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2012Environmental reportBarcelona-El Prat Airport
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Contents
Presentation ----------------------------------------------------------------------3Description of the airport ------------------------------------------------------4
> Address -----------------------------------------------------------------------4> Description of facilities ----------------------------------------------------4
> Aena’s activity at the Barcelona - El Prat Airport ----------------------5Environmental policy -----------------------------------------------------------6Description of the Environmental Management System (EMS) ------9Structure of the airport’s Environmental Department -----------------10Environmental aspects and associated impacts --------------------------11Objectives and targets ---------------------------------------------------------14Environmental training --------------------------------------------------------16Audits -------------------------------------------------------------------------------17Environmental performance --------------------------------------------------18
> Electricity consumption ---------------------------------------------------18> Natural gas consumption -------------------------------------------------19> Fuel consumption -----------------------------------------------------------21> Water consumption ---------------------------------------------------------22> Wastewater treatment ----------------------------------------------------24> Monitoring of surface/ground water -----------------------------------26> Waste ---------------------------------------------------------------------------29> Noise emissions -------------------------------------------------------------34> Air quality at airport facilities -------------------------------------------39> Wildlife control --------------------------------------------------------------48> Environmental monitoring of companies -----------------------------53
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This is the Barcelona-El Prat Airport’s Environmental Management Report for the year 2012.
The airport’s environmental management is UNE-EN ISO 14001 certified and is fully integrated into the airport’s overall management structure.
The information presented herein offers a summary of the environmental conditions at the airport in 2012 and of their progress
with respect to previous years, as well as of the improvement initiatives undertaken in an effort to reduce the impact that the airport’s presence has on its surroundings.
This report is a reflection of the daily work and efforts made by everyone so that the airport can offer the best service to all its clients. Hard work that is done each and every day in order to implement all of the measures required by the very society that is served by the airport.
Presentation
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Description of the airport
> Address: Company name: Aena Aeropuertos.
Center: Aeropuerto de Barcelona-El Prat
Address: Aeropuerto de Barcelona-El Prat Terminal T1 Dique Sur, 2ª planta 08820- El Prat de Llobregat
CIF: A-86212420 CNAE: 63.23
> Description of facilities The airport is on the Llobregat River Delta and is situated primarily in the municipality of El Prat de Llobregat, though it also occupies land in Sant Boi de Llobregat and Viladecans.
> Surface area: 1520.16 Ha> Located 10 km away from the city of Barcelona> It is open 24 hours a days> Two passenger terminals: T1 and T2 (A, B and C)> One cargo terminal> Three runways for takeoffs and landings> Stated capacity of 64 movements/hr, with a capacity for 90 operations/hr.> Houses over 120 airlines> Over 170 destinations> 35,145,176 passengers in 2012> 290,004 aircraft movements in 2012> 96,617 tons of cargo in 2012
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> Activity of Aena Aeropuertos at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport
The environmental management system is applicable to the management and maintenance activities involving the facilities, structures and services at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport (direct aspects).
These activities and services include:> Electricity generation in the event of an emergency> Electricity supply> Water supply> Facilities maintenance (electrical network, water network, air conditioning,
electromechanical equipment, computer network and systems, firefighting network, landscaping, etc.)
> Facilities improvement> Maintenance of the wastewater network> Aviation services and the management of operational infrastructure> Rescue and firefighting> Waste pick-up> Administrative activities> Commercial activities
Many of these activities and services are not performed directly by Aena Aeropuertos, but by companies subcontracted for these purposes. These services are:
> Airfield maintenance and cleaning> The cleaning of facilities> Waste management> Wastewater network maintenance> Landscaping> Maintenance of the various facilities> Wildlife control> Pest control> Airport vehicle maintenance> Maintenance of the environmental management system> Environmental monitoring of contractors and concessionaires> Environmental information and customer service
In addition, there are other concessionaires engaged in activities at the airport, including airlines, fuel supply companies, handling companies, stores, restaurants and car rental companies, that are beyond the scope of the environmental program, though those aspects of their activities that might affect the airport’s environmental management (indirect aspects) are identified and monitored.
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Environmental policy
> Environmental and Energy Policy of Aena Aeropuertos
Commitment to the environment and to energy efficiency
Aena Aeropuertos S.A., ., as a leader in providing air transport services through its airports and air navigation system, is aware of its commitment to society to protect the environment and to contribute to the sustainability of air transport, and doing so within a framework of safety, quality and efficiency.
In keeping with this responsibility, Aena Aeropuertos has set as one of its goals that of excellence in the provision of the services assigned to it. To this end, and within the framework of the Spanish Strategy for Sustainable Development, Aena is mandated to apply those measures that allow for the sustainable development of air transport by weighing the social, environmental and financial costs and benefits to obtain a positive result for society.
Along these lines, Aena Aeropuertos’ commitment to the environment has been under constant and continuous development, with the definition of a set of programs and actions and the progressive increase in the resources allocated so as to achieve its environmental goals. All of this is expressed in accordance with a constantly updated Environmental and Energy Policy that has taken root in our organization’s collective consciousness.
The environmental variable is also present in every aspect of our activities: planning, project construction and provision of services. By using suitable indicators, we can define preventive, protective, compensatory and corrective measures to minimize any potential impact from airport activities, air navigation and infrastructure development, thus ensuring higher levels of environmental quality, economic progress and the preservation of natural resources.
In keeping with this environmental commitment, the implementation of new environmental management systems is being promoted at airport and air navigation centers. These systems are based on internationally recognized norms that allow for the awarding of environmental certifications.
In particular, as part of our commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, we are striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change by making the most of our energy resources and by phasing in the use of renewable energies as permitted by operational requirements.
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This has all led Aena Aeropuertos to establish a commitment to environmental excellence that meets social and environmental demands and will ensure the sustainable development of air transportation in keeping with the following principles:
> Environmental and energy principles
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To respect and protect the environment as a central tenet in the management of those airport activities entrusted to Aena Aeropuertos S.A., as well as in the development of aviation infrastructure and of commercial spaces and services.
To make air travel compatible with preserving the environment such that today’s actions do not compromise the quality of life of future generations, thus promoting sustainable development.
To establish procedures to disseminate and update the legal, environmental and energy requirements applicable to Aena Aeropuertos’ activities and promote compliance with them.
To implement an Environmental Management System at each facility that is compatible with this environmental and energy policy, and which allows for the periodic definition of environmental goals and objectives, as well as for the systematic monitoring and evaluation of its level of compliance so as to assure constant improvement and the prevention of contamination.
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To have available the information and resources necessary to propose and achieve constant improvement objectives involving energy efficiency as a cornerstone for reducing CO2 emissions, as part of Aena Aeropuertos’ strategy for sustainable development.
To promote actions intended to minimize sound levels and that allow for preserving the quality of life in neighborhoods near the airport.
To use the technical and economic means available to prevent the air pollution that may be associated with Aena Aeropuertos’ activities, while minimizing chemical emissions and establishing suitable testing, monitoring and corrective mechanisms.
To promote the reuse, recycling and management of waste in a way that is environmentally friendly.
To streamline the consumption of energy and natural resources through energy efficiency and the gradual utilization of renewable energies.
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To behave transparently with the public agencies, institutions and communities involved in Aena Aeropuertos’ activity and to cooperate closely with them so as to prevent any potential environmental impact that may result from those activities associated with air transportation.
To inform all of Aena Aeropuertos’ employees, contractors and concessionaires of its Environmental Policy and to make it available to our clients and to the rest of society.
