Airports across Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast are making efforts to decarbonize their operations by 2030 which is helping others step forward.
Vancouver International Airport, which serves as a hub for those connecting to international and domestic flights for those living on the coast and island, says they’re taking the initiative one step closer by convening an energy advisory council.
They add this council, which will be comprised of six members, is critical to research and building a greener way of travelling across the country if aviation is to hit targets of net zero by 2050.
“We have a unique opportunity to chart a sustainable path forward not only for our airport but also for our industry and region through our work with YVR’s Energy Advisory Council,” says YVR’s president and CEO Tamara Vrooman. “The council will provide us with expert advice and identify partnerships to advance our energy transition.”
Vrooman says the new council was selected based on their diverse experience and expertise and will provide reports to outline actions and considerations needed to deliver energy solutions to support the Airport Authority’s goals.
Nanaimo Airport has already achieved Stage 2 in January and CFO Keith Granbois says the airport has already made a significant impact and hitting the 2030 target is a realistic goal.
“We’re identifying, and stopping gaps, so we can hit our targets by 2030,” Granbois said, “We continue to improve our airport operations by implementing our climate action plan to net zero with other environmental initiatives.”
The five-part plan for all airports involved mapping, reduction, optimization, transformation and maintaining a net zero carbon balance.
