scope 2). At level 2 measures are developed to reduce these carbon emissions. At level 3 the airport outlines all its CO2 emissions (scope 3, according to the Greenhouse Gas protocol).

The airport then considers not only its own emissions but also those produced by its partners. This joint approach to developing measures for limiting CO2 emissions is essential at this level. The fourth and highest level is granted to those airports that have become entirely carbon neutral.

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The strategy to reduce CO2 emissions together with airport partners is reaping its rewards. In 2015 Brussels Airport Company once again achieved the level 3 certificate.

AIR EMISSIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

AIR EMISSIONS IN FIGURES W HAT IS THE OBJ ECTI VE?

- 40

BRUSSELS AIRPORT AIMED TO REDUCE ITS OWN CO2 EMISSIONS BY TWENTY PERCENT BY THE YEAR 2020, COMPARED TO 2010. IN 2014 EMISSIONS WERE ALREADY DOWN BY 27% MEANING THE OBJECTIVE HAD ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED,

%

FAR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. THIS IS WHY THE AIRPORT SET ITSELF A NEW TARGET: A REDUCTION OF 40% BY 2030, COMPARED TO THE BENCHMARK YEAR 2010.

W HAT H AS A LREADY BEEN ACHI EVED? CO2 EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM THE COMBUSTION OF GAS, FUEL OIL AND DIESEL (NOT NORMALISED)

EVOLUTION OF CO2 EMISSIONS FROM STATIONARY SOURCES (COMBUSTION OF GAS, FUEL OIL, DIESEL)

ACTUAL CO2 EMISSIONS (TONS) STANDARDISED CO2 EMISSIONS* (TONS)

CO2 EMISSIONS NATURAL GAS (TONS)

CO2 EMISSIONS FUEL (TONS)

CO2 EMISSIONS DIESEL EMERGENCY GENERATORS (TONS)

2011 2012 2013 2014

2010

2015 2015

25 000

20 000

15 000

10 000

5 000

0

2030

25 000

20 000

15 000

10 000

5 000

0

BY PURCHASING GREEN ELECTRICITY, NO CO2 EMISSIONS ARE GENERATED AS A RESULT OF OUR ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION.

* For the normalised CO2 emissions this is corrected on the basis of the external temperature (degree days correction).

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Being such heavy users of water we carry a lot of responsibility.

The main focus of our water policy is to be careful and economical with water.

LAURENS HERMANS · Head of Outside Infrastructure

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

Water

EVERY DROP COUNTS Water is vital to an airport: all the more reason to take good care of it.

The airport aims to strictly monitor its sources, its consumption and its quality.

“Water is essential at an airport”, says Laurens Hermans, Head of Outside Infrastructure. “It is used for sanitary facilities, cooling, humidification, de-icing aircraft and much more besides. As heavy users of water we carry a lot of responsibility. Looking after water and being economical is fundamental to our water policy. We invest heavily in water saving technology. And, where possible, we use rainwater or purified wastewater instead of mains water”.

REDUCE CONSUMPTION OF TAP WATER

mans. Another measure is to rinse the drum sieve at the water treatment installation with purified wastewater rather than tap water. This will save nearly one and a half million litres of tap water each year”, says Laurens Hermans.

SMART TREATMENT OF WATER

WHO IS LAURENS HERMANS? —

An example of our action to save water is the installation of urinals that operate without water. These will be installed in both existing public toilets and in the toilet blocks located in new buildings. “Thanks to this we will be able to decrease our annual consumption of tap water by 8.5 percent”, confirms Laurens Her-

Laurens Hermans heads up the department Outside Infrastructure.

Together with his team Laurens manages

Treating water responsibly also means purifying wastewater correctly and efficiently. The following water flows are treated in the airport’s own water treatment installation: wastewater from sanitary facilities in the airport buildings, wastewater from the aircraft toilets and, in wintertime, rainwater flowing from the areas where aircraft are de-iced.

the operation of the water treatment facility and controls the storm-water balancing tanks and the drainage system.

With such a significant difference in the composition of the airport’s water in the summer and winter months, the airport worked together with the company Trevi to develop a unique water 37

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

“

In order to prevent the municipalities that lie downstream of the airport having too much water to process, the rainwater is carried off to two balancing reservoirs along separate drains.

LAURENS HERMANS

Head of Outside Infrastructure

WATER

treatment concept. This installation measures the level of contamination in the rainwater, treating it only when the concentration of de-icing agents is too high. Rainwater containing very high levels of these agents is taken to a separate buffer tank and is used as a source of carbon in the summer, meaning that no extra chemicals need to be added in order to treat the wastewater. The buffer tank is also used for storing sludge.

Another aspect in the water policy is the separation of wastewater and rainwater. Believing that wastewater flows should be kept separate from run-off rainwater, the airport created a central platform dedicated to de-icing aircraft, which came into use in the winter of 2014-2015. The ecological advantage of this central platform is that the deicing water can be captured more easily. This water is then collected in two underground tanks and taken off to the water treatment installation by tanker.

Brussels Airport treats more than 420 000 m3 of wastewater each year.

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CONTROLLED DRAINAGE OF RAINWATER The premises at Brussels Airport cover an area of 1 245 hectares, around 725 hectares of which consist of paved surfaces and roofs. The massive amounts of rainwater that fall on these surfaces, cannot infiltrate and need to be drained off. In order to prevent the municipalities that lie downstream of the airport having too much water to process, the rainwater is carried off to two balancing reservoirs along separate drains. This water is then drained off into the receiving streams. This process is managed on the water levels in the streams. Hydrocarbon separators at the entrance to the balancing reservoirs prevent any oil or kerosene ending up in the reservoirs.

Allowing massive amounts of rain­water to run off could cause ground water levels to decrease. This is why the airport has created an infiltration basin at the car park in Korenberg. This is where rain-

WATER

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

The airport uses balancing reservoirs to drain off rainwater in a controlled manner.