To promote awareness in our staff through training programs that emphasize the importance of the correct conduct of their activities and by encouraging their participation in achieving our objectives.
To periodically revise the Environmental Policy to meet the organization’s new objectives, adapting it to new needs as they arise.
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Aena Aeropuertos S.A. Management Committee September 2011
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Description of the Environmental Management System (EMS)
The Environmental Management System at the Barcelona – El Prat Airport complies with the requirements of the ISO 14001:2004 Standard and has been AENOR certified since July 1999 (1998/1282/GA/01).
The EMS provides the framework for identifying and monitoring environmental aspects. The functions of an EMS include:
> Identifying the procedures necessary to implement the environmental policy
> Establishing the criteria, methods and resources to ensure its efficiency
> Obtaining and analyzing information on its results
> Implementing actions aimed at continuously improving the environmental management of its activities.
The EMS comprises the following key elements:
> Environmental policy
> EMS documentation:- Manual- Procedures- Technical instructions- Records
> Environmental management program
> Internal audit
> Management review
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Structure of the airport’s Environmental Department
BCN Airport Director
Environmental Department
° NOISE monitoring and control° Monitoring of WATER quality° Monitoring of AIR quality° WASTE management° WILDLIFE control° SAIM (Environmental Information Service)° Maintenance of the EMS° ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING –
Monitoring of companies
Head of Env. Dept.
Divisions Other departments
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Environmental aspects and associated impactsAn environmental aspect is defined as any element, product or service of the organization that may interact with the environment.
An environmental impact is any change in the environment, whether harmful or beneficial, produced by an environmental aspect.
Direct environmental aspects result from the activities or services provided by Aena Aeropuertos S.A. at the Barcelona – El Prat Airport under normal operating conditions and associated with those activities or services that are directly controlled by Aena.
The direct significant aspects derived from the identification and evaluation of the activities in 2012 are as follows:
Vector Direct aspect Associated impacts
Water
- Total water usage at airport- Usage of well water- Usage of externally supplied water- Potable water usage- Non-potable water usage for irrigation
Depletion of natural resources
- Discharge of water to the DEPURBAIX treatment station in the city sewage network
Resources used to maintain treatment station. Possible contamination of effluent.
Energy / Natural Resources
- Electricity usage- Natural gas usage- Gasoline usage in service station
Depletion of natural resources
Air
- Gas and particle emissions from combustion of diesel and gasoline in vehicles.
- Gas and particle emissions from firefighting training.
- Gas and particle emissions from combustion of natural gas in HVAC boilers in terminals
Air pollution. Respiratory ailments. Global warming – climate change
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Vector Direct aspect Associated impacts
Waste
- Generation of used mineral oils- Generation of bulbs (fluorescent)- Generation of rubber waste from cleaning
runways- Generation of absorbents and oil-soaked rags- Generation of aerosols- Generation of used batteries- Generation of cans with paint residue- Generation of medical waste (Type III and IV)
- Use of landfills. Soil/groundwater pollution.- Waste incineration: yields thermal energy
that is used to generate electricity. Air po-llution (combustion emissions) and possible contamination of water and soil from liquid discharges resulting from the cleaning of the combustion gases, ash and slag.
- Processing of hazardous waste
Potential environmental aspects are those that are generated as a consequence of the activities carried out at the Barcelona - El Prat Airport outside of normal operating conditions resulting from emergency situations.
Potential aspects are associated with risk situations and are apparent during any accidents that may occur. The most significant aspects in 2012 were:
Vector Potential aspect Impact
Water Soil Waste
- Spill/Leak of Jet A1 fuel due to rupture/crack in distribution network or to sealing problems in pits or during aircraft refueling operations.
- Spill of oil or fuel (vehicles/machinery)- Neglected/discarded hazardous materials
or waste.- Neglected/discarded non-hazardous waste
(airport construction).
Water pollutionSoil pollution Processing of hazardous wasteUse of landfill to deposit waste. Soil/ground water pollution.
Air- Leak of cooling gases that deplete the ozone
layer and gases that contribute to global warming
Harm to ozone layer and global warming
Natural resources - Water leaks (potable and non-potable) Depletion of natural resources
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Indirect environmental aspects are those resulting from the activities, services and processes carried out by the concessionaires present at the Barcelona – El Prat Airport. These aspects are identified at the time the activity is started. They are defined and subsequently tracked as part of the environmental monitoring plans imposed by Aena Aeropuertos at the Barcelona – El Prat Airport.
In addition to the indirect environmental aspects tracked through the environmental monitoring plans, Aena Aeropuertos’ Environmental Department independently tracks the noise emissions resulting from all operations involving aircraft on takeoff and approach:
Vector Indirect aspect Impact
NoiseGeneration of noise from airplanes in in near-by municipalities
Nuisance that can affect the public’s health or well-being
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Objectives and targets
The table below shows the progress made in attaining the objectives set for 2011-2012
Aspect Objective Tracking / Findings Evaluation
MUNICIPAL WASTE IMPROVE THE SORTING OF PAPER AND PACKAGING WASTE (Kg handled per year x 100 / total kg of municipal waste per year)
The actions taken (inspection routes, instructions to concessionaires and installation of new pick-up points in restaurants for packaging) have resulted in an increased percentage of packaging waste collected (a 4.22% increased with respect to previous year) but not in the percentage of paper/cardboard waste collected, which only went up by 0.14%, short of the 1% goal.
Achieved
(packaging)
Not achieved (paper)
ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS
REDUCE ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS OF NITROGEN OXIDES (NOx) AND PARTICULATES (PM10)
> Auxiliary Power Units (APU) on aircraft:
Annual inventory of the emissions produced by the use of APUs at the Barcelona – El Prat Airport.
Six-month campaign to track compliance with AIP regulation on the maximum length of time the APU can be used by aircraft connected to jetway.
> Aena vehicles:
Actions to reorganize the Aena-Barcelona vehicle fleet by the Aviation Safety Department so as to optimize resources and reduce costs and emissions.
Annual inventory of vehicle fleet emissions.
Achieved
ELECTRICITY IMPROVE ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND EFFICIENCY
> T1: Reduce light usage in longitudinal dock – posts (T1).
> Improve efficiency in buildings and car parks (T1 and T2)
> Reduce runway light usage: south apron gates (T1) and taxiway center lights.
> PS1 diaphragm wall box lighting in longitudinal dock.
> Terminal 2 (HALL TB and TB Commercial Area–lighting): Control lighting using sensors in low passenger occupation/transit areas.
> Terminal 2 (Intermodal Building): Control lighting based on amount of natural light available.
Achieved
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Aspect Objective Tracking / Findings Evaluation
ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS. GAS, FUEL AND ELECTRICITY USAGE. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT ON CO2 EMISSIONS (CARBON FOOTPRINT)
Usage and other data used to prepare the report were reported and sent to Aena Central Services. The annual Carbon Footprint reports for 2011 and 2012 were sent to Central Services as part of the accreditation process
Achieved
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS OF AENA PERSONNEL AT THE BARCELONA-EL PRAT AIRPORT
1. Training course on efficient driving.2. Training for Aena personnel on the
efficient use of energy resources on the job.
In progress (using internal resources)
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Environmental trainingEnvironmental training at Barcelona-El Prat Airport is designed to ensure that its personnel, especially those whose jobs can have environmental impacts, are mindful of and monitor the environmental aspects associated with their jobs.
