Ambitious plans for Hawke’s Bay Airport

Working in the aviation industry may seem an unlikely career choice for a 'greenie leaning engineer', as Michelle Duncan describes herself, but there's method to her madness.

"Aviation is an industry with some challenges when it comes to reducing carbon emissions but with those challenges comes some big opportunities", says Duncan. "I'm passionate about travel myself, but obviously, that comes with a high carbon impact."

"It's exciting to work with an organisation that is committed to playing it's part to decarbonise the sector. Sustainability is a big focus for Hawke's Bay Airport, not just something they do on the side."

First for New Zealand

Duncan has been working as a Sustainability Project Manager with Hawke’s Bay Airport (HBAL) for the last 18 months. A big part of her role has been working on the international Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) process, the gold standard for airport carbon management.

More than 330 airports around the world are actively addressing carbon emissions as part of the ACA programme, including London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports, and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

Recently, HBAL became the first regional airport in New Zealand to gain Level 2 certification under the ACA programme, recognising its commitment to emissions reduction, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development. Level 2 accreditation requires the airport to show it has made meaningful changes in its carbon emissions.

Since 2018, HBAL has reduced its average emissions per passenger by 12 percent. HBAL’s carbon emissions are less than 50 tonnes per year while the average annual emissions per person in New Zealand is around 18 tonnes per year.

"Our current emissions are comparatively low compared to other infrastructure organisations but we are also very keen to do what we can to reduce the impacts of climate change — both in Hawke’s Bay and across the globe," says HBAL Chief Executive Stuart Ainslie.

Ainslie says the ACA accreditation is part of a broader commitment to embed sustainability in every aspect of the airport’s operation.

“We’ve made a conscious decision to put sustainability at the heart of our business, and this is an important step toward our ultimate goal of being New Zealand’s most sustainable airport.”

Net zero carbon

The ACA process is part of the airport’s Decarbonisation Plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 by integrating decarbonisation into all its asset and efficiency planning.

“We’ve looked at emissions that are within our control and have switched to 100% renewable and CarboNZero-certified electricity, as well as adding electric and hybrid vehicles into our fleet,” says Ainslie.

HBAL has also identified more than 38 projects ranging from small operational changes to large scale projects to help reduce carbon emissions.

Some of those projects include

• Transitioning away from fossil fuel run vehicles.
• Producing on-site renewable energy — HBAL is looking at the feasibility of a new on-site solar farm.
• Purchasing certified renewable energy from Ecotricity.
• Upgrading car park lighting to LED or solar lights.
• Installing electric vehicle charging stations.
• Increased efficiency of the airport terminal (e.g. water and energy use, LED lighting, sensors, more efficient heating and cooling systems).
• Ensuring businesses building on airport land are like minded in their approach to sustainability.

They are also keen to work with airlines and airports to trial new technologies such as hybrid/electric aircraft, route development and ground services.

Ecotricity is the only provider of 100 percent renewable and carboNZero Certified electricity that is sourced from wind, hydro and solar. HBAL switched electricity suppliers in April 2020 to align with their sustainability goals and also achieved a cost savings on their electricity bill at the same time. HBAL purchases from Ecotricity and they measure the carbon emissions from that electricity and purchase off-sets on behalf of the airport.

The Bikeport will make it easier and more convenient for cyclists to access the airport by bike, encouraging the 200 people who work at airport-based businesses and the estimated 500,000 passengers (pre-Covid the airport reached the milestone of 750,000 passengers for the first time) and visitors who use the airport every year to consider more sustainable transport options. It will also enhance Hawke’s Bay as a destination for cyclists.

“The Bikeport has been really well received and has had really good social buy-in,” says Duncan. “We had this little piece of land that wasn’t being used and now we've got this cool bike facility for people to use. We expect it to appeal to employees and to people who want to come to the airport, park their bike and jump on a plane. As part of our new terminal development, Bay Espresso is opening a new café and bar and we think a pitstop at the Bikeport and café will prove very popular with cyclists riding the local trails,” says Duncan.

The Bikeport is an ideal rest stop on the 35km Water Ride trail, a scenic ride that starts on Napier’s shoreline at Ahuriri. The trail follows the coast towards Bay View, before heading inland and south into rural wetlands. It winds around historic Te Roro o Kuri Island and after passing the airport continues through wetlands and finishes back in Ahuriri. The full 35km loop can be split into shorter sections, or extended to include the Taradale Loop that takes in Mission Estate and Church Road wineries.

Waste not, want not

HBAL’s new airport terminal includes a range of waste and energy efficient initiatives including upgrading their current system from waste only bins (with everything going to landfill) to a new three bin system that includes organics/compostables and recyclables.

HBAL is also working alongside Bay Espresso, the new café tenant at the airport, to reduce single use plastic and design waste out of the system. Other wins in the new terminal include:

• more efficient heating, cooling and water taps
• installing full LED lighting
• bathroom hot air hand dryers, eliminating paper waste
• light sensors for less frequently used spaces.

“We’ve made good progress but recognise that it’s only the beginning of a journey,” says Ainslie. “We’re committed to being leaders in this space, and have set a goal of being the first carbon neutral airport in New Zealand. We’ve developed a plan to help us get there, and we’re working towards it.”