Hamad International Airport (HIA) has announced its latest initiative committed to boosting sustainable and energy-saving practices at the world-class hub - the Energy Savings and Performance Awards.

Implemented by HIA’s Energy Working Group (EWG), the award scheme champions airport stakeholders and facilities management contractors that continue to implement energy-saving strategies in their various fields of operations at HIA, according to a press statement.

The award scheme concluded in a ceremony that took place at the airport.

The Energy Saving and Performance Awards comprised three categories: Best Energy Conservation Project, Best Contractor for Energy Savings and Best Stakeholder for Energy Savings.

Invitations across these categories were disseminated to all parties concerned, leading to a total of 17 applications received across Best Energy Conservation Project and Best Contractor for Energy Savings. A total of 10 stakeholders were considered for the Best Stakeholder for Energy Savings Category.

All business units of Qatar Airways Group, stakeholders and contractors who have contributed to the improvement of HIA energy efficiency were considered for the awards.

Michael McMillan, vice-president - Facilities Management, said: “We are proud of HIA’s Energy Working Group for implementing an initiative that not only recognises those who are taking considerable strides in sustainable airport operations, but also encourages our stakeholders and contractors at large to take our environment and its future as seriously as we do.

“HIA’s Energy Working Group has made significant progress since officially being launched in 2016. All of our members are not only well-versed on the importance of energy reduction and its association with carbon emissions and climate change, but are also committed to tackling environmental challenges and implementing more sustainable practice across our operations.

"While we are proud to see that EWG is taking its work one step further by recognising those who make active efforts in reducing their environmental impact, we are also looking forward to seeing how this award scheme will enable more transparency between our stakeholders and contractors on HIA’s energy-reduction efforts.”

The award applications were evaluated by The Energy Saving and Performance Awards Evaluation Committee, comprising a selection of members from the HIA Energy Working Group as well as experts in various fields of energy-related activities, including environment, electrical and HVAC.

The methodology of the selection process included the scientific verification of data, a comprehensive review of total energy savings per number of staff for each applicant, a review of energy projects and initiatives, and contractor/stakeholder commitment to environmental activities and engagements.

HIA continues to "showcase its commitment to energy-saving initiatives, implementing the latest award scheme to motivate and encourage stakeholders for higher engagement and contribution, validate energy savings and performance, improve energy efficiency and reduce the airport’s carbon emissions to maintain their ACI Carbon Accreditation Level 3 Status", the statement noted.

Another priority for this energy-saving initiative is to strengthen the airport’s best-practices across sustainability and facilitate knowledge-sharing between the airport, its stakeholders and contractors.

Last year, HIA implemented its MoU with Tarsheed by launching the ‘One Degree Makes a Difference’ campaign, where the five-star hub increased the air conditioning temperature by one degree for the winter period. The initiative saved more than 2,000MWH with carbon reduction of approximate 1,000 tonnes.

HIA’s efforts to continually improve its environmental performance by achieving lower and more efficient greenhouse gas emissions, reducing and recycling waste, managing noise and controlling emissions to air and water are measured annually in a Sustainability Report available to the public via HIA’s official website.

The Sustainability Report is a key avenue through which stakeholders are informed on the airport’s environmentally-friendly practices, areas for improvement, and achievements.

HIA’s Energy Working Group, officially launched in 2016, has been tasked with creating, implementing, and tracking ongoing and planned carbon initiatives. The members meet every month, enabling frequent reviews and sharing of ideas and best practices.

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