PROJECT GREEN YVR CREATING CLIMATE SMART AIRPORT BUSINESSES -VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY-

Transcription

1 PROJECT GREEN YVR CREATING CLIMATE SMART AIRPORT BUSINESSES -VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY-

2 PROJECT SUMMARY Environmental management is a core component of all activities at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The Vancouver Airport Authority s ( Airport Authority ) Environmental Management Plan (EMP) targets reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, potable water use and waste, while improving ecological health for airport operations by Project Green YVR is a business engagement program supporting the Environmental Management Plan targets across the greater Sea Island business community. Working with businesses to raise awareness and support actions to reduce their environmental footprint is essential to achieve our environmental targets. The purpose of Project Green YVR is to collaborate on environmental initiatives by strengthening the Airport Authority s business relationships, provide capacity building support to assist businesses in identifying their environmental footprint, and establish reduction opportunities through the Climate Smart Program. The Airport Authority is submitting an application for the 2017 ACI-NA Environmental Achievement Awards. The Project Narrative for YVR s submission, Project Green YVR The Climate Smart Program, is in the attached submission. Highlights of the project s success are as follows:

3 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT Businesses are provided with knowledge and tools to measure their emissions, waste and water footprints, and create a baseline to track progress over time. 18 businesses have measured 16,663 tonnes of CO 2 -e and 168,023 m 3 of potable water. Businesses develop reduction plans to improve their environmental impact, which align to the Airport Authority s environmental objectives. The projected emissions reduction is 830-1,830 tonnes of CO 2 -e. Businesses have already implemented several reduction actions including initiating a INNOVATION composting program to divert waste from going to landfill and replacing old incandescent lightbulbs with newer LED lightbulbs to save on electricity. Project Green YVR is a stakeholder engagement strategy that brings the Airport Authority and its business partners together, harmonizing our collective environmental efforts to make a positive impact on Sea Island. Unlike traditional landlord-tenant business relationships at airports, Project Green YVR forms strong sustainability relationships between the Airport Authority and its business partners. Through Project Green YVR, our relationships with businesses are built on collaboration and support to operate more efficiently and effectively in achieving environmental excellence. A capacity building approach for program delivery was selected to ensure that businesses were able to have internal capacity and tailored reduction plans, resulting in better corporate buy-in.

4 EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION Airport Authority staff promoted participation in the Climate Smart Program, recruiting 18 businesses to measure and manage their environmental footprints. Businesses have been targeted based on their estimated emissions footprint and impact. To ensure efficient and effective delivery at YVR, the program was delivered by Climate Smart Businesses Inc., a Vancouver-based social enterprise. Use of an external firm provided access to existing greenhouse gas measurement tools consistent with local emissions factors, expertise, and reduction opportunities. Airport Authority staff participated in each training module, documenting ideas for future projects and enabling streamlined data collection for businesses. WIDESPREAD APPLICABILITY With appropriate funding and/or staff resources, Project Green YVR is a business engagement strategy that could be implemented at any airport. The Climate Smart Program consists of three half-day training sessions, occurring over the course of a full year and is customizable to meet the needs of airports. For YVR, the Airport Authority programmed content to align with the strategic direction laid out in the EMP. This provided an avenue to raise business awareness and development of reduction strategies that support our goals. COST EFFECTIVENESS YVR partnered with an external delivery agent for program development and implementation of Project Green YVR, with an annual budget of $20,000 for program delivery in year 1 for 6 businesses and $40,000 in year 2 for 12 businesses. YVR was able

5 to gain a better understanding of Sea Island s environmental footprint, assist in the development of reduction strategies, and build collaborative relationships with 18 businesses. At $33 per tonne reduced, this is a cost effective investment for the Airport Authority, with on-site emission reduction. Program partnering costs can vary depending on how the program is structured and initiatives offered. In YVR s case, it was important for the Airport Authority to cover 100% of funds to encourage business participation in the program. The program costs could have been lowered had the Airport Authority opted to encourage businesses to pay to participate. Airports can easily provide training and support directly to businesses instead of partnering with an external delivery agent, in order to reduce costs. In this case inhouse resources for material and training module development would be required..