All personnel who work at the airport must be aware of the importance of complying with the environmental policy. Planned training and awareness aims to provide personnel with a higher level of skills and proficiency so as to achieve our commitment to constant improvement.
The following training activities were carried out over the course of 201:
> Online environmental awareness course for all Aena Aeropuertos personnel at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport
> Handling of packaging and packaging waste, aspects of the new law> VI Conference on ISO 50001energy management> Energy management systems. ISO 50001 Standard> Technical workshop on energy efficiency and savings in motors and speed regulators.> Airport noise> Techniques for restoring contaminated sites> Carbon footprint calculation and management> Course on energy savings and efficiency in the industry> Workshop on efficient energy management> Course on airport energy management
Ámbito ambiental 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL COURSES 6 17 18 18 10 11
TRAINING HOURS 174 136 85 139 62 181
PARTICIPANTS 291 239 207 691 77 18
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Audits Environmental Management System (UNE EN ISO 14001)
The airport’s Environmental Management System is periodically audited in order to determine:
> If it meets the requirements of the ISO 14001: 2004 Standard> If the activities are in compliance with the Environmental Management System at the
Barcelona-El Prat Airport> If it complies with existing environmental laws
Since 1998, the Barcelona-El Prat Airport’s EMS has undergone over 30 audits (both internal and external). The audit results continue to attest to the maturity attained by the Environmental Management System in recent years and underscore the efforts made by the Environmental Department and by the airport to constantly improve it.
GHG (greenhouse gas) Emissions Trading
Period: 2008-2012
In February 2012, as part of the permit that the airport has to emit greenhouse gases from its heating boilers in the terminals and technical building, the annual emissions report for 2011, which provides a record of GHG emissions for the entire year, was satisfactorily audited.
Carbon footprint - Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA)
The Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) is a voluntary program to reduce the emission of polluting gases. Several European airports, including Barcelona-El Prat, are engaged in this program, with accreditation being awarded by Airports Council International (ACI).
The program features four levels of certification (Level 1, Mapping, Level 2, Reduction, Level 3, Optimization, and Level 3+, Neutrality). The airport’s eventual goal is to be certified as “carbon neutral”.
The Barcelona-El Prat Airport has attained the first level of certification (mapping – carbon footprint of the airport). The airport’s CO2 emissions report (carbon footprint) was audited and verified by AENOR in November of 2011 in accordance with the UNE-EN ISO 14064-3:2006 Standard. This accreditation was valid for the 2011-2012 period.
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Environmental performance
> Electricity consumptionThe electricity used at the Barcelona –El Prat Airport is supplied by an external utility company.
In addition, the Barcelona - El Prat airport has at its disposal several diesel-powered emergency generators that supply electricity to the airport in the event of an interruptionin the external network.
The electricity is supplied via two lines: > SAE substation, CELT-CELA power plants (T2 area)> SAO substation, CENAT-CELA power plant (T1 area)
In 2012, a total of 183,684,400 kWh of electricity was used.
Of note is:> A 3% reduction in consumption with respect to 2011.
The following are among the measures taken in 2011-2012 to reduce electricity usage at the airport:
> T1: Reduction in light usage in the longitudinal dock - stands- (T1).> Closing off of the top floors in the parking buildings (T1 and T2).> Apron lighting: Turning off the gates in the south apron (T1) and turning off taxiway
centerline lights.> PS1 diaphragm wall box in the longitudinal dock.> Terminal 2 (Hall TB and TB Commercial Area): Control lighting using sensors in low
passenger occupation/transit areas> Terminal 2 (Intermodal building): Control lighting and turning off two of the four
“paredes de pavets” based on amount of natural light available.
The amount of electricity used was also monitored in more detail than in previous years so as to allow for a precise determination of the airport’s carbon footprint as part of the Level 1 Airport Carbon Accreditation program, a certification first obtained in 2010.
(1). TU = Air Traffic Unit. For tracking purposes, 1 TU is equivalent to 1 passenger or 100 kg of cargo or 100 kg of mail.
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Annual electricity usage
Annual electricity usage/TU
> Natural gas consumptionNatural gas is used at the airport as fuel for the heating boilers in Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the technical building, as well as to produce part of the hot water in T1 (note: water in T1 is also heated using electrical heaters and by solar thermal energy (STE).
193,954189,649
183,684
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
200,000
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
MW
h
CONSUMO ANUAL ENERGÍA ELÉCTRICA
6.4
5.45.1
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
kWh
per T
U
CONSUMO ANUAL E. ELÉCTRICA / UT
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In 2012 the airport had thirty-one natural gas combustion boilers with a nominal installed thermal power of 43,086 MW (27MW in T1 and 16.086 MW in T2).
The total natural gas consumption in 2012 was 2,988,375 m3.
Of note was: > A 10% reduction in natural gas usage with respect to 2011.
•TheusageinT1was21%lessthanin2011 •TheusageinT2was10%higherthanin2011
The main reason for the reduction in usage versus 2011 was a reduction in the temperature setpoint in the terminals to between 21 and 22º C (in compliance with Royal Decree 1827/2009).
The reduction in usage is even more significant if we consider that the average temperature in the cold months (January-April and November-December) was 1.1º C cooler than in 2011 (2012: 11.5ºC / 2011: 12.6ºC). Source: Weather station at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
By terminals, the drop in consumption in T1 and increase in T2 can also be attributed to the trend in passenger traffic in each, with terminal T2 recovering part of the traffic load it had lost with the opening of the new terminal (T1).
Annual natural gas usage
4,071,845
3,337,625
2,988,375
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
4,000,000
4,500,000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
m3
CONSUMO ANUAL GAS NATURAL
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Natural gas usage/passenger Winter period: January to April, November, December
> Fuel consumption (diesel and gasoline)Fuels (diesel and gasoline) are used primarily to produce electricity in the emergency diesel generators and in the airport’s vehicle fleet.
Overall consumption in 2012 was 175,074 liters.
The distribution was as follows:
Fuel consumption2
2011 2012
Vehicles (liters of diesel and gasoline) 130,495 127,604
Diesel generators (liters of diesel) 56,822 47,468
0.20
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
2009 2010 2011 2012
m3 /
pass
enge
r
CONSUMO GAS NATURAL / PASAJEROperiodo invernal : de noviembre a abril
(2). Source: inventory of greenhouse gas emissions for calculating the carbon footprint for 2011 and 2012.
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With respect to 2011, there was: > An overall drop in consumption of 6.54%. > A 2.2% reduction in the amount of fuel used by vehicles. > A 16.5% reduction in the diesel used by the emergency diesel generators.
As for the reduction in the consumption by the vehicle fleet, we should note that said fleet was reorganized in an effort to optimize routes, uses and assignments. This new planning will include monitoring and review measures to ensure its constant improvement and courses on efficient driving techniques planned for 2013.
The amount of diesel used in the power plants also saw a slight drop due to a reduction in the number of hours the generators were run for testing. In 2012 there were no significant electricity outages, meaning that diesel use in the generators was due solely to planned start-ups and operational tests.
> Water consumptionThe water used at Barcelona - El Prat Airport is supplied internally from ground water aquifers (85% of total usage in 2012) and by the local water utility company (15% of total usage in 2012).
Total water consumption in 2012 was 1,316,396 m3.
Of note was: > A 21% overall increase in the amount of water used in 2012 with respect to
2011. > An almost 19% increase in water consumption/TU in comparison to 2011 (30.70
liters/TU in 2011 and 36.45 liters/TU in 2012).