Balls are placed in the balancing reservoirs to keep the birds out.

water can flow easily into the ground along ten vertical gravel shafts. In order to avoid any risk of contamination, rainwater first passes through a hydro­carbon separator and a sludge tank.

MONITORING THE CONSUMPTION AND QUALITY OF WATER Are the measures in place for water management effective? Which aspects require modification? If your policy and focused activities are to be effective then it is important to track your water consumption and sources very carefully. Laurens Hermans: “This is why some years ago we began monitoring and analysing our water consumption in the key buildings, the terminals, Piers A and B. We now do this on a monthly basis. Water consumption in the smaller buildings, such as offices and the fire station are followed up at least once a year”. By monitoring

we can identify trends or changes in consumption, that then need to be investigated more closely. When new buildings are planned the airport will start by analysing water consumption during a pre-study. This preventive approach will first be used in the construction of the new fire station, which will include more careful consideration of the use of the rainwater and rainwater infiltration. Construction is to begin in 2016.

Results from this monitoring demonstrate that the amount of water used per passenger is decreasing. However, due to the large number of passengers - an average of sixty-five thousand per day - and the many employees at the airport, the consumption of tap water still remains considerable. This water is used mainly for sanitary facilities, cooling and humidification, in the terminals, Piers and smaller build-

ings. “The fact that there are many users has the advantage that targeted action can also deliver considerable success”, says Laurens Hermans on a positive note.

In 2015 the airport also started a number of initiatives to monitor the quality of surface water. This led to oxygen meters being placed in the brooks downstream of the balancing reservoir at Brucargo and the northeasterly balancing reservoir. The aim was to check whether oxygen levels in the surface water collected were in line with environmental quality standards. Also, on two occasions in summer and in winter, samples of rainwater were taken in order to analyse the quality. This research is to be continued and extended in 2016.

Brussels Airport is now gathering data throughout the year, in order to gain a clearer picture of rainwater quality.

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

WATER

OPERATION TOILET WATER Valentin Voets, who has been working for Aviapartner for 26 years, explains how aircraft toilets are emptied in an environmentally friendly manner.

1

2

3

COLLECTION OF WATER FROM TOILETS

EMPTYING AND RINSING THE TANK

WATER TREATMENT PLANT

The operator drives up to the aircraft in a vehicle designed especially for collecting toilet water. “There we attach two pipes to the airplane a broad pipe to empty the plane and a thinner one to replenish the water for flushing on board.

A disinfectant is added to this water for flushing. It takes less than five minutes to empty the aircraft”, explains Valentin Voets.

As soon as the vehicle’s tank is full the operator drives to the technical installation. The vehicle is then driven over a large pit into which the content is emptied. The waste­water is taken to the water treatment installation along underground pipes. The vehicle is then given a rinse.

Then, on the other side of the building, solid matter is separated out from liquid matter. “Liquid matter is then taken to the water treatment plant along underground pipes”, explains Valentin Voets. “Solid matter, including paper and objects that have fallen into the toilet, are treated as waste and taken off for incineration with energy recovery”, says Valentin Voets.

“We handle up to thirty flights in one shift”.

VALENTIN VOETS • Operator Handling water & toiletservices

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WATER

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

WATER IN FIGURES TAP WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE PIERS AND THE TERMINAL

TREATED WASTEWATER

LITRES/PASSENGER

IN m³, WASTEWATER AND DE-ICING WATER

2011

13.4

2011

308 746

2012

12.3

2012

347 430

2013

12.0

2013

361 921

2014 10.6

2014

375 091

2015 11.4

2015

426 641

WA S TE WAT E R

CAPAC I T Y OF THE BALANC I NG RESERVOI RS

30 - 800 LITRES

150 000 m³

OF WASTEWATER

BRUCARGO

110 000 m³ NORTHEASTERLY

PER AIRPLANE

BALANCING RESERVOIR

BALANCING RESERVOIR

1 460 000 LITRES OF TAP WATER IS SAVED BY THE AIRPORT BY RINSING THE DRUM SIEVE AT ITS WATER TREATMENT INSTALLATION WITH PURIFIED WASTEWATER RATHER THAN TAP WATER.

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Since mid-2015 the number of people taking the train to and from the airport has increased more than the number of passengers.

ALAIN VANDENPLAS ¡ Mobility and Intermodality Manager

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

Mobility

A HUB OF OPPORTUNITY The airport is a gateway to the rest of the world. However, it is also an important hub for domestic mobility which Brussels Airport wishes to strenghten and improve the sustainability of.

“Nowhere else in our country do so many different traffic networks gather in such high concentration as in and around the airport. This is a great asset”, says Alain Vandenplas, Mobility and Intermodality Manager. “As a hub we make a considerable contribution to the economic power of both the region and the country. For many businesses their proximity to an airport and the large array of transport opportunities are reasons to locate here. These transport opportunities are also a bonus for local residents.

The many buses, trains and cycle paths around the airport provide smooth connections”.

plies to over eighty percent of all airport staff. Also, over half of the passengers choose to come by car.

When you think that the vast majority of these people need to use Brussels’ busy ring road it’s hardly surprising that this can cause traffic congestion.

Which is why reducing the number of cars is one of the key priorities in our mobility policy”.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY HAND IN HAND

WHO IS ALAIN VANDENPLAS? — The ambition for Brussels Airport to

“Having said that, the area is sometimes more of a hold-up than a hub”, admits Alain Vandenplas. “Every day 85 000 people commute to and from the airport: 65 000 passengers and 20 000 employees. Fortunately they don’t all arrive at the same time. However, many do come by car. This ap-

become a full-blown intermodal hub is in the expert hands of Alain Vandenplas, Mobility and Intermodality Manager at the airport. Alain began his career at

The airport aims to increase the share of public and shared transport used by its passengers and staff to forty percent by 2025. “This goal is not unrealistic”, says Alain Vandenplas. “Our colleagues in Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Charles De Gaulle in Paris have already managed to achieve this level”.