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS PROJECT SUMMARY... 2 VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY PROJECT GREEN YVR... 7 PROJECT NARRATIVE... 7 WHO WE ARE OUR BACKGROUND... 7 OUR CHALLENGE... 8 THE OPPORTUNITY... 8 THE SOLUTION...11 THE RESULTS...21 OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT...27 SUMMARY...29 TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1: Summary of Sea Island businesses by industry sector... 9 Figure 2: Projected emissions in tonnes of CO 2 -e from Sea Island businesses in Figure 3: Climate Smart Training Session 1 Agenda...13 Figure 4: An invitation for Project Green YVR - The Climate Smart Program Figure 5: A business's operations map...15 Figure 6: A business's operations map...16 Figure 7: Businesses brainstorming potential reduction initiatives...18 Figure 8: Opportunities for collaboration discussed during group work...19 Figure 9: 'Climate Smart-certified' businesses...20 Figure 10: Project Green YVR Forum Figure 11: Number of Project Green YVR business participants...21 Figure 12: Breakdown of industry sectors participating in Project Green YVR...22 Figure 13: Total emissions from Project Green YVR business participants...23 Figure 14: Emissions by activity type from Climate Smart cohort Figure 15: Emissions by activity type from Climate Smart cohort Figure 16: A business's reduction action plan...25 Figure 17: Highlights of Project Green YVR Figure 18: Active participants of Project Green YVR...30

7 VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY PROJECT GREEN YVR PROJECT NARRATIVE As Canada s second busiest airport, achieving environmental success at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) must involve engagement and collaborative partnerships from the greater airport community airport partners and businesses on Sea Island. The Vancouver Airport Authority ( Airport Authority ) has submitted its business engagement strategy, Project Green YVR for the 2017 ACI-NA Environmental Achievement Awards. Project Green YVR was developed to enhance the culture of engagement and connectivity at YVR and work collaboratively with airport partners and businesses on a variety of initiatives to achieve environmental excellence. WHO WE ARE OUR BACKGROUND The Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit corporation, which manages YVR under the provisions of a long-term ground lease with the Government of Canada. The Airport Authority assumed the responsibility for management and operation of YVR in The Airport Authority's mandate is to manage and operate YVR in the best interests of the region, expand the contribution that YVR makes to local economic development, and ensure the airport can respond to the demands of the community and aviation industry in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. YVR is unique in that it is located on Sea Island and is bound by rapid residential growth and environmentally sensitive areas, including fish and bird habitat. Additionally, Vancouver is

8 comprised of a community of informed citizens which supports organizations, such as YVR, to incorporate sustainability as a central value to its operations. Thus, implementing sustainability initiatives requires innovative thinking, designs and solutions. Community interaction, on and off Sea Island, is necessary. OUR CHALLENGE The Airport Authority has a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (EMP), which provides the framework to guide sound environmental management of YVR and sets four environmental targets to be achieved by 2020 over 2012 levels. These targets are as follows: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33%; Reduce potable water consumption by 30%; Reduce waste by 50%; and Improve ecosystem health by achieving zero stormwater samples exceeding 100mg/L of glycol and becoming Salmon Safe-certified. Achieving these targets is a significant challenge because like all airports, YVR see a direct correlation between passenger and aircraft movements, commercial development and environmental impact. As YVR expands to accommodate increases in passenger and aircraft numbers, greater impact on the surrounding environment is expected to occur. THE OPPORTUNITY Over 300 businesses with 23,000 employees worked together to move 20.3 million passengers, 271,480 tonnes of cargo in 2015 (Figure 1). With this level of activity there are inevitably

9 environmental management challenges and associated opportunities, many of which require our business partners attention and participation. Working with our business partners to raise awareness and support actions to reduce their environmental footprint is essential in achieving our environmental targets. Figure 1: Summary of Sea Island businesses by industry sector The Airport Authority has measured our own carbon footprint and has estimated the emissions footprint from business operations. The estimated emissions from Sea Island businesses were over 40,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (CO 2 -e) in 2014 (Figure 2). With the Airport Authority s emissions profile measured at 9,500 CO 2 -e in the same year, there is a significant opportunity and need to engage with our airport community.

