Airports and Climate Protection: Planning and Adaptation

ACI-NA 2007 Environmental Affairs Seminar

September 30, 2007 Presented at the

Pamela Vanderbilt CH2M HILL, 2485 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 600, Sacramento, CA 95833

Aviation GHG Emissions

CO2,

CH4, N2O, SF6, HFCs, PFCs, water vapor, ozone, ultrafine particulate matter Estimate of aviation's share in climate change ~ 3.5% of the total human contribution; growing to 5-15% in 2050 Contrails Cirrus cover effects

New Focal Point for Airport Opposition

And Politicians too: Major GHG Bills in 110th Congress

A wide variety of policies, laws, and regulations are being proposed at all levels of government: international, federal, regional, state, and local.

Responses to Climate Change

Mitigation:
Actions to slow down or reverse the rate of climate change

Adaptation:
Structural or management changes that minimize risk in the face of climate change

Mitigation

Airport GHG Mitigation Programs Span the Globe

Reduction of fuel use, or use of alternative fuels in vehicles and GSE Reduction of aircraft fuel use through enhanced aircraft, engines, and airport operating efficiency Energy conservation Solid waste management and recycling Sustainability programs Community outreach and education

The Benefits of Alternative Fuels: California Low-Carbon Fuel Standard

Percentage reduction in global warming impacts compared to CA reformulated gasoline (CA RFG) Comparisons for various fuels Standardization using grams CO2 / MJ (megajoule) Life cycle assessment (LCA) model

TABLE 1. REDUCTIONS IN GLOBAL WARMING IMPACTS ESTIMATED FOR CALIFORNIA ALTERNATIVE FUELS California Fuel Percentage Reduction in Global Warming Impacts by Comparison to CA RFG 15% 15% 20% 65% 75% 45% 70% 75%

Compressed Natural Gas from North America Propane from Petroleum Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Produced in California Biodiesel from Midwest Soybeans Hydrogen Biomass Delivered by Pipeline Hydrogen from Steam-Reformation of Onsite Natural Gas Electricity California Average Electricity Electricity Natural Gas Combined Cycle and Renewable Generation

Percentages estimated from values in Table ES-3 of the study titled, A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard for California, Farrell, Sperling, et al, May 2007.

Adaptation

Role of Adaptation
Technological and behavioral adaptation can reduce vulnerability

Four points to consider:

Adaptation is not without cost Economic and social costs of adaptation will increase with more rapid change We are in the learning phase regarding opportunities adaptation Uncertainties exist about the efficacy and by-products of adaptive strategies

Need to Adapt May be Triggered by Changes, or Projected Risks

Hydrologic cycles Temperature means and extremes Rising sea levels, glacial melt Precipitation changes (frequency, distribution, magnitude of events) Limits on resources or supplies Freeze/thaw variations

What Adaptations May Be Needed

Seawalls, coastal protection Infrastructure reinforcement Shelters, emergency management Fuel and energy independence Response programs for airport capacity disruptions with more frequent bad weather Storm water management

Weather-Related Changes May Affect Your Most Costly Operations/Assets:

Management of airport infrastructure Facility design performance Deicing capacity Stormwater management Watershed management, flood protection Water resources and supply Water and wastewater treatment Vegetative ground cover and dust control Insurance and legal liability

Sunday, Sunday

Questions?