Brussels Airport Company in 2011.

There are good environmental reasons to reduce the number of cars, as these are a significant cause of carbon 43

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

dioxide emissions. But it also makes sense from an economic point of view, states Alain Vandenplas. “Good access to the airport is a must if we are to keep our country, the capital city and the region attractive. This means that we need many alternative methods of transport besides the car. This is the only way to make the airport a truly intermodal hub: a place where it is easy to switch from one form of transport to another”.

COLLABORATION PAYS OFF Brussels Airport can only achieve this goal by collaborating with others. Alain Vandenplas: “This primarily includes authorities and public transport companies, including De Lijn, the MIVB/STIB and the NMBS/SNCB. We make agreements on what is offered and involve them in our vision and strategy. We also set up partnerships with companies based in and around the airport”.

“

Reducing the share of cars is one of the most important objectives in the mobility policy.

ALAIN VANDENPLAS

Mobility and Intermodality Manager

44

MOBILITY

It is essential to update and extend the public transport infrastructure, according to Alain Vandenplas. “There have been some significant improvements over the last few years. The Diabolo project led to a fast train connection to Antwerp and Leuven. We see that this has had an effect. The number of passengers using this fast connection has grown strongly”.

Other investments needed in infrastructure to increase the number of direct connections are either planned, on-going or already up and running.

“These are to connect the airport directly with the heart of the European quarters in Brussels, separately from the oversaturated North-South connection. New train connections are also planned to the south of the country.

Indeed, you can already take a train directly to the south of the Netherlands!

So progress is being made, but there is still plenty to do”.

A MULTITUDE OF MEASURES It’s not just about an expensive infrastructure. “You can also convince people to use public transport instead of the car by adapting the service and improving the offer. An international airport like Brussels Airport is open around the clock, but public transport is not yet doing enough to take this into account. This means that those working in shifts are often obliged to come by car”.

“We are already very active”, says Alain Vandenplas. “For example, we began a pilot project around a mobility budget in 2014: employees agree to a limit on their petrol card in return for a train pass. In 2015 we started a pilot project on working from home. Some of the staff can do part of their work from home. This can help them achieve a better life-work balance.

Both initiatives reduce the number of

MOBILITY

trips made to the airport. We are also investing in making our fleet of vehicles more ecological”.

SELF-DRIVING SHUTTLE TO STOP FIRST AT BRUSSELS AIRPORT An initiative that really captures the imagination is the project involving a self-driving shuttle. In this project De Lijn and Brussels Airport are looking into how a shuttle with no driver can ferry people around the airport around the clock.

This electric shuttle is to serve the staff car park, remote car parks in the cargo zone and the companies based at the airport. The self-driving vehicle will also be able to take travellers to their public transport connection.

De Lijn aims to transport 400 travellers

per hour in either direction at an average speed of fifteen to twenty kilometres per hour. The shuttle will be able to operate both to a schedule and on demand.

Lots of investments are being made to ensure that this self-driving bus is safe. Sensors and cameras will determine the vehicle’s exact position and look out for obstacles on route.

A dispatching unit will support the vehicle and take action if required.

The various partners have reached a specific agreement on the pilot project. The next step is to look for an advisor in the field of safety and technology. The construction firm will be announced in the summer of 2016. The first bus should set (itself) off in 2018.

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

“

For many businesses the proximity to an airport and the large array of transport opportunities are reasons to locate here.

ALAIN VANDENPLAS

Mobility and Intermodality Manager

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ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

MOBILITY

MOBILITY ON THE MOVE There is lots of movement on the airport’s mobility board.

All means of transport are being considered.

TRAIN • Average of 200 trains per day • Since late 2014 connections with The Netherlands, Bruges, Kortrijk and Mons • More trains to Brussels • New ticket machines in the baggage reclaim hall

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CAR • Improved road markings for a smoother flow of traffic • More satellite car parks offering cheaper rates • Service vehicles running on natural gas and an onsite CNG fuel station • Charging points for electric cars on staff car parks P27 and P58 • Pilot project involving electric cars

BUS

BICYCLE

• Average of 1 000 buses to and from the airport each day • 7% of passengers and 5% of employees come to the airport by bus • Tender for 30 new electric buses to transport passengers on the tarmac, visitors on guided tours and personnel. These will reduce fine dust particles, CO2 and the odour of exhaust fumes.

• New bicycle connection, in collaboration with the province of Flemish-Brabant and the municipality of Zaventem. Construction is to start in 2017. The connection should be completed by early 2018.

• Bikes at the airport: some staff members are able to travel between the various buildings by bike • Investment in charging points for electric bikes and motorcycles

MOBILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

MOBILITY IN FIGURES DA ILY T R IPS TO AND F ROM THE AI RPORT

65 000 20 000 20 000

200

1 000

500

EMPLOYEES

TRAINS

BUSES

TRUCKS

TRAVELLERS

CARS

H OW DO PE O PLE C OME TO THE AI RPORT? BICYCLE / FOOT MOTORCYCLES BUS

SHUTTLE BUS

TRAIN

7%

1%

5%

1%

5% 10%

TAXI

16%

TRAVELLERS

53%

CAR

19%

EMPLOYEES 83% CAR

TRAIN

O B JE CT IV E 2025 THE AIRPORT AIMS TO INCREASE THE SHARE OF PASSENGERS AND EMPLOYEES COMING TO THE AIRPORT BY PUBLIC AND SHARED TRANSPORT TO FORTY PERCENT.

40

%

47

Passengers from other countries are not always familiar with the way we sort waste.