10 Figure 2: Projected emissions in tonnes of CO 2 -e from Sea Island businesses in Historically, the Airport Authority has engaged with businesses through a variety of environmental education and outreach initiatives, such as Earth Hour, Bike to Work Week, YVR Clear Skies Awards, and Waste Wars. These events have been good mechanisms to raise environmental awareness and encourage businesses to reduce their environmental impact, but the Airport Authority has to do more in order to make significant progress in reaching its environmental goals and targets. To successfully accomplish what the Airport Authority has set out in the EMP, a more comprehensive, collaborative and consistent approach to foster business engagement and connectivity at YVR had to be developed. This approach would enable our airport partners and businesses on Sea Island to take on a more proactive role in managing and reducing their impacts on the environment.

11 THE SOLUTION In 2015, the Airport Authority launched Project Green YVR, a business engagement program supporting YVR s Environmental Management Plan targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, potable water use and waste, as well as to improve ecological health for operations across Sea Island by The purpose of Project Green YVR is to strengthen our relationship with businesses and to provide ongoing capacity building support to assist businesses in identifying their environmental footprint and establish reduction opportunities. The Airport Authority has invited formal participation in the Project Green YVR network by inviting businesses to complete an environmental training program called the Climate Smart Program. Through Climate Smart, businesses have developed greenhouse gas, water, and waste baseline inventories and have identified conservation measures that align with our EMP targets. Project Green YVR improves the Airport Authority s knowledge of business activities and develops capacity within our businesses to understand and reduce their environmental footprint. CLIMATE SMART PROGRAM YVR worked with Climate Smart Businesses Inc. 1 to develop an environmental awareness and action program that aligned with our EMP goals and targets. The Climate Smart Program focusses on the following topics: 1 Climate Smart Businesses Inc. is a Vancouver-based social enterprise focused on helping businesses measure and reduce their environmental footprint while reducing associated costs.

12 1. Measurement - Educating businesses on how to calculate their emissions, waste and water footprints and develop baseline inventories to track changes over time; 2. Reduction Assisting businesses with developing reduction strategies to minimize their emissions, water and waste footprints and forecasting the benefits; and 3. Leveraging Supporting businesses on how to communicate and optimize their successes and providing additional information on other mechanisms to further improve their impact. Climate Smart Businesses Inc. staff provides one-on-one advising to businesses to help guide them through the development of their emissions, waste and water inventories and reduction strategies, with Airport Authority staff offering continuous support throughout this process. The Climate Smart Program is offered by the Airport Authority to Sea Island businesses on an annual basis, with three training sessions occurring throughout the year and additional networking events. Prior to the launch of the first training session in each year, Airport Authority staff spends approximately two months on program development and recruitment. In consultation with Climate Smart Businesses Inc., the Airport Authority determines the content of each training session, such as discussion topics, case studies and guest speakers (Figure 3).

13 Figure 3: Climate Smart Training Session 1 Agenda The Airport Authority offers participation in the Climate Smart Program free of charge for businesses in the first year, to remove barriers of participation. Recruitment of Sea Island businesses is personalized and consists of distributing invitations (Figure 4), and meeting with operations and facilities managers in person to inform businesses about Project Green YVR. The

14 Airport Authority uses a targeted approach for recruitment based on our estimated emissions (Figure 2), to ensure that we receive a strong return on our investment. Figure 4: An invitation for Project Green YVR - The Climate Smart Program 2016 The Airport Authority hosts informational sessions for businesses to learn more about Project Green YVR and the Climate Smart Program. During these sessions, businesses can meet with Airport Authority and Climate Smart Businesses Inc. staff to receive further information on the program and YVR s Environmental Management Plan. Past participants in the Climate Smart Program provided presentations on their experience in the training program and shared resulting actions they have undertaken to improve their environmental performance.

15 The first training session provides businesses with a basic understanding of greenhouse gases and how they are measured and reported using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol 2. To help businesses understand how others have measured and reported their greenhouse gas emissions, a guest speaker is invited to inspire the participants with benefits they have seen in making their company more sustainable and how they overcame challenges. Businesses start to develop their emissions, waste and water inventories by mapping the sources of their direct and indirect emissions 3, waste generation and water consumption. Figure 5 and 6 are examples of the operations mapping exercise from two businesses who have participated in the Climate Smart Program. Figure 5: A business's operations map 2 The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is the global standard developed by the World Resource Institute and World Business Council on Sustainable Development for measuring, managing and report greenhouse gas emissions. 3 According to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, direct emissions are emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the reporting entity. Indirect emissions are emissions that are a consequence of the activities of the reporting entity, but occur at sources owned or controlled by another entity.