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Annual water usage
Annual water usage/TU
Possible causes for the increased water usage: > An increase in the number of passengers with respect to the previous year > Increased activity by food service concessionaires > Pumping tests associated with the construction of two new wells > An increase in the volume of water rejected from well 2 in the Potable Water
Treatment Plant (ETAP)
1,200,066
1,084,136
1,316,369
0
150,000
300,000
450,000
600,000
750,000
900,000
1,050,000
1,200,000
1,350,000
1,500,000
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
m3
CONSUMO ANUAL DE AGUA
40
31
36
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
liter
s/ T
U
CONSUMO ANUAL AGUA / UT
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> Wastewater treatmentThe wastewater generated in the various airport buildings and facilities is collected in the airport’s wastewater systems and sent to the city’s wastewater network (with final treatment at the DEPURBAIX wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)).
The wastewater from remote facilities (Airside powerplant (CELA), Lighting Building and Control Tower) is treated in a compact treatment station with pre-treatment before being discharged into the sea.
The daily average discharged into the city sewage network in 2012 was 1,859 m3.
The airport conducts quarterly analyses of the wastewater discharged into the city network. The results of the analyses performed in 2012 are shown below:
Analysis of water taken from the airport’ssewage network to the municipal network (to DEPURBAIX)
15-Mar-12 14-Jun-12 26-Sep-12 20-Dec-12
pH u 7.87 8.68 7.56 7.56
SS (suspended solids) mg/l 132 200 122 358
Decanted COD mg/l 208 131 130 315
Non-decanted COD mg/l 318 288 235 304
Soluble salts (cond. at 20º C) µS/cm 4845 6720 5915 5610
Chlorides mg/l 1036 1610 1424 1221
Organic and ammonium nitrogen mg/l 95 116 70 91
Total phosphates mg/l 7.9 7.7 5.9 11
Oil and grease mg/l <10 14 <10 26
Ammonium mg/l 95 129 82 103
Nitrates mg/l <0.10 <0.1 <0.3 <2
Sulfates mg/l 232 430 360 295
Dissolved sulfur mg/l 0.5 1.7 <1 9
Total sulfur mg/l 9.3 3.8 2.8 9
Temperature ºC 18.1 24 23.8 23.8
TOC mg/l 80 130 40 109
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Wastewater analysis (treated)CELA- Lighting
16-May-12 29-Nov-12
pH (at 25º C) u 7.15 7.85
SS (suspended solids) mg/l 5 <5
COD mg/l <5 <5
Non-decanted COD mg/l 50 41
Soluble salts (cond. at 25º C) µS/cm 6240 5930
Kjeldahl nitrogen mg/l 9 9
TOC mg/l 19 10
Total phosphorus mg/l 10.3 9
Oil and grease mg/l <10 1.1
Temperature ºC 22.2 15
Analysis of treated wastewater fromthe control tower septic tank
16-May-12
pH (at 25º C) u 7.03
SS (suspended solids) mg/l 11
COD mg/l 13
Non-decanted COD mg/l 60
Soluble salts (cond. at 25º C) µS/cm 1602
Kjeldahl nitrogen mg/l 17
TOC mg/l 23
Total phosphorus mg/l 3.7
Oil and grease mg/l <10
Nitrates mg/l <0.1
Temperature ºC 19.8
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> Monitoring of surface and ground water
The Barcelona-El Prat Airport is located on the western half of the Llobregat River delta.
The Llobregat Delta water system consists of two interconnected aquifers, one on the surface (from ground level to approximately 15 m below the surface) and one in the ground (between 30 and 60 m deep).
The relatively flat ground and the high water tables make it hard to drain water from the airport, which tends to pool on the surface. Because of this, the airfield has a series of canals that channel water and direct it to three pumping stations in El Remolar, La Illa and La Roberta. During large rainstorms the pumps route the water outside the airport complex.
Underground, the water flows naturally from the interior to the coast, although some water tends to accumulate in places where the airport water drains.
Maintaining the chemical and ecological quality of the water that flows through airport lands is a priority of the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, which is why the airport employs:
1. Preventive measures: oil-water separators to contain accidental spills.
2. Periodic analyses of the chemical and ecological condition of the surface water within the airport complex, that monitor in particular for concentrations of pollutants. The sample points are selected by considering:
•Therequirementsoftherelevantwaterauthority(CatalanWaterAuthority)
•Thedynamicsofthewatersattheairport
•Thestatusandflowofairportactivities
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Map: Sample points for surface water 1. West apron rain channel 4. La Roberta pumping station 7. L’ Illa pumping station
2. Riera de Les Bogues 5. La Roberta lagoon 8. La Ricarda lagoon
3. El Remolar Lagoon 6. 25L threshold rain channel 9. Telegrafía Marconi rain channel
3. Monitoring and analyses of ground water. The airport has a permit from the Catalan Water Authority to extract water from a deep aquifer via ten different wells. These wells are also used both by the airport and by the relevant agency (Catalan Water Authority and the Llobregat Delta Water Users Group) to analyze the condition of the aquifer, in particular its salinity.
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The map below shows the location of the wells available.
Map: Aquifer sample points:1. DANPO 2 well 5. Granja Ricarda well 8. Well 62. DANPO 1 well 6. Laguna Ricarda well 9. Casa Club Golf 3. ETAP 2 well 7. Well 5 10. Well 2-Golf 4. ETAP 1 well
To keep ground water from seeping into the lower floors of Terminal 1 (train station), the aquifer water is constantly being pumped. This water is channeled 1,200 m offshore through an underwater pipe.
An underwater pipe monitoring plan is sent to the Catalan Water Authority every year. This report contains the results of the analysis of the effluent (water pumped from the train station in the T1 Terminal) and of the discharge point (seawater), as well as a structural monitoring report on the pipe. The results of the analysis of the water pumped from the train station at the T1 Terminal, as required by the permit, were as follows:
Monthly analysis 2012pH
at 25 ºCSS
Conductivity (20 ºC)
January 7.08 29 49100
February 6.87 7 50550
March 6.92 12 50750
April 7.13 8 49200
May 7.31 24 52700
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Monthly analysis 2012pH
at 25 ºCSS
Conductivity (20 ºC)
June 6.99 20 48750
July 7.25 9 48400
August 7.25 13 49950
September 7.18 12 49000
October 7.19 10.1 44000
November 7.19 16 49900
December 7.27 32 51200
> WasteDue to the size of the facilities at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, to the constant passenger traffic and its associated activities, the airport generates a considerable amount of waste, both special (or hazardous) and non-special (paper/cardboard, glass, packaging and other municipal solid waste (MSW)).
The priorities of the Environmental Department at the Barcelona – El Prat Airport in terms of handling the waste generated are:
1. To promote good environmental practices among employees so as to minimize the amount of waste generated.
2. To ensure waste is properly sorted, collected and handled.
3. To reduce all other waste generated at the airport.
To achieve these goals, the Environmental Department tracks the amount of waste generated by the various activities at the airport. This tracking is carried out through the operational monitoring of the activities and waste storage areas of Aena Aeropuertos, as well as through the periodic environmental monitoring of contractors and concessionaires.
The Barcelona-El Prat Airport also makes available to employees and passengers alike the means and facilities for separating the waste that is generated while allowing for the improved handling of said waste:
Inside the terminals:
> Automatic pneumatic waste collection system in T1: this system features fixed drop
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boxes into which users (restaurant and store employees) can deposit waste. The Barcelona-El Prat Airport has 15 pneumatic reception rooms distributed throughout the different floors of the terminal that collect the paper, organic trash, packaging and MSW dropped off by users.