ANDRÉ COUCK ¡ Maintenance Manager

48

49

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

Waste LESS WASTE THANKS TO IMPROVED COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION Information, communication and collaboration: these three words nicely sum up the airport’s approach to waste. In addition, Brussels Airport rewards airport partners, who are smart at sorting waste, with a financial incentive.

Things that are done together are done better. This applies to the airport’s environmental and energy policies, and also to the way Brussels Airport approaches the management of waste. The objective is to improve selective waste collection year on year and to reduce the amount of waste per passenger. To achieve this goal the airport focuses heavily on collaboration with airport partners. The reason for this is simple: their share in the volume of waste literally outweighs the rest.

A GOOD EXAMPLE

just stop at our own employees. The training we offer on waste separation is also available to those working for our commercial partners. We also organise regular discussion meetings with our partners at the airport, and we communicate what is achieved with selective waste collection. In 2015 we organised an awareness campaign in the baggage sorting zones, together with those who work there.

These staff act as ambassadors and encourage their colleagues to join in with separating waste”.

WHO IS ANDRÉ COUCK?

FINANCIAL BENEFIT

—

“Of course, you have to start by setting a good example”, says André Couck, Maintenance Manager. “That’s why we organise workshops on smart waste separation for our staff. We also make it easy for our employees to turn theory into practice by providing various collection points in our office buildings. However, we don’t

André Couck is a long-serving employee at the airport with plenty of experience.

He began working there in 1979, and his responsibilities currently include maintenance work, looking after the green areas and implementing the waste policy.

Keeping people informed and good communication are essential steps in a policy that gives a financial incentive for waste prevention and smart separation. “Companies based at the airport are bound by their contract to adhere to Brussels Airport’s waste policy”, explains André Couck.

“This policy determines that waste 49

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

fractions shall be weighed and the costs of processing are passed on accordingly. In this way we encourage airport partners to sort waste, because residual waste is more expensive than other types of waste, such as paper, cardboard or PMD (plastic bottles, metal cans and drink cartons). It is to their financial advantage to adopt a smart waste policy, and we also help them to quickly take corrective action by providing a rapid and detailed report”.

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SELECTIVE PROCESSING The selective collection and sorting of waste requires the appropriate infrastructure. Airport-based companies are able to use a number of waste container parks in the terminals and at Brucargo for waste coming from technical installations and cargo traffic. There

WASTE

are also several smaller collection points at strategic locations: in office buildings, at the fire stations and the technical service department buildings.

NEW PICTOGRAMS FOR PASSENGERS It is not only the airport and its partners that play an important role in sorting waste, but also the visitors and passengers – over 23 million in 2015. “Using awareness campaigns we try to show passengers how important it is to sort waste properly”, says André Couck. “However, it is really challenging to encourage the right sort of behaviour in this regard.

Passengers from other countries are not always familiar with the way we sort waste. That’s why, together with OVAM and Fost Plus, we took another look at the design of the bins and the pictograms used on them”.

“

Information and awareness are both key in avoiding and sorting waste.

ANDRÉ COUCK

Maintenance Manager

WASTE TRANSFORMED INTO ENERGY HEAT

ORGANIC WASTE

ELECTRICITY

Brussels Airport is currently investigating the utility and feasibility of building an organic waste fermentation plant at the airport, in order to process the grass cuttings from the airport’s unpaved areas and collected kitchen waste. Fermentation is an organic process during which bacteria produce biogas from organic material in an anaerobic environment. In turn this biogas is converted into heat and electricity. The heat is partly used to maintain the temperature of the fermentation unit.

The rest can be used to heat buildings. The electricity could be used by the airport.

50

WASTE

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

WASTE IN FIGURES R E CYCLING OF RESI D UAL WASTE

24

OF NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE WAS RECYCLED. RESIDUAL WASTE WAS INCINERATED WITH ENERGY RECOVERY. BRUSSELS AIRPORT AIMS TO LIMIT THE RESIDUAL WASTE

%

TO UNDER 70% OF TOTAL NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE.

Q UA NT IT Y OF R E S I D UA L WA S T E (IN TONS)

PAPER AND CARD BOARD AT TH E TOP (2015)

2011

1 857

Paper and cardboard 394 tons

2012

2 001

Kitchen waste

145 tons

2013

1 838

Wood

112 tons

2014

2 023

PMD

84 tons

2015

2 259 THE AMOUNT OF WASTE HAS INCREASED IN ABSOLUTE FIGURES DUE TO THE LARGE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS. HOWEVER, THE RATIO OF WASTE PER PASSENGER HAS IMPROVED.

164

13

14

TON S

TONS

TONS

LIQUIDS AND GELS

OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

OF ANIMAL WASTE

POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED WASTE

UNOPENED LIQUIDS AND GELS THAT ARE CONFISCATED ARE GIVEN TO MORE THAN FORTY DIFFERENT CHARITIES. LIQUIDS AND GELS THAT ARE ALREADY OPEN ARE PROCESSED APPROPRIATELY.

THIS IS MAINLY WASTE OIL, ELECTRONIC WASTE, MERCURY VAPOUR LAMPS, DETERGENTS, OIL FILTERS AND PACKAGING USED FOR DANGEROUS PRODUCTS AND AEROSOLS.

THIS IS FOOD SEIZED AT CUSTOMS OR FOUND IN LUGGAGE

BY BAGGAGE HANDLERS. THE BIRD AND WILDLIFE CONTROL UNIT AT BRUSSELS AIRPORT ALSO REGULARLY HAS ANIMAL WASTE, PARTICULARLY BIRDS AND RABBITS.

IN 2015 LARGE AMOUNTS OF WASTE POTENTIALLY INFECTED WITH THE EBOLA VIRUS WERE SORTED AND DEALT WITH APPROPRIATELY.

51

Having healthy soil is important to our staff, airport visitors and neighbouring residents.

