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Published: 31/01/2008 - Filed under: News »

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T5’s green pledges

The opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 is now just a couple of months away, and BAA has released details of some of the facility’s green initiatives. The company says that 85 per cent of the rainwater hitting the terminal building will be collected and recycled for non-potable uses, while the same percentage of heat for T5 will be supplied by excess energy produced by the Heathrow heat and power station.

BAA has planted 30,000 native woodland plants and 4,000 trees and shrubs around the terminal (although note it was also forced to divert two river channels around the perimeter of T5 as part of the development). Other green initiatives include ground vehicles complying with the latest exhaust emissions standards, low-flush toilets, and secure bicycle storage to encourage environmentally friendly transport to and from the terminal.

The airport group also says T5 has been built on reclaimed land from a previous sludge works, but while this may be environmentally friendly, it could work out costly for BAA. It appears the terminal has been built on land partly owned by the Crown Estate, and compensation has yet to be agreed, something which could end up amounting to £20 million as the Crown will be obliged to seek suitable payment to protect taxpayer’s interests.

For more information visit baa.com/t5, and for an in-depth look at the new terminal, subscribe to the April edition of Business Traveller.

Air France makes green pledges

The Air France Group has announced plans to limit greenhouse emissions and noise pollution between now and 2020.

The group says that an annual investment of €2 billion will allow it to meet targets, including a 20 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions on domestic and French overseas departments routes between 2005 and 2012, and a reduction in fuel consumed per standard passenger to 3.70 litres per 100km by 2012. It is also pledging to reduce noise pollution to a level below that attained in 2005, and is investing in cleaner ground services equipment in airports.

Air France introduced a CO2 emissions calculator on its website last year and also launched a carbon-offset programme in partnership with non-profit organisation Good Planet.

For more information visit airfrance.com.

HSBC launches Hertz Green Collection promotion

Businesses applying for an HSBC commercial credit card before February 29 will go into a draw to win a week’s free car rental from Hertz’s Green Collection.

There are 52 one-week prizes on offer, and in addition, HSBC says it will donate £2 to the World Wildlife Fund for every successful application.

Cars in the Hertz Green Collection have a CO2 output of less than 140g/km, and do between 40 and 65 miles to the gallon depending on their engine size.

For more information visit businessoffers.hsbc.co.uk.

Report by Mark Caswell

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