> Selective drop-off containers in T1: located in the T1 logistics road, the glass and cardboard waste generated by the restaurants and stores and not accepted in the pneumatic system is dropped off here).
> Ecopoints: these are collection points for paper and packaging, located in the terminals and in office areas.
> Sorting containers located in restaurants: Aena Aeropuertos’ Environmental Department ensures that all of the food service areas in both terminals have containers for the sorting of the different types of trash generated by this activity.
Outside terminals (roads, both airside and landside):
> Sorting containers: the airport has 95 containers for paper/cardboard and 9 for packaging. They are placed alongside the roads both airside and landside.
> Paper compactors: located in the T2 Terminal, they allow for more efficient handling of this waste, whether generated by outside companies or by Aena Aeropuertos.
> Containers for glass: located curbside in Terminal T2 and in the technical building, they are used to process the glass that is generated primarily by restaurants.
> Others: the Barcelona – El Prat Airport also has a compactor in T2 for organic material, 18 can compactors, 6 containers for batteries and 13 containers for toner cartridges.
The facilities listed above allow for the efficient sorting and handling of the non-hazardous waste generated by all of the companies that do business at the airport. The Environmental Department ensures that these facilities are properly used in an effort to ensure constant improvement in the sorting of the waste generated at the airport.
In addition, the activities that take place at the airport, which include aircraft, vehicle and facilities maintenance, providing medical care to passengers and employees, etc., generate a significant amount of special, or hazardous, waste. To facilitate the handling of this waste the Barcelona-El Prat Airport has a Temporary Waste Transfer Plant (TW TP), available to companies that do business at the airport, that accepts both hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
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The main types of hazardous waste deposited by companies at the TWTP are:
> Batteries> Light bulbs> Mineral oils> Contaminated empty containers> Absorbents and rags soaked with oil or other hazardous materials> Oil filters> Aerosols> Used oil cans> Fire extinguishers> Aviation fuel (from fuel purges)
The sections below list the amount of waste generated at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport in 2012 that was processed at the facilities made available by the airport to companies and employees (that is, waste deposited in the pneumatic system, the selective drop-off containers, and in other sorting containers in terminals and roadside and in the TWTP).
Generation of non-hazardous waste
Since 2006, over 30% of the municipal solid waste generated at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport has been sorted for recycling. Despite being a respectable figure, improving the amount of trash sorted for recycling continues to be one of the main targets of the Environmental Management System.
Starting in mid-2009, after the opening of Terminal 1, the airport made certain changes in the way trash is collected. One of the most important was the elimination of the door-to-door pick up service for the restaurant companies operating at the airport which, since that same date, have had to take their waste to designated waste drop-off points at the airport. The response and involvement of the personnel of these companies has been commendable and thanks to their efforts, the expected decrease in the sorting of waste has been limited, always remaining above 30%.
In 2012 a total of 4,991,636 Kg of non-hazardous waste was generated, of which 1,671,996 Kg was recyclable (paper/cardboard, packaging, glass and organic) and 3,319,640 Kg was not.
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In percentage terms, 33% of the non-hazardous waste generated was recycled in 2012, a 2% improvement over the figure attained in 2011. The amount of glass collected went down, as did the “other recyclables” group (which includes scrap metal, wood and tires). In contrast, we should note the significant increase in the amount of organic waste generated in the terminal buildings, mainly as a result of food services activities. The amount of organic material generated in terminal T2 reached 5,460 tons in 2011, which increased to 51,760 tons in 2012. This increase is attributed to the greater use of the organic material compactor by food services staff. This higher use stemmed from the purchase of a container tipping device by Aena Aeropuertos, S.A. in September 2011, as well as from awareness campaigns conducted with food services personnel.
Percentage of trash recycled
11%
17% 17%
28%
35%31%
32%36%
33% 31% 33%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Recy
cled
was
te (%
)
Organic
Packaging
Paper
Glass
Other recyclables
4%
10%
15%
3%
1%
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The table below shows the amount of non-hazardous waste generated at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, broken down by type:
Year Other Glass
recycla-bles
Glass Paper Packa-ging
Organic Rest Total muni-cipal
waste
Total waste
recycled
% recycled (out of total MSW generated)
2001 15,820 - 171,230 - - 2,733,834 2,920,884 187,050 6%
2002 47,773 40,100 222,190 11,394 - 2,512,457 2,833,914 321,457 11%
2003 65,894 75,600 356,896 31,148 - 2,501,846 3,031,384 529,538 17%
2004 65,449 80,700 390,225 37,250 - 2,753,970 3,327,594 573,624 17%
2005 57,620 83,830 555,695 64,430 296,308 2,681,040 3,738,923 1,057,883 28%
2006 115,500 97,580 559,710 113,620 547,490 2,717,690 4,151,590 1,433,900 35%
2007 85,030 88,980 546,970 268,590 577,480 3,542,990 5,110,040 1,567,050 31%
2008 77,810 105,260 531,140 381,260 482,590 3,300,060 4,878,120 1,578,060 32%
2009 69,930 116,100 659,050 307,600 461,590 2,903,320 4,517,590 1,614,270 36%
2010 72,570 166,480 786,580 309,240 149,360 3,023,480 4,507,710 1,484,230 33%
2011 71,430 214,800 746,120 342,270 128,880 3,302,520 4,806,020 1,503,500 31%
2012 58,696 166,580 754,420 483,920 208,380 3,319,640 4,991,636 1,671,996 33%
Part of the selective pick-up of waste at the Barcelona Airport is done by personnel from the private TRINIJOVE Foundation (which provides job and social placement programs for the disadvantaged), and with which Aena Aeropuertos S.A. has a partnership contract. Also involved in the partnership are companies like as ARPAL, ECOEMBES and ECOVIDRIO, as well as Catalonia’s own waste agency, which provides support through related awareness campaigns.
Special waste
Hazardous waste at the Barcelona – El Prat Airport is handled in one of two ways: > The producer of the waste (contractor, concessionaire or Aena Aeropuertos) delivers it
to an authorized waste transporter for subsequent processing at an authorized facility, or> The producer of the waste delivers it to the Temporary Waste Transfer Plant at the
airport where Aena Aeropuertos S.A. arranges for the waste to be picked up by authorized transporters and taken to an authorized processing facility.
In 2012 the TWTP handled 34,300 kg of hazardous waste. In contrast, Aena Aeropuertos directly handled 51,738 kg of waste (without sending it through the TWTP). This mainly involved waste from cleaning the oil separators and rubber residue from cleaning the runways.
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The graph below shows the annual trend in the amount of hazardous waste handled by the airport’s TWTP.
Yearly trend in the amount of hazardous waste handled by the TWTP
* Note: the hazardous waste listed in this report reflects the waste generated by Aena Aeropuertos and that processed by contractors and concessionaires through Aena Aeropuertos’ temporary waste transfer plant, meaning that any year-to-year fluctuations in the amounts generated may not reflect improved environmental management, but rather factors such as contractors or concessionaires taking their waste directly to external handlers without going through the temporary waste transfer plant
> Noise emissionsThe Barcelona – El Prat Airport monitors its noise emissions by way of the Noise Information System (SIR/BCN), which analyzes aviation-related noise pollution by using data recorded at thirteen fixed noise measuring terminals (TMR in Spanish). There are also three mobile units for specific noise-monitoring campaigns.
The system has a central processor that gathers and analyzes information on flight paths and flight plans, along with the data supplied by the measuring terminals.