SARAH VAN DEN HEUVEL ¡ Environment Manager

52

53

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

Soil

THE AIRPORT IS DIGGING DEEP When it comes to soil the airport’s policy focuses on avoiding soil contamination and clearing up historic soil contamination step-by-step.

After all a healthy airport can only thrive on healthy foundations.

The air and flying through it seem to be what airports are generally associated with. However, this self-evident focus on the sky is no excuse for forgetting the soil, believes Sarah Van den Heuvel, Environment Manager: “Many of our activities take place at ground level.

Sometimes even way below ground.

Just think of the Diabolo railway tunnel which connects the airport directly with Antwerp and the European quarters”.

airport visitors and neighbouring residents”, says Sarah Van den Heuvel.

“Contamination can be a health risk, and we wish to avoid such risk”.

THE SOIL ALL MAPPED OUT

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT Lots of building work is carried out at the airport each year. Whenever earth is brought in, excavated or taken away, it is investigated by a recognised soil decontamination expert.

Newly supplied earth should be at least as good as the soil already present. And contaminated ground is taken away for processing. “Having healthy soil is important to our staff,

WHO IS SARAH VAN DEN HEUVEL? — Sarah Van den Heuvel has been working at Brussels Airport Company since 2008. As Environment Manager her responsibilities include soil management, environmental communication and waste management.

The airport grounds cover 1 245 hectares. Sarah Van den Heuvel: “That is a vast area and provides the opportunity for many different activities”.

The airport systematically maps out the quality of the soil in order to know what is possible and where there may be problems. This is why the quality of soil and ground water was investigated on all the plots of land sold to Brussels Airport Company by the Belgian State in 2001. “In total we carried out 898 exploratory soil investigations”, says Sarah Van den Heuvel. If any contamination was identified then a descriptive soil investigation was carried out. These results showed that four percent of the soil need decontamination.

53

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

Also, when the airport makes land or buildings available to an airport partner this is also accompanied by a soil investigation. “Even if we are not legally obliged to do so we still carry out preliminary soil investigation”, says Sarah Van den Heuvel. This research assesses the state of the soil at that moment and an inventory is included in the contract.

SOIL

“

Even if we are not legally obliged to do so we still carry out a preliminary soil investigation SARAH VAN DEN HEUVEL

Environment Manager Monitoring well for groundwater.

54

SOIL

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

SOIL IN FIGURES H OW CLE A N IS THE AI RPORT’S SOI L?

4.0 %

1.2% IS MILDLY CONTAMINATED, NO DECONTAMINATION IS REQUIRED

IS CONTAMINATED, FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED

THESE FIGURES ARE BASED ON 898 EXPLORATORY SOIL INVESTIGATIONS ON THE PLOTS OF LAND SOLD TO BRUSSELS AIRPORT COMPANY BY THE BELGIAN STATE IN 2001. AN EXPLORATORY SOIL SURVEY INVESTIGATES THE STATE OF THE SOIL. IF CONTAMINATION IS DETECTED, THEN THE SOIL DECONTAMINATION EXPERT LOOKS INTO WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND WHETHER IT NEEDS TO BE DECONTAMINATED. IN 2015 THE AIRPORT

94.8 %

CARRIED OUT SOIL DECONTAMINATION WORKS ON TWO OCCASIONS.

IS CLEAN

Q UA NT IT Y OF SOI L REMOVED

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

0

530

130 961

6 418

60 193

TON

TONS

TONS

TONS

TONS

THE AMOUNT OF SOIL REMOVED DEPENDS ON THE BUILDING PROJECTS THAT ARE UNDERWAY. IN 2013 THE LARGEST PROJECT WAS CONNECTOR, THE CONNECTING BUILDING BETWEEN THE TERMINAL AND PIERS A AND B. IN 2015 THE LARGEST PROJECT WAS THE RENOVATION OF RUNWAY 25L.

55

The open space is a nice area to relax in the region, both for those living nearby and for nature.

CAROLINE BOSSUYT ¡ Environment Manager EMS, Water & Biodiversity

56

57

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

Biodiversity

GREEN AND DIVERSE The airport is more than just a few runways and some airport buildings. A considerable percentage, in fact around 520 hectares, of the airport’s premises is undeveloped. The airport is surrounded by an immense area of grassland. Brussels Airport works together with the local community and nature associations with regard to access and the biodiversity in this area.

The area of grassland around the airport appears to be an interesting biotope. “In this expanse of open space nature is able to develop without being disturbed”, says Caroline Bossuyt, Environment Manager. “It is a surprisingly rich piece of land”.

the knowledge we are gaining on the biodiversity in the area, Natuurpunt will also give us tips with regard to its management, in order to protect this valuable area. Naturally, in doing so, airport safety will never be put at risk”.

COLLABORATION IS KEY

The local beekeeping society Bijenhouders Regio Kortenberg, has placed several beehives on the airport’s premises. Another fine example of collaboration is the creation of a woodland play area for local children and youth clubs. This new play area was developed as a result of collaboration between the province of Flemish Brabant, Brussels Airport, the Nature and Woodlands agency (Agentschap Natuur en Bos) and the municipality of Zaventem. Its official opening is planned in 2016. The woodland play area also features two bee hotels, to help the wild bees. There are also two bee hotels

Brussels Airport Company is working on upgrading its green areas using a number of different initiatives. What these all have in common is the collaboration and consultation with associations, local communities and other organisations. For example, the non-profit organisation Natuurpunt is currently investigating the biodiversity in the old grassland around the airport. Caroline Bossuyt: “These grasslands are neither fertilised nor ploughed. The style of land management had been more or less the same for some time. In addition to

WHO IS CAROLINE BOSSUYT? — Caroline Bossuyt is Environment Manager EMS, Water & Biodiversity. EMS stands for Environmental Management System and includes the follow-up and reporting of ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. Caroline, who has been working for Brussels Airport Company since 2014, is also in charge of water management and initiatives with regard to biodiversity on and around the airport terrain.

