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The Vancouver Airport Authority announced its plan for Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to achieve four new sustainability targets. Among the targets outlined in the 2020 – 2024 environmental management plan (EMP) is a commitment to become carbon neutral in 2020 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, while connecting British Columbia proudly to the world.
“Environmental stewardship is central to who we are and how we operate at YVR. As we work to advance our position as a world class hub airport, we are looking ahead with a heightened sense of responsibility to continue building a sustainable future for YVR,” said Marion Town, director, Environment, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Our plan recognizes the importance of further reducing YVR’s environmental footprint and working together with our many business partners to support their climate action goals.”
YVR strives to be a leader in airport sustainability and develops an EMP every five years to outline its environmental priorities. Under its previous plan, YVR led a number of actions to reduce its environmental impact, successfully reducing emissions, water use and waste to landfill. YVR also invested in one of Canada’s largest GeoExchange plants to bolster its ability to continue to reduce carbon emissions and became the world’s first airport to receive Salmon-Safe certification.
YVR’s 2020 – 2024 EMP builds on the success of the previous plan and, in addition to carbon reduction, outlines clear, measurable targets to continue to conserve water, reduce waste and improve ecosystem health. Specifically, targets for YVR over the next five years are to:
- Become carbon neutral in 2020 and continue to reduce emissions to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050;
- Improve water use efficiency across Sea Island by 50 per cent per passenger;
- Divert 60 per cent of airport waste from landfill;
- Continue to enhance and protect the ecosystem of Sea Island, including maintaining the airport’s Salmon-Safe certification.