Each terminal samples noise levels continuously. This information is processed, stored and transmitted to the processing unit. By using a threshold-based pattern recognition system and detection algorithms and correlating these with the paths of passing aircraft, the system can identify and pick out aviation noise from that produced by other sources, such as road or train traffic.
0
2,000
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Soaked rags
Motor oil Largebatteries
Contaminated empty packaging
Light bulbs Refrigerators Small batteries
2010
2011
2012
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The noise measuring terminals are strategically located around the airport in areas likely to be affected by noise from approaching and departing aircraft. Their locations are selected so as to provide easily measurable ambient noise levels in their detection range, in keeping with the criteria set up by the CSAAB (Commission to Monitor the Expansion of the Barcelona – El Prat Airport).
Their current locations are:
> TMR-2: El Remolar Cultural Center– C. Ramon Llull s/n. El Prat de Llobregat. Temporarily out of service since June 2012 pending a change in location.
> TMR-3: 25R glide path, Barcelona-El Prat Airport> TMR-4: 07L glide path, Barcelona-El Prat Airport> TMR-5: 25L glide path, Barcelona-El Prat Airport Prat> TMR-6: 07R glide path, Barcelona-El Prat Airport Prat> TMR-8: Gavà Mar Service Center– C. Tellinaires, 55 Gavà.> TMR-9: Outer marker - Paseo Marítimo s/n. Castelldefels> TMR-10: Edumar School – C. Granada, 18. Castelldefels> TMR-12: Castelldefels Town Hall – Plaza de la Iglesia, 1. Castelldefels> TMR-21: Jaume Balmes School, C/ Riu Ebre, 20-30. El Prat de Llobregat> TMR-40: Ballena Alegre Campground- Autovía de Castelldefels Km 12,5. Viladecans> TMR-41: Bon Soleil School- Camino de la Pava 15. Gavà> TMR-42: Agricultural Park – Camino de las Filipinas s/n. Viladecans
Map: Locations of noise measuring terminals
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Noise levels were strictly monitored in 2011, both those referenced in the Barcelona - El Prat Airport’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (indices: day and night) as well as those required by Royal Decree 1367/2007 (indices: morning, afternoon and night). This information:
> Was sent periodically to various town halls and agencies.
> Was published on the Aena website, along with monthly reports on acoustic levels, aviation operations and adherence to flight paths.
In addition, since July 2010, the Barcelona - El Prat Airport has had available to the public an interactive noise map (WebTrak) that provides real-time information on noise levels and flight paths.
The negative impact on the public resulting from multiple noise events over a given period of time is expressed in terms of LEQ (equivalent continuous level), which is broken down into:
Leq TotalThe equivalent continuous level is the sound level generated by all noise sources at the noise monitoring terminal at the time period in question.
Leq AirplaneThe equivalent continuous level is the sound level that would have been generated at the noise monitoring terminal at the time period in question if there had been no noise other than that produced by airplanes.
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The graphs below show the trend in average sound levels obtained with the SIR-BCN in the terminals outside the airport complex:
Annual comparison 2006-2012Leq Airplane Day
Annual comparison 2006-2012Leq Airplane Night
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Note:
> A comparison of the annual levels at the noise measuring terminals reveals that the levels recorded in 2012 were generally below those recorded in 2011, given the lower number of total operations (302,456 in 2011 versus 289,445 in 2012 – Source: Air Navigation).
> During the daytime, the most significant decrease was in sound meters 8, 9, 10, 41 and 42, which are directly affected by the east configuration that prevails during the daytime, the use of which went down as compared to the previous year (20.1% in 2011 and 12.8% in 2012). The nighttime level at TMR-40 was very similar to that from the previous year because even though the WRL (daytime west preferred) configuration was used more, this was offset by the lower total number of operations. TMR 2, 12 and 21, because of their location, are not subjected to overflying aircraft, and thus their analysis is not as direct.
> The nighttime levels also revealed a significant decrease with respect to 2011, due mainly to the drop in the number of operations.
> Of note is the fact that from July 2011 until April 2012 work was done to upgrade the cross runway (02/20), which resulted in:
•Greateruseofthepreferreddaytimeconfigurationsafter11pm.
•Theclosingofrunway02/20,makingitimpossibletousetheENRandENLconfigurations.
These temporary measures translated into higher sound levels at night, the effects of which were lower in 2012, as they were only in use for four months (as compared to the six months these measures were in place in 2011).
This work guaranteed the continued use of the cross runway, and therefore its use in the nighttime configuration, to the benefit of neighborhoods around the airport, while at the same time minimizing the impact on operations.
As in 2011, the sound meter with the highest nighttime levels was TMR-40, due to takeoffs from 25L in a WLL configuration (nighttime west preferred).
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> Air quality at airport facilitiesThe Barcelona-El Prat Airport monitors inhalation levels for atmospheric pollutants inside the airport complex and in the municipalities of Viladecans, El Prat de Llobregat and Gavà (neighborhoods bordering on the airport). The air quality is monitored by measuring the inhalation levels of gases and particulates at control stations run by Aena Aeropuertos S.A. and located in the aforementioned municipalities.
Also, a program has been in place since 2008 to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOX) and particulate matter less tan 10 microns in diameter (PM10). The goal of this program is to minimize the emissions of these pollutants, which are generated during various airport activities.
As for the monitoring and control of greenhouse gas emissions, two relevant actions are worth mentioning:
1. The calculation of the airport’s carbon footprint resulting from the airport’s own activities for 2011 and 2012.
2. The airport’s involvement in the carbon dioxide emissions trade since 1 January 2010.
Monitoring air quality in the airport complex
Aena Aeropuertos S.A. monitors pollutant inhalation levels both inside the airport complex and in nearby neighborhoods, as required by the stipulations in the EIS for the expansion of the airport. The airport is part of the Xarxa de Vigilància i Prevenció de la Contaminació Atmosfèrica (XVPCA) of the Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
The outdoor stations used to monitor air quality are distributed in the municipalities of El Prat de Llobregat, Viladecans and Castelldefels. There is also another station situated inside the airport, next to runway 07R-25L.
The stations take constant readings. They are equipped with sensors that automatically measure key atmospheric pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), benzene (C6H6) and particulates (PM10 and PM2.5). They also measure weather conditions.
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Map: Location of air quality monitoring stations
The data provided by the monitoring stations are used to constantly track the main atmospheric pollutants. Sampling campaigns are also carried out to determine inhalation levels for lead (Pb) and particulates (PM10 and PM2.5), pollutants that are impossible to measure continuously. The data for these atmospheric pollutants is checked and pre-validated by the Environmental Department at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport and then published by the Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
The readings obtained are used to evaluate the air quality based on the criteria for the protection of human health that are specified in applicable laws. The table below shows the average annual values for the inhalation levels of the pollutants that are analyzed in the air quality measuring stations:
Air quality values recorded at the Aena Aeropuertos S.A. stations
CO NO NO2 O3 SO2 PM2.5 PM10 Pb C6H6
YEAR STATION mg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 ng/m3 µg/m3
2011
G1-Airport 0.36 12.2 26.1 51.8 6.6 13.5 23.2 23.0 0.8
G5-El Prat 0.38 17.7 36.5 42.4 2.8 15.8 28.6 25.1 0.9
G3-Viladecans 0.29 9.2 17.8 56.4 2.8 14.1 22.9 10.4 0.7
G4-Gavà 0.29 5.9 14.9 54.1 2.8 9.8 18.1 9.4 0.8
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Air quality values recorded at the Aena Aeropuertos S.A. stations
CO NO NO2 O3 SO2 PM2.5 PM10 Pb C6H6
YEAR STATION mg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 ng/m3 µg/m3
2012
G1-Aeropuerto 0.39 10.6 27.7 55.1 5.9 14.6 24.0 22.7 0.8
G5-El Prat 0.37 22.3 37.6 39.1 2.1 14.7 25.8 24.0 0.8
G3-Viladecans 0.31 8.4 20.0 59.0 2.7 14.5 21.0 11.6 0.9
G4-Gavà 0.25 5.4 14.6 59.4 2.5 13.4 22.5 10.6 0.8
Note: Stations G3, G4 & G5: data pre-validated by the Env. Dept. and validated by the Government of Catalonia. Station G1: data validated by the Env. Dept.