57

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

BIODIVERSITY

at the far end of the runway in Kortenberg.

ADVENTURE TRAIL IN DE GROENE VALLEI

LIGHT RECREATION IN THE WOODLAND PLAY AREA

As from this year children will also be able to play on and along an adventure trail in Kortenberg, in the nature reserve called De Groene Vallei. The path, whose creation was sponsored

by Brussels Airport, will be great fun for children from the age of two. The entire length of the path is filled with natural play elements, including a tunnel of willow branches, a balancing beam and stumps to climb. Certain areas are designed for learning more about nature. For example, some decking allows very small children to be able to investigate the water. The water in the pond is cordoned off with chestnut wire and secured with a little gate. Elsewhere natural materials, such as hedges, willows and walls of twigs were also used to cordon off certain areas.

Brussels Airport collaborates on initiatives like the woodland play area as we value good relations with the surrounding communities. The airport offered access to its land for the woodland play area, provided a bike rack and picnic benches, trimmed trees and bushes and created hiking paths, an area for dogs and a balancing trail.

“A win-win situation”, according to Caroline. “The local children get some extra space to play and it’s a pleasant spot for some light recreation. The woodland also helps us to solve a safety issue, as the area was attractive to birds of prey, which are a potential risk to air traffic. The woodland play area is a natural way of encouraging these birds to settle further away from the airport. So, you can see that the airport is very happy to have children playing nearby”.

BIRDS AND PLANES Birds and other animals that pose a risk to air traffic are, where possible,

kept at bay in the most compassionate way possible. This explains the pins that are erected on potential resting places. Birds of prey are captured and taken to the Bird Rescue Centre in Malderen. They then release them in Bruges. If the birds were released less than fifty kilometres from the airport, then they would just return.

Sometimes animals are hunted down.

This is a job for the eight members of the Bird and Wildlife Control Unit, who have all completed training in hunting and receive regular extra training.

The members go on patrol, make observations and take action when necessary. Brussels Airport reports these, and any other measures, to the Nature and Woodland Agency. The most common birds seen are crows, magpies, jackdaws, buzzards and the common kestrel. Stone martens are also being spotted more regularly.

These are captured, as well as feral cats. Next year a bird radar will be installed, in order to study all the birds around runway 25R. This will also allow their nocturnal habits to be recorded.

FUNGI AT THE AIRPORT Fungi are imperative to the ecosystem. This is why Natuurpunt carried out some research last year into grassland fungi on the verges of the ring road and at the woodland play area near the airport. 49 different species were identified, including indicator species in old sparse grasslands, such as the so-called Parrot toadstool (Gliophorus psittacinus). In 2016 further research will be done with a focus on these species.

The Salty mushroom (Agaricus bernardii), which is one of the few fungi to tolerate salt, was found in multiple places beside the ring road. Each time Natuurpunt found this very rare sample less than one metre away from the asphalt. Its presence is an indication of the considerable use of road salt.

58

BIODIVERSITY

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

BIODIVERSITY IN FIGURES G R E E N S PACE IN AND AROU ND THE AI RPORT

GRASSLAND AIRSIDE

413 ha

GRASSLAND LANDSIDE

102 ha

WOODLAND, SHRUBS AND CONIFERS (LANDSIDE)

WOODLAND PLAY AREA

10 ha

9 ha

B US Y B E E S AT THE AI RPORT

100 000 BEES

4

BEE HOTELS

14 BEEKEEPERS

100 000 WORKER BEES, 5 000 DRONE BEES AND TWO QUEEN BEES ARE HOUSED IN THE BEEHIVES AT THE AIRPORT. THE HIVES BELONG TO BRUSSELS AIRPORT BUT THE BEES COME FROM THE LOCAL BEEKEEPING SOCIETY BIJENHOUDERS REGIO KORTENBERG. WILD BEES ARE ALSO GIVEN SHELTER IN FOUR BEE HOTELS. FOURTEEN MEMBERS OF STAFF AT BRUSSELS AIRPORT ARE FOLLOWING A COURSE IN BEEKEEPING, GIVEN BY A CERTIFIED TEACHER IN BEEKEEPING, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE AIRPORT’S BEES IN THE LONG RUN. THEY WILL DEVELOP THE COLONY FURTHER ONCE THEY ARE SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH FLOWERS NEARBY TO SUSTAIN THE BEES.

59

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT EMERGENCY PLAN

ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT EMERGENCY PLAN C LEAR P RO C E D U RE S Brussels Airport wishes to be thoroughly prepared for any environmental incident. That is why all agreements regarding the reporting and treatment of incidents are laid out in procedures and a detailed environmental incident emergency plan. We conduct exercises of this plan twice a year, e.g. during a staged incident. There is also a regular inspection to see if all those involved in the environmental incident emergency plan can really be reached in case of an emergency.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT EMERGENCY PLAN?

01 R I SKS 02 PRE V ENT I ON 03 T R E A TME N T

0 1 MOS T IMPORTANT ENVI RONMENTAL RI SKS

CONTAMINATION OF SOIL OR SURFACE WATER BY FUEL OR OIL SPILLS

60

CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY ILLEGAL DUMPING

AIR POLLUTION CAUSED BY FIRE

SEWER CONTAMINATION DUE TO DRAINING FIRE-FIGHTING WASTEWATER

ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT EMERGENCY PLAN

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

0 2 W HO MANAG E S THE ENVI RONMENTAL RI SK S?

