Environmental concerns over new terminal

The opening of Heathrow's long-awaited terminal 5 puts environmental concerns over the expansion of aviation firmly into the spotlight.
Air travel is seen as the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases in Britain.
Environmentalists predict that the sector would become the biggest single source of carbon dioxide emissions by 2040 if it continued to grow at current rates.
Following controversial consultation over a proposed third runway for the airport, campaigners see the new terminal as a totem of the Government's backing for the growth of air travel.
The state-of-the art terminal, is capable of handling 30 million passengers a year. Heathrow currently processes around 68 million.
While the new capacity will be taken up by British Airways switching its services across to T5, paving the way for redevelopment elsewhere, the opening of Terminal 5 is to enable Heathrow to handle up to 95 million passengers a year - even without the third runway.
Friends of the Earth also recently claimed that Terminal 5 will expose 250,000 more local residents to increased levels of toxic emissions.
BA and the British Airports Authority, which owns Heathrow, insist that major efforts have been taken to to make the new terminal as green as possible.
The building was designed to maximise the use of natural light, cutting unnecessary power use.
Rainwater from the vast roof surface area is to be recycled which, combined with a nearby bore hole, is expected to provide up to 70% of its non drinking water.
BAA describes the water recycling scheme as the largest of its type in Europe. Low-flush toilets and water saving showers have also been fitted inside.
Meanwhile excess energy from an on-site combined heat and power unit is to be piped under the building, supplying up to 85% of its heating needs.
BAA estimates that this measure alone cuts 11,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

By John Bingham, PA Chief Reporter