The graphs below show the variations in pollutant inhalation levels recorded at the station located on airport grounds during 2012.
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SO2 inhalation value: hourly avg.SO2 inhalation value: daily avg.Hourly limit value for the protection of human healthDaily limit value for the protection of human health
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³NOx [ µg/m³]
NOx inhalation level – Hourly avg.
Hourly limit value for the protection of human health
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Maximum daily value of 8-hour mobile readings Objective value for the protection of human health
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Action plan to reduce the emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulates (PM10)
In 2008, in compliance with Decrees 226/2006 and 152/2007, the Barcelona-El Prat Airport delivered an action plan to the Catalonian Regional Government to reduce emissions of nitrogen dioxide and PM10 particulates. This plan sets out the steps to be taken by the airport to reduce said pollutants, and are based on three courses of action:
•Optimizingaircraftoperationsontheground
•Replacingdiesel-drivengroundserviceequipment(GSE)withelectricallypoweredequipment
•Optimizingtheuseofauxiliarypowerunits(APU)onaircraft
The implementation and tracking of this program has allowed for a gradual improvement in air quality through a reduction in the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2) and other atmospheric pollutants, such as carbon oxides (monoxide and carbon dioxide) and particulates (PM10 and PM2.5).
In late 2011 the regional government published the base document in the action plan to improve air quality by 2015 (PAMQA), which is a continuation of the action plan
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Average
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mentioned earlier and includes two new measures on top of the three currently in place at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport. These two new measures are:
•Plantomakeiteasierforpeopletoreachtheairport•Reducestationaryemissionssourcesattheairport
The final PAMQA document is currently being processed. Aena Aeropuertos S.A. has already taken the steps needed to implement and monitor the new measures, and is continuing with the three earlier measures.
Greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon footprint
CO2 emissions report to calculate the airport’s carbon footprint
The airport renewed the report on CO2 emissions for the years 2011 and 2012. This report was validated by an accredited agency. Calculating the airport’s carbon footprint and the information it yields is necessary if the airport is to follow up on its achievement in 2010: Level 1 accreditation (mapping) in the industry’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program.
The emissions included in the footprint are associated with the following activities:
1. Direct emissions
•Stationarycombustion:dieselgenerators,heatingboilersandfirefightingservicetraining.
•Mobilecombustion:lightandheavyvehiclesownedbyAenaAeropuertosS.A.
2. Indirect emissions
•Electricity:climatecontrol,lightingandoperationofvariousfacilities.
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Authorization to emit greenhouse gases (Facilities affected by the European Greenhouse Gas Emission Allowance Trading Scheme)
Emission allowance trading is one of the mechanisms envisaged by the Kyoto Protocol to reduce man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
Law 1/2005 of 9 March, which regulates the trade in greenhouse gas (GHG) allowances, establishes the obligation for all facilities where any of the activities specified in Annex I of said law take place to have a permit to issue greenhouse gases.
The airport has such a permit to emit greenhouse gases (trading period 2008-2012) for the following facilities:
•Thenaturalgascombustionfacilitythatprovidesheat(climatecontrol)toTerminal2and the Aena offices at the Barcelona - El Prat Airport.
•Thenaturalgascombustionfacilitythatprovidesheat(climatecontrolandpartofthehot water) to Terminal 1 at the Barcelona - El Prat Airport.
The airport tracks GHG emissions from these facilities and reports them annually, as required by the stipulations in the European regulation. The airport also takes part in the European market to buy and sell emissions allowances.
The Barcelona - El Prat Airport joined the trading regime on 1 January 2010, meaning that 2012 was the third year of monitoring and reporting the emissions of CO2 generated in the airport’s facilities under the existing authorization.
In 2012 the airport emitted 6,445 tons of CO2.
CO2 emissions from natural gas for heating
8,788
7,202
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The previous graph shows the gradual reduction in the amount of CO2 emissions at the airport due to the more efficient use of heating in the past three years. The improved management of the heating facilities and the lower temperature setpoint (21-22º C) in the terminals during the winter, as required by Royal Decree 1826/2009, allowed for a gradual reduction in the consumption of natural gas, and therefore in the associated emissions.
The 2008-2012 trading period ended at the conclusion of 2012.
The next trading period (2013-2020) started on 1 January 2013. For this new period the airport already has its GHG emissions permit and the corresponding emissions allowances until 2020.
> Wildlife controlThe Barcelona – El Prat Airport is located on the Llobregat Delta, an area it shares with the Ricarda-Ca l’Arana, Remolar-Filipinas and Murtra lagoon natural areas, which are included in the Plan for Areas of Natural Interest (PEIN). The PEIN is a territorial plan developed by the Government of Catalonia as part of its zoning program and whose purpose is to provide basic protection to areas of ecological and scenic interest, without prejudice to the activities that are traditionally carried out in these areas.
In addition, various parts of the delta (Ricarda-ca l’Arana, Remolar-Filipinas, the Prat shoreline, els Reguerons and La Murtra) are listed as special protection areas for birds.
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As it has every year since 1996, the Barcelona – El Prat Airport continued to carry out its wildlife control activity, which involves the use of birds of prey to control bird populations naturally. The aim is to keep the airport complex clear of birds, as well as to control any type of animal that could pose a hazard to ground equipment or airport facilities so as to ensure the safety of aircraft and related equipment. The falconry team is in direct contact with the control tower. Its work is basically one of prevention and anticipation, and involves a daily schedule for the systematic removal of wildlife from the airport.
This service offers advantages such as not upsetting the ecosystem in place at the airport, not interfering with routine airport operations, and especially, a high reliability since, unlike other bird control methods, birds never get used to the presence of their natural predators.
The airport is also continuing to engage in actions as part of the Program to Manage the Risk of Bird Strikes (PIRCA in Spanish). The latest actions implemented or in progress are as follows:
• Habitat management: Control of the vegetation on the airfield, management of canals and other sources of water and removal of perches from the airfield.
The monitoring carried out in 2011 confirmed that areas where the vegetation grows to between 20 and 40 cm (as recommended in the PIRCA) also exhibit the lowest bird populations. This confirms the need to adhere to the vegetation criteria specified in the PIRCA, paying particular attention to the height of the vegetation as well as to other aspects, such as preventing the sprouting and production of seeds or avoiding mowing once seeds sprout so as to reduce the scattering of seeds.
In the spring of 2011, a pilot program was arranged with the Airfield and Roads Maintenance Department to determine the composition of the airport’s land and the most adequate method of managing it so as to minimize the presence of birds on airport property. As a result of the work going on in the airport complex, it was not possible to carry out the sowing needed for this pilot program until the fall of 2012. The program was advised by professors from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia’s School of Agriculture, who determined the seed mixtures that could be used.