120

15

FIREM

AIRPORT INSPECTORS

EN

THE ENT ENVIRONM TEAM

AI RSI D E I NSPEC TI ON INCIDENT REP O RTS

R I SK PAT R OL PR OAC TIVE EN V I R O N M EN TA L IN S PE C TION S ONCE A WEEK THE ENVIRONMENT TEAM INSPECTS THE AIRPORT PREMISES AND BRUCARGO IN ORDER TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY ANY ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENTS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR GETS IN TOUCH WITH ANY COMPANIES FAILING TO STORE THEIR HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS CORRECTLY. ANY ILLEGAL DUMPING IS ALSO REPORTED, SO IT CAN BE REMOVED QUICKLY.

THE O INFRA UTSIDE TURE STRUCTEAM

AIRSIDE INSPECTION MAKES REPORTS OF ANY OIL AND FUEL SPILLS FOUND, WHETHER THESE ARE CAUSED

BY HUMAN OR MECHANICAL ERROR.

14

155

INCIDENT REPORTS

OIL OR FUEL SPILLS

0 3 I N I TI ATI VE S IN 2015 TO IMPROVE ENVI RONMENTAL I NTERVENTI ON S

EXTRA SEWER SEALING CUSHIONS

NEW CLEANING METHODS

INSTALLATION OF AN OIL SPILL CURTAIN

ADDITIONAL MOBILE SEWER SEALING CUSHIONS HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED IN ORDER TO SEAL OFF THE SEWER SYSTEM IN THE SMALLEST POSSIBLE PERIMETER AROUND THE ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENT.

NEW METHODS WERE TESTED TO REMOVE OIL AND FUEL SPILLS FROM THE TARMAC. A CHOICE WILL BE MADE IN 2016, DEPENDING ON THEIR EFFICIENCY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

THE OIL SPILL CURTAIN PREVENTS OIL FROM ENTERING THE CANAL AND BALANCING RESERVOIRS CONTAINING RAINWATER IN THE EVENT OF A LARGE SPILL OR DURING HEAVY RAIN.

61

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

PARTNERS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

PARTNERS IN THE ENVIRONMENT Brussels Airport is not alone in taking care of the environment. At the airport no less than 260 different companies are involved. These airport partners all contribute to improving the environment and we would like to highlight some of their remarkable achievements.

DELTA Over the last year Delta Airlines made further progress in saving fuel. The company also made efforts in reducing their flow of waste through recycling, waste separation and upcycling.

BRUSSELS AIRLINES JETAIRFLY Jetairfly is the airline with the lowest ecological footprint per passenger in Belgium. This has helped them achieve ISOÂ 14001 certification in 2015, after a thorough inspection by an independent agency. In Belgium Jetairfly is the only passenger airline to have been awarded this certificate.

AVIAPARTNER In 2015 Aviapartner organised a customer satisfaction survey. For each completed survey a tree was planted.

This led to 163 trees being planted at the Jocotoco Reserve in Ecuador. This partner also extinguished its lights for an hour, as part of Earth Hour. Furthermore, Aviapartner has selected a new, sustainable supplier for their office equipment.

62

Around fifteen percent of all landings at Brussels Airport in 2015 were Continuous Descent Operations (CDO): in this case, rather than using the normal stair-step approach during landing, aircraft land while making a constant descent angle approach. In this way the airline was able to save 231 tons of fuel, an improvement of 54 percent compared to 2014. Furthermore, in the first two months of 2015, there were as many CDOs as in all of 2013. CDOs are just one of a whole range of fuel-saving measures. Brussels Airlines works on the principle that, in time, lots of small things all add up to make a big difference.

PARTNERS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

DHL EMIRATES In 2015 Emirates did not just dump its old airplane seats on a rubbish dump. Instead they were given a new lease of life in the simulator machines used for staff training. Emirates also recycled a gigantic, plastic advertising banner measuring 200 m2, by converting it into 300 shopping bags. Meanwhile the airline company continues to offer financial support to the protected nature reserve “Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve”.

In June the courier company DHL organised a staff activity to increase awareness regarding waste. DHL employees from the Fantastic Plastic team spent an entire afternoon collecting rubbish on the tarmac.

TCR TCR supplies material used in ramp handling.

The company has developed a tool that calculates the carbon footprint of all types of GSE (Ground Support Equipment). In this way TCR’s customers can consider the impact on the environment when choosing their equipment.

INTERPARKING AUTOGRILL In 2015 restaurant operator Autogrill took action to improve their waste sorting at the source. The aim is to recycle even more material. In new outlets and during renovations LED lighting is consistently chosen, in order to limit the use of electricity. In addition, Autogrill has installed a system to reduce the use of water and detergents.

As a carbon-neutral company, Interparking replaced the majority of its old lighting with new LED lighting in 2015. It also installed motion and lux detectors, meaning that car parks and buildings are no longer continuously lit night and day.

Interparking has also purchased an electric Renault Kangoo.

Customers can now charge their own electric cars at Interparking’s ten charging points for free.

EASYJET easyJet places a high priority on efficiency and continuously searches for new ways to reduce fuel consumption. These include the use of lighter seats for passengers, special wingtips and guidelines for pilots on energy efficient flying, as well as new, more efficient aircraft.

HRS HRS is responsible for the supply and distribution of fuel at the airport. Last year this partner installed a solar-powered boiler in the refuelling buildings.

IBERIA Iberia is renewing its fleet with aircraft that use less fuel.

These new aircraft will be delivered in 2018.

The airline is also encouraging its staff to reduce their consumption of energy and water and to sort and recycle their waste.

63

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK

Staff members throughout the airport are committed to creating a better environment and in improving

PATRICK DELAUNOY FROM SINT-STEVENS-WOLUWE, AGE 43 PROJECT AND MAINTENANCE MANAGER

energy efficiency. A ten-member environment team, who give advice and support to ensure the continuous improvement of performance, assists them.

