00:00Global studies suggest that aviation is responsible for 2-3% of human-induced carbon emissions.
00:10But here at home, Biaco International Airport can now boast of doing its part to offset
00:14that with the launch of its solar park.
00:17The aviation industry is recognized as a key driver of global economic growth.
00:24But it is also no secret that it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
00:30Good corporate social responsibility demands that as an industry, we proactively work towards
00:36reducing our contribution to transport emissions.
00:41By offsetting our emissions through renewable energy, we would be mitigating the impact
00:48of the aviation industry on our environment.
00:51The first phase was operationalized two years after the sud turning, and will generate just
00:56upwards of 4% of the airport's energy needs.
01:00That brings what, 4%?
01:02The next phase of this program, we're supposed to carry it to about 8%, and we will be utilizing
01:08the rooftop of most of the buildings on the compound to do that.
01:12So for those of you who feel we'll be taking all the land around the airport to put solar
01:16parks, no.
01:17The next phase will be on the rooftop.
01:19And we intend to do our part and move the consumption from renewable energies to close
01:27to 30% here in the airport.
01:30The project was funded by the European Union to the tune of roughly 12 million TT dollars.
01:36But the ambassador to TNT notes the relationship between both countries is mutually beneficial.
01:43Today Trinidad and Tobago exports approximately 5.7 billion euros to the European Union each
01:49year.
01:50It imports 1.1 billion euros from the European Union, therefore it has a balance of trade
01:55surplus of approximately 4.6 billion euros, or in Trinidad and Tobago dollars, 33.58 billion.
02:04Planning Minister Penelope Beckles shared some of the other projects being carried out
02:09in collaboration with the European Union, as TNT strives to meet its SDG mandates.
02:15There are 12 such projects and as indicated there are five more, one of which will be
02:21the office of the Prime Minister.
02:25So that is not just the solar park, but you have projects in Guayaguari, in Tobago, Red
02:34Cross.
02:35Energy Minister Stuart Young reaffirmed TNT's commitment to reducing our carbon footprint,
02:40even as he noted that oil and gas is our bread and butter.
02:44We're in a funny place in the global make-up.
02:49Our economy is based on hydrocarbons.
02:52We earn a living.
02:54Everything around us, the cost of electricity, the subsidized water, children being able
02:58to go to school for free, the hospital service, there are not many countries in the world
03:02that offer free education, free health care.
03:08We can offer that because of an economy that's earning money on a global scale based
03:14on fossil fuels.
03:16Vanessa Cutting, TV6 News.
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