Photo: Andrew Stewart/Cappelan Digital

Sustainability, environment, occupational health and safety 

On every infrastructure project, sustainability, environmental impact as well as occupational health and safety issues need to be addressed. COWI provides consultancy services on environmental management in each planning, design and construction phase.

Sustainable design

A sustainable design approach is implemented early in the design development and does not necessarily increase the construction cost, however it might reduce future operational cost (often up to 50 per cent) and thus reduce the CO² footprint. Examples of such measures in building design are:

  • Orientation of buildings
  • District cooling/heating plants
  • Recycling of grey water
  • Adsorption cooling in combination with district heating and or geothermal storage
  • Sea water cooling in combination with heat pumps
  • Thermo active constructions
  • Natural/hybrid ventilation/free-cooling
  • Low energy lighting concept and low energy passenger lifts
  • Renewable energy by wind turbines
  • Renewable energy by solar cells/solar panels.
Photo: Arne V. Petersen, Kbh. Lufthavne A/S

Working environment and safety

Both authorities and local stakeholders demand minimisation of the environmental impacts during the design and construction of airport projects. Focus is on optimising the working environment and safety for both the people constructing and maintaining the airport and those using the facilities. COWI has many years of experience in consultancy services in the fields of environment, occupational health and safety, both on national and international infrastructure projects. We take a holistic approach, and we cover the project’s life cycle from the selection of location through design, construction and operation to renovation and demolition.

Environmental management

COWI assists in building up a management system and an action plan covering both environment and occupational health and safety.

The plan is adapted to the actual needs of the project and includes follow-up through the design and construction phases. COWI's specialists have specific qualifications and long experience in carrying out environmental and health and safety audits.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

As part of our holistic approach to airport design we provide consultancy on how the various management systems and sustainable activities are integrated into a CSR framework.

This includes consideration of society at large, taking into account all relevant stakeholders including public authorities, employees, customers and local community. 

How to run the airport business in a sustainable manner: 

  • Management and ethics 
  • Stakeholder involvement 
  • Public policy influence 
  • Ethical investment 
  • Human rights 
  • Management systems on health & safety and environment (in detail above) 
  • Communication 

    Aviation and society:
  • National macroeconomic impact 
  • Regional and local macroeconomic impact 
  • Social benefits 

    Working with partners: 
  • Aviation industry 
  • Engaging with retailers 
  • Sustainable supply chain 
  • Engaging with construction partners 
  • Third parties on-airport