The pilot program was carried out near the runway 20 threshold, a location where aircraft operations were relatively unaffected by the program and that had a high presence of kestrels (bird that feeds on grasshoppers and the like and the second most common species involved in bird strikes at the airport). The different vegetation mixes and management methods used were:
•Plot1.Controlplotwithexistingvegetationkeptatbetween5-10cm(the characteristics of this plot, adjacent to the runway 20 threshold, must be kept as they are for reasons of air navigation).
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•Plot2.Controlplotwithexistingvegetationkeptatbetween20-40cm.
•Plot3.PlantedwithsterilegrassesthatdonotproduceseedsofthePaspalum Vaginatum MARINA species, which is very tolerant of salty water.
•Plot4.Plantedwithgrassesinoculatedwithendophyticfungi.
COnce these plots were seeded they were monitored for the presence of birds. Several monthly surveys are carried out, each lasting 15 minutes, to gather information on the types of birds that frequent the plots (number, behavior, etc.). This monitoring was planned to continue throughout all of 2013 so that sufficient data would be available to extract useful conclusions.
Surveys of insect populations were also carried out on the plots to determine whether the presence of the endophytic fungi manages to reduce their presence, and thus that of carnivore bird species. An initial survey was planned for the spring of 2013, followed by a second in late summer or early fall.
• Trapping campaigns
One of the preventive control actions that is applied in various airports is the catching and subsequent removal of birds of these species, an action that has been undertaken at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport by the Wildlife Control Service (WCS) for six years. In 2006 the WCS started trapping buzzards and in 2007 kestrels. The birds are caught using traps that contain bait specific to each of the two species: small mice for buzzards and grasshoppers for kestrels. Until 2009 mice were also used to capture kestrels, but in that year the WCS started using grasshoppers, which were noted to be much more appealing to the birds resulting in much higher capture rates.
The WCS organizes several trapping campaigns each year, coinciding with the weather most suited to the two species. For the buzzard this means fall or winter (from November to February), while for the kestrel it means primarily the summer (from July to September). Sometimes a campaign may have to be extended longer than planned (or started ahead of time), depending on the abundance of the species in question (as was the case in 2012, when trapping campaigns were extended until November).
These campaigns managed to trap 359 birds, 83 in 2012. The birds were released the same or the following day in spots generally located at least 50 kilometers away from the airport, and in compliance with the specifications included in the correspondingpermits. The number of birds of each species captured were as follows:
•Commonkestrel:318specimens(88%),72in2012.
•Buzzard:31specimens(9%),10in2012.
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•Lesserkestrel:10specimens(3%),1in2012.Theplanwasnotinitiallyaimed at this species, meaning the birds caught were handed over to the Government of Catalonia’s Department of the Environment and Biodiversity.
• Actions around the airport complex
Of note in this regard is the management of great cormorant roosts. During the 2012-13 winter, the Barcelona-El Prat Airport once more asked the Government of Catalonia’s Department of the Environment and Biodiversity for a permit to remove cormorants that tried to set up roosts in trees in La Ricarda, and especially in El Remolar.
The cormorants started using the nesting sites in El Remolar in early October of 2012, at which time the WCS commenced preparations to carry out the removal of the nests. The removal of this nesting site has been ongoing since 2011 with the aid of a laser flashlight (which can be used from within the airport complex without affecting other species that nest in the special protection area). The WCS drafted a protocol that was approved by the airport’s Operational Safety Department and ensured that normal aircraft operations would not be affected. The removals were also coordinated with the control tower to further minimize any disturbances to aircraft traffic.
The nests were removed in early November 2012 and contained about 80 birds. In less than a week (and after four sessions using the laser flashlight), the number of cormorants dropped to three. Daily controls done afterwards to keep new birds from moving in confirmed that, with almost no exceptions, the roost is still empty.
The results from the removal operations carried out last winter, as well as from prior operations, show that this initiative is very effective in removing cormorants over the short and medium term, since very little effort is required to empty the roost, which remains empty for the entire winter.
The results, however, also confirmed the need to act over several years to keep cormorants away from a nesting site permanently. They also reaffirm the need to provide cormorants with alternative roosting sites, especially once work recommences in the old Llobregat River basin and the cormorants are unable to settle in their primary roosting site.
• Managing the risk of bird strikes and actions to disseminate the program.
In terms of the actions taken around the airport complex, of note is the creation of the Commission for Monitoring Bird Strikes (CSIA). CSIA meetings are intended to be a forum for the exchange of information between the Barcelona-El Prat Airport and outside agencies (officials involved in wildlife management, natural areas and other activities or uses of land that could attract birds) in an effort to secure their
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involvement and cooperation in the initiatives that are implemented to reduce the risk of bird strikes both inside the airport complex and in surrounding areas.
The third meeting of the CSIA was held on 26 November 2012 and was attended by 23 representatives from ten organizations, including representatives from five airport departments and the WCS.
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> Environmental monitoring of companies
Aena Aeropuertos S.A. monitors the environmental impact of the activities carried out by concessionaires and contractors at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
The environmental monitoring of these activities is carried out through the Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP), which is a document that every company must fill out prior to starting its activity and which describes all of its environmental impacts (generation of waste, discharges, storage of products, equipment and vehicle maintenance, atmospheric emissions, noise pollution, effects on ecosystems and flora/fauna, use of resources, etc.).
The Environmental Department at the airport periodically monitors the activities, specific aspects of which are covered by the EMP. The results of this environmental monitoring are compiled in a tracking report that contains information about the concessionaire’s/contractor’s environmental performance and the corrective, preventive and improvement actions proposed.
Concessionaires
Concessionary companies are those that are given operating rights to carry out an activity for a certain period of time at airport facilities. The most common such companies engage in commercial activities (restaurants, stores, car rental, etc.) and air transport and aircraft support and maintenance (fuel supply, cargo, handling, catering, etc.).
In 2012, 97 environmental monitoring activities were carried out involving 61 concessionaires.
The purpose of this monitoring is not only to track the companies’ behavior and their compliance with the airport’s environmental regulations, but also to establish regular contact with these companies, to raise awareness and to provide them with support in environmental matters so as to continuously improve the environmental management of the airport complex.
Along these lines, the airport is working in particular with restaurant concessionaires in an effort to have these companies sort the majority of the trash that is generated in their facilities.
As for new concessionaires, the initial environmental tracking efforts are intended more to raise awareness and provide information, rather than monitor, and aim to familiarize companies with the airport’s environmental infrastructure as well as with environmental regulations and requirements.
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Annual monitoring of concessionaires and contractors
Contractors
External contractors carry out the construction or maintenance work that is awarded by Aena through public bidding processes. Every contract at the airport that has associated with it a significant environmental impact is tracked through the environmental monitoring process. This process involves visiting the facilities leased to the company and those parts of the airport where they engage in their activities pursuant to the contract, and assessing the environmental performance of the company over the course of its activity. This assessment considers, among other things, the degree of compliance with the Environmental Monitoring Program presented by the company before the start of the activity and with the airport’s environmental regulations and with other applicable legal requirements.
In 2012, 234 environmental monitoring activities were conducted involving 88 contracted construction or service activities.
The monitoring activities carried out showed that in general, the contractors at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport are carrying out their activities in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and requirements. This is reflected by the score obtained in the environmental monitoring, with an average score of 9.7 (out of 10) being awarded in 2012, in line with results from previous years.
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Average annual score of EMP inspections of contractors
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