Fraport AG News - June 2009

Company Fraport AG
Date 16.06.2009

FRA/rap> Frankfurt Airport (FRA), owned and managed by Fraport AG, announced its application to become Airport Carbon Accredited at today's launch of the carbon emissions program during the 19th ACI Europe Annual Congress, taking place in Manchester. The voluntary Airport Carbon Accreditation program will assess and recognize airports' efforts to manage and reduce CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions within their direct control. It will also take into account collaborative efforts with airlines, air traffic controllers, ground handlers and others on the airport site. Today's launch sees a total of 31 European airports applying for Airport Carbon Accreditation.  More applicants are expected in the months ahead.

Comprised of four levels of accreditation – mapping, reduction, optimization and neutrality – Airport Carbon Accreditation will be administered by leading consultancy WSP Environmental and overseen by an independent advisory board made up of representatives of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC),  Eurocontrol, and the European Commission.

Fraport executive board vice chairman Dr. Stefan Schulte said:    "In signing today's launch declaration Frankfurt Airport has reaffirmed its commitment to the challenge of climate change. Airport Carbon Accreditation will validate our efforts and give more voice to the actions Fraport is undertaking to minimize FRA's impact on the environment.  We are proud to be a founding member of the vital Airport Carbon Accreditation program."

Olivier Jankovec, director general of airport trade body ACI Europe, commented: "Until now, there hasn't been a European-wide, institutionally-endorsed way of mapping and reducing carbon emissions on the airport site – which is a uniquely complicated space. For the 31 airports signing up at today's launch, Airport Carbon Accreditation will provide a common, institutionally-endorsed European framework to assess and recognize their efforts."  He added: "For ACI Europe, launching Airport Carbon Accreditation turns our industry commitment to reduce carbon emissions into concrete action. This is about engaging the European airport community at large to play their part in addressing the impact of aviation on climate change."

Fraport's initiatives and accreditation of CO2 emissions will be carried out in conjunction with Frankfurt Airport's regular EMAS  (Eco Management and Audit Scheme) certification. Frankfurt Airport is Germany's first airport to achieve 10 years of EMAS, a voluntary European Union program.  Fraport will also be developing a Stakeholder Engagement Plan to involve the various airport partners in the common goal of reducing FRA's CO2 emissions.  "Reducing CO2 emissions per passenger and per 100 kilogram of freight by 30 percent by 2020 is a strategic goal that Fraport is vigorously pursing," said Dr. Schulte.

Through the improved efficiency of various business processes Fraport will strive to uncouple CO2 emissions in relation to air traffic volumes. FRA's Airport Expansion Program will not result in additional CO2 emissions because of the application of low-energy standards.  The future Terminal 3, a key element of FRA's planned Airport Expansion Program, will be designed as an "eco terminal" and will benefit from geothermal energy, photovoltaic technology or other environmental technologies.  With this eco-friendly design, Fraport's climate protection goals will be properly met.  Along with the expansion initiatives, specific projects reducing emissions of existing infrastructure include:  refurbishing the Terminal 1 central air conditioning system, energy upgrading of service and administration buildings, using energy efficient lighting in buildings, expanding the 400 hertz ground-power supply system for aircraft parking positions, and demolishing older buildings.

Fraport's overall environmental activities are heavily influenced by efforts to reduce significantly the impact of air traffic.  For example, this will be achieved by further advancing intermodal strategies and concepts for the intelligent integration of air, rail and road transportation networks – FRA is already a world leader in this area.  Along with climate protection, Fraport's environmental management focuses on noise abatement, water management and biodiversity.  Fraport will also be hosting the upcoming international Sustainable Airport Environments 2009 conference from September 15 to 16, at FRA's Steigenberger Airport Hotel.

 

 

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For Further information, Please Contact:

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide
Robert A. Payne, B.A.A. – Manager International Press
Press Office (Dept. UKM-PS), Corporate Communications (UKM)
60547 Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany
Tel.: +49 69.690.78547; Fax: +49.69.690.60548;
E-mail: r.payne@fraport.de; Internet: http://www.fraport.com;
www.airportcity-frankfurt.com

Contact

Fraport
Frankfurt Airport
Services Worldwide
60547 Frankfurt / Main
Germany
  • +49 1806 372-4636