THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT June 2008
NJ and NY Port Authority to offer carbon credits On 21 April 2008, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced a program that will permit drivers and airline passengers to buy credits to offset their carbon emissions. Revenue from the credits, which will be purchased at a website operated on behalf of the Port Authority, will be used to plant trees, install solar panels, build wind turbines, and invest in other carbon-reducing and offsetting measures. The Port itself has committed to buying carbon offsets to reduce the greenhouse gases it produces.
EMA aspires to carbon neutrality by 2012
Joe Kelly Director, Environmental Services
East Midlands Airport (EMA), which serves UK cities Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby, expects to achieve carbon neutrality for its ground operations by 2012 through carbon emission cuts and an offsetting program. To date, EMA has invested in significant technologies to achieve its environmental ambitions of mitigating 12,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. As of February 2008, 20% of the airport’s energy needs were generated from renewable sources. The Sky-Walk, the centerpiece of EMA’s plan, is a passenger concourse that takes advantage of geothermal technology to heat the entire building. Other climate control technologies include the replacement of gas heating with locally-produced wood-fired boilers, a wind-driven air conditioning system that delivers fresh air into the building and expels warm air through external louvers, and a polycarbonate roof that captures natural light and reflects it internally through a mirror-finished aluminum tube.
British Airways diversifies green initiatives British Airways recently revealed a multi-pronged approach to address climate change. BA is supporting research at Cambridge University to gain a better understanding of the environmental effects of aviation with a focus on lesser known pollutants such as contrails. Furthermore, BA is providing funding for a range of products including an attempt to halt deforestation in Brazil, which is a significant source of CO2 emissions. On the passenger side, BA aims to simplify how passengers purchase carbon offsets for their flight emissions and invest the proceeds into numerous green projects. BA has partnered with Morgan Stanley in order to channel the funds from offsetting toward various green projects which include hydro-electric power initiatives in Santa Catarina, Brazil and the Gansu province of China and a wind farm in Ningxia province, China.
Virgin tests bio jet fuel In an effort to demonstrate the feasibility of clean jet fuels, Virgin Atlantic flew the inaugural flight of a commercial aircraft powered with biofuel on 24 February 2008. The fuel, which was a mixture of coconut and babassu oil, is expected to produce less carbon dioxide emissions than regular jet fuel. Virgin and its partners Boeing, General Electric, and Imperium Renewables are excited at the prospect of using biofuels, especially considering the fact that the Boeing 747 aircraft used in the test flight required no design enhancements to use the biofuel mixture.
Partnership launches Whistler EcoPath Tourism Whistler and the Resort Municipality of Whistler introduced Whistler EcoPath, an online emissions calculator aimed at increasing awareness of climate change. Carbon offsets associated with travel to and from the resort can be purchased through the resort’s official website, Whistler.com. Other web-based resources available at the website include green meeting options and a travel checklist for visitors to reduce their environmental footprint.
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InterVISTAS’ Canadian Aviation Intelligence Report Copyright ©2008 InterVISTAS Consulting Inc., all rights reserved.