The article, “From Use of Green Materials to Renewable Energy: Green Airports are the Future of Air Travel” by Kulkarni (2022), explores the advantages and features of a green airport. A green airport refers to a more environmentally friendly infrastructure that reduces the ecological footprint of airport operations contributing to high carbon emissions. With the increasing concern about global warming in recent years, ideas of green airports have been introduced to mitigate the negative impact of airport operations on the environment (Kulkarni, 2022). Green airports' unique features set them apart in fostering environmental sustainability within the aviation industry. Its energy-efficient design prioritizes the maximization of natural lighting reducing the need for artificial lighting. (Durgut, 2023). Additionally, a green airport uses eco-friendly and recycled building materials, reducing construction's negative effects on the environment (Kulkarni, 2022). Lastly, another distinctive feature of a green airport is the active participation in carbon offset programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with airport operations (Hosari, 2022). With these advanced features, a green airport becomes an infrastructure with multifaceted benefits. The effectiveness of green airport initiatives is evident in Singapore Changi Airport (SCA), recognized as the world’s best airport, serving as a benchmark for emerging green airports addressing the challenges posed by global warming. SCA employs innovative designs to enhance energy efficiency and minimize its environmental impact. A notable example would be the strategic deployment of photocell sensors. These sensors, installed in terminal areas that receive ample natural light, are pivotal features implemented by the Changi Airport Group. It intelligently detects daylight levels and adjusts artificial lighting accordingly, ensuring optimal illumination and economical energy usage. This not only effectively reduces reliance on artificial lighting in well-lit spaces but also contributes significantly to energy conservation and sustainability (Changi Airport Group, 2021). Complementing this initiative, dnata, a global air and travel services provider has integrated a 3.5 megawatt-peak rooftop solar panel power system into its operations at SCA. This installation spans across the cargo and catering facilities, showcasing a commitment to renewable energy (Chandak, 2022). As Utilities One (2023) emphasizes, "By minimizing energy consumption and utilizing renewable sources, energy-efficient buildings significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions." With the help of the solar power system, it enables a substantial 20% annual reduction in electricity-related carbon emissions in Singapore (Chandak, 2022). The incorporation of eco-friendly and recycled building materials stands out as a distinctive feature of green airports, reflecting a commitment to minimizing environmental impact through conscientious material choices. At SCA, this commitment is exemplified in the reconstruction of the aircraft parking bay. Typically, such aircraft parking bays have a lifespan of 25 years; this leads to the disposal of old materials as construction waste and the introduction of new construction materials, often comprising a concrete mix with 100% new stone (Changi Airport Group, 2019). In contrast, SCA employs a sustainable approach by utilizing recycled concrete in its construction projects. According to Changi Airport Group (2019), an engineering collaboration with a local university has resulted in a concrete design mix that incorporates 50% new stones and 50% recycled stones. This approach not only extends the life of existing materials but also reduces the demand for new resources. By adopting these practices, SCA contributes to the overall reduction of the construction industry's ecological impact. Active participation in the carbon offset program is another unique feature of a green airport. At SCA, travelers have the option to calculate their carbon emissions based on flight origin, destination, and class of travel through the Changi Airport website or app (Changi Airport Group, 2023). According to the Straits Times, this program “supports environmental projects such as rainforest preservation and the construction of solar energy projects across India”(Loi,2023). These programs help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with airport operations by compensating for their greenhouse gas emissions by investing in projects that reduce an equivalent amount of emissions elsewhere. However, as the airline industry moves towards more sustainable practices, passengers may face higher airfare prices. Airlines need to invest in the latest, more efficient planes compared to their current planes(France 24, 2021). This problem can be minimized by gradually implementing sustainable practices to reduce immediate financial impacts. In conclusion, SCA is a prime example of a green airport and it indicates a significant move towards more sustainable aviation practices. The implementation of energy-efficient designs to the use of eco-friendly materials and active participation in carbon offset programs, these initiatives showcase the industry's commitment to environmental responsibility. Despite potential challenges such airfare increases may arise, the combined efforts of these initiatives significantly help reduce the environmental impact linked to airport operations.
References
Kulkarni, S. (2022, April 13). From use of green materials to renewable energy: Green airports are the future of Air Travel. Aviation Pros. https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/article/21260263/from-use-of-green-materials-to-renewable-energy-green-airports-are-the-future-of-air-travel
Durgut, M. (2023, January 29). Green and eco-friendly airports: The Future of Air Travel. https://www.aviationfile.com/green-and-eco-friendly-airports/#:~:text=Energy%20Efficiency%3A%20Green%20airports%20make,systems%20to%20reduce%20energy%20consumption.
Hosari, O. (2022, July 28). The rise of Green Airports. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rise-green-airports-omar-hosari
Changi Airport Group. (n.d.). CAG Sustainability Report 2021.PDF. https://www.changiairport.com/content/dam/cacorp/sustainability/sustainable-changi/sustainability-report/CAG%20SUSTAINABILITY%20REPORT%202021.pdf
Assessing the environmental impact of energy-efficient buildings. Utilities One. (2023, November 20). https://utilitiesone.com/assessing-the-environmental-impact-of-energy-efficient-buildings
Chandak, P. (2022, April 25). Dnata installs 3.5 MW Rooftop Solar System at Changi Airport, Singapore. SolarQuarter. https://solarquarter.com/2022/04/25/dnata-installs-3-5-mw-rooftop-solar-system-at-changi-airport-singapore%EF%BF%BC%EF%BF%BC%EF%BF%BC/
Changi Airport Group. (2019, March). Recycling concrete - Paving the way to a sustainable future.
Loi, Esther. (2023, 15 November). Passengers can offset carbon emissions from air travel under new Changi Airport initiative.
France 24. (2021, October 22). Flying Green will be more expensive. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211022-flying-green-will-be-more-expensive
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