Track down energy guzzlers I am responsible for the smart electricity meters at Brussels Airport. These have been used ever since 2013 to track power consumption at the airport every quarter of an hour. Using our meters we can identify the guzzlers and we can then take action where required. A household tip? Cheap energy meters are available, which allow you to easily track down the energy guzzlers in your own home.

64

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

BENNY VANDENHEUVEL

GERALDINE JACOBS

HANS MOERMANS

FROM BERG, AGE 40

FROM TERVUREN, AGE 29, DEPUTY ENVIRONMENTAL

FROM ROTSELAAR, AGE 50

CORPORATE IMAGE & SPONSORING COORDINATOR

COORDINATOR, MEMBER OF THE ENVIRONMENT TEAM

PORTFOLIO MANAGER REAL ESTATE

Electric buses & vehicles running on natural gas

Respecting environmental regulations

Sustainable advice

No matter what I purchase for the airport, I always look at whether it can be done more sustainably: from the fruit we distributed to participants at our Car Free Day to the gadgets we give away in raffles. What I think is the airport’s greatest sustainable initiative?

The electric buses and our very own CNG fuel station for service vehicles running on natural gas.

As the deputy environmental coordinator my job includes preparing the airport’s environmental permits. Afterwards I check that everything stipulated in the permit is properly respected. My work has also made me consider the environment more in the way I do things at home. I try to limit my energy consumption, and I always consider whether something can be reused, before throwing it away.

In my job I often work closely with the environment team. Companies building a hangar or offices at the airport often need help in requesting environmental permits. These customers also often need advice on sustainable energy.

Whenever a contract expires, an environmental audit is carried out, to make sure there is no soil contamination and to ensure that all the installations meet environmental legislation.

65

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK

BRECHT BASTIAENS

FREDERIK CANTRÉ

DANIËL LETORET

FROM HERENT, AGE 29, TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENTAL

FROM ZOTTEGEM, AGE 35

FROM STEENOKKERZEEL, AGE 35

OFFICER, MEMBER OF THE ENVIRONMENT TEAM

DEPUTY MANAGER MAINTENANCE

DEPUTY MANAGER LOW VOLTAGE

Managing the noise monitoring network

More than green space maintenance

Low energy lighting

My tasks are varied. I am not only in charge of taking care of the green areas, but also responsible for maintaining sewers and even for carrying out urgent excavation works in the event of soil contamination. Yes, it even includes testing new types of grass!

My favourite initiative: this would undoubtedly be the airport’s water treatment installation, which processes up to 2.4 million litres of water every day.

What makes my job sustainable?

My job includes taking care of the airport’s outside lighting and also helping to renew it. In doing so I investigate all the different ways to save energy. Personally I love the way Brussels Airport has installed beehives and given a course in beekeeping. This shows that we go way beyond what is legally required.

As Technical Environmental Officer I help manage the noise-monitoring network around the airport.

This high-performance noise-monitoring network includes no less than 21 monitoring terminals. The results are processed in reports used in our communication with the government and on our website. To measure is to know!

66

ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL KEY KEY FIGURES KEY FIGURES FIGURES

ENVIRONMENTAL KEY FIGURES

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

NOISE NIGHT SLOTS

PEOPLE POTENTIALLY HIGHLY AFFECTED

18 000

40 000

16 000

35 000

14 000

30 000

12 000

25 000

10 000 20 000

8 000

15 000

6 000

10 000

4 000

DATA UNAVAILABLE*

2 000 0 2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

ARRIVALS

DATA UNAVAILABLE**

5 000

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

0

2000

2012

1.48

2013

1.45

2014

1.50

2015

1.40

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

** Calculated using another version of the INM calculation model.

ENERGY

1.49

2002

DEPARTURES

* No monitoring data available at Belgian Slot Coordination.

2011

2001

AIR EMISSIONS

ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION

EVOLUTION OF CO2 EMISSIONS FROM STATIONARY SOURCES

(IN GJprim/m²)

(COMBUSTION OF GAS, FUEL OIL, DIESEL)

ACTUAL CO2 EMISSIONS (TONS) STANDARDISED CO2 EMISSIONS*** (TONS)

2011 2012

8.62

%

SAVED

2013 2014 2015

25 000

20 000

2 900 MWh

15 000

=

10 000

COMES FROM SOLAR PANELS

5 000

OF OUR ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION

0

3%

BY PURCHASING GREEN ELECTRICITY, NO CO2 EMISSIONS ARE GENERATED AS A RESULT OF OUR ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION.

800 HOUSEHOLDS *** For the normalised CO2 emissions this is corrected on the basis of the external temperature (degree days correction).

2015

ENVIRONMENTAL KEY FIGURES

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT 2016

WATER CONSUMED

TREATED

RECYCLED

11.4 LITRES

427 444 m³

1.4 MILLION

OF TAP WATER PER

WASTEWATER FROM SANITARY

LITRES OF TREATED

PASSENGER IN PIER ZONES

UTILITIES AND DE-ICING

WASTEWATER

AND TERMINAL

OPERATIONS

MOBILITY

65 000

20 000

20 000

200

1 000

500

PASSENGERS

EMPLOYEES

CARS

TRAINS

BUSES

TRUCKS

= 85 000

= 21 700

DAILY TRIPS TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT

VEHICLES PER DAY

WASTE 2 259 TONS OF RESIDUAL WASTE, OF WHICH 24% RECYCLED

SOIL 1.2% IS MILDLY CONTAMINATED. NO REMEDIATION IS REQUIRED

4.0% IS CONTAMINATED, FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED

164 TONS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE, CORRECTLY COLLECTED

94.8%

AND PROCESSED

IS CLEAN

BIODIVERSITY 515 ha

10 ha

9 ha

GRASSLAND

WOODLAND, SHRUBS

WOODLAND

AND CONIFERS

PLAY AREA CREATED

W W W. B R U S S E L S A I R P O RT. B E