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FRA/rap> Fraport AG, the manager and owner of Frankfurt Airport (FRA), has unveiled a "six-point program to step up climate protection and preserve the natural resources of the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region."  Speaking at a press conference last week in Frankfurt, executive board chairman Dr. Wilhelm Bender said that  reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per passenger by 30 percent from the 2005 level by 2020 is "an ambitious strategic goal that must be vigorously pursued." As Bender explained, this will save about 130,00 metric tons of CO₂:  corresponding to the annual emission volume of more than 35,000 medium-sized cars, the carbon content of approximately 60 hectares of deciduous forest, or the annual consumption of around 3,000 four-person households.

Fraport's chairman stated that Frankfurt Airport's expansion –  "a national  task of significance for the future" – will be solved in a carbon-neutral way.  The additional energy consumption associated with expansion and the ensuing higher carbon dioxide emissions will be offset by savings in other areas.  For example, Bender cited improvements in the energy efficiency of office and service buildings, the use of state-of-the-art information and communications technology to reduce fuel consumption, reorganization of ground power supply for aircraft by eliminating diesel-powered mobile ground-power units, as well as energy-efficient heating and lighting.

He explained that by using "green electricity" – certified  electricity stemming mainly from hydroelectric power production – Fraport will noticeably reduce CO₂ emissions at FRA in the years 2008 and 2009 to 65,000 metric tons, down from 250,000 metric tons in 2006.  "This 75 percent reduction represents a great leap toward improved climate protection," Bender stated.

Furthermore, Bender stressed that Fraport will strive to make the future Terminal 3 – a major element of  FRA's planned Airport Expansion Program – an "eco terminal".  The use of energy-efficient, innovative building engineering and design will ensure a "low-emission terminal" that benefits from opportunities resulting from geothermal energy and photovoltaic technology.

Fraport's chairman considers it important that "the sense of shared identity within the company also includes each individual employee's willingness to change his behaviour towards energy consumption".  The entire Fraport team must be aware of its responsibility for conserving a liveable environment and ensuring sustainable development.  Increased use of renewable energies is also an issue.  In this context, Fraport is considering construction of a geothermal power plant at Frankfurt Airport to reduce carbon emissions.   Currently, a feasibility study is being conducted to determine how this can be realized.

"For the sake of the environment, no more time can be wasted in holding patterns," he said.  Demand-driven expansion of the airport's capacity is therefore the order of the day.  Fast implementation of the Single European Sky (air traffic control) concept and more efficient aircraft technology will also contribute considerably to greater climate protection.

Bender also sees significant potential in reducing carbon emissions by further advancing intermodal concepts for the intelligent integration of air, rail and road transportation networks.  Such concepts not only reduce emissions and protect the environment but also strengthen FRA's competitiveness.  This also includes the ongoing development of products which optimize passenger and employee transportation to the airport, such as the promotion of high-speed rail, improvement of public transport  services in cooperation with public transit organizations, as well as the "Job Ticket" program for Fraport employees.  In the cargo sector, Fraport is committed to  shifting truck traffic from the highways to the rail system (eg., Cargo Express Frankfurt–Leipzig in cooperation with DHL).

Fraport AG's recently issued Sustainability Report 2007 – Fairplay can be downloaded from the Fraport website at www.fraport.com, click on menu item "Environment", then select "Sustainability". This report  provides detailed  information on strategies and concrete measures taken by Fraport AG to ensure ecological, economic and commercially responsible development of the company.