16 Figure 6: A business's operations map Once operational boundaries are mapped, businesses are advised of different methodologies and resources available to collect information on their energy use, waste generation and water consumption in order to build their inventories. To assist businesses through this process, a coaching session takes place with an advisor who guides businesses on the use of a web-based environmental management software tool to develop their inventories. The second training session is focused on helping businesses identify reduction initiatives and develop an action plan to cut their greenhouse as, waste and water footprints. To generate ideas for businesses to implement reduction initiatives, guest speakers from various industries are

17 invited to speak on services and resources available to them, new technologies that allow businesses to operate more efficiently, and education and outreach opportunities that could help them influence behavioural changes in the workplace. The Airport Authority has invited the following guest speakers to speak to the Climate Smart program: Representatives from provincial power (BC Hydro) and gas (FortisBC) authorities spoke to businesses on their incentive and rebate programs that could help businesses save on electricity and natural gas usage and costs. The transportation agency in Vancouver, TransLink, spoke on employee commuting, local business travel, and resources available to businesses for transportation demand management. A local engineering consulting firm spoke with businesses on the importance of water conservation; how water is typically used in the industrial, commercial and institutional sector; and the recommended approaches for businesses to reduce water use within their facilities. Before the end of the session, businesses brainstorm potential reduction initiatives they may wish to undertake and then eventually get into groups to share their ideas and receive feedback (Figure 7).

18 Figure 7: Businesses brainstorming potential reduction initiatives The third training session helps businesses build employee support and buy-in to advance reduction efforts; identify other mechanisms to achieve emissions, waste and water reductions beyond their operations; and learn different ways of communicating their accomplishments authentically In 2016, the Airport Authority invited a Sea Island business with strong and effective environmental awareness programs to tell their story on how they have managed to successfully foster employee engagement within their workplace and how others can do the same. Information on carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates are provided for businesses as a mechanism to go carbon neutral for all or a portion of their operations. The Airport Authority communications team provides a module on how to effectively convey successes through various media channels and offers support to businesses where needed. Throughout the session, group discussions occur to encourage businesses to seek out opportunities for collaboration and determine how they can support each other as they navigate

19 through their collective journey in achieving sustainability on Sea Island (Figure 8). This brainstorming activity also provides additional ideas to the Airport Authority on new program and infrastructure improvements. Figure 8: Opportunities for collaboration discussed during group work Once businesses complete all three training sessions, Airport Authority and Climate Smart staff continue to support and work with them in finalizing their emissions, waste and water inventories, as well as their reduction action plans. Businesses that successfully complete their emissions, waste and water inventories, and develop comprehensive reduction strategies at the end of annual program become Climate Smart-certified (Figure 9). This certification is awarded by Climate Smart Businesses Inc. for successful program completion and can be renewed annually with continuous participation.

20 Figure 9: 'Climate Smart-certified' businesses In order for the Airport Authority to maintain the high level of engagement and connectivity with businesses developed through Project Green YVR, an annual forum takes place to bring businesses back together and provide updates on their environmental initiatives. In 2016, this session served as an excellent opportunity for businesses to share their successes and challenges with others, and by doing so, identify how they can support one another through collaboration and innovation. The Airport Authority used this as another opportunity to inform businesses on its progress against the goals and targets as identified in its EMP (Figure 10).

21 Number of Businesses Figure 10: Project Green YVR Forum 2016 THE RESULTS Since 2015, the Airport Authority has witnessed improvement in the level of engagement and connectivity with businesses on Sea Island as a result of Project Green YVR. In 2015, six businesses joined Project Green YVR and participated in the Climate Smart Program. In 2016, recruitment doubled to 12 businesses a 100% increase over the previous year (Figure 11) Figure 11: Number of Project Green YVR business participants

22 The 18 businesses participating in Project Green YVR come from various industry sectors, such as retail and transportation. A full breakdown of the different industry sectors is shown in Figure 12. Retail Transportation Accommodations and Food Services Management of Companies and Enterprises Other Services (except Public Administration) Figure 12: Breakdown of industry sectors participating in Project Green YVR Through Project Green YVR, many businesses have successfully mapped their emissions, waste and water footprints. Based on five of the six businesses who completed their emissions inventories in the 2015 Climate Smart Program, their total emissions was 11,881 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 -e) using 2014 as the baseline year. In 2016, eight of 12 businesses have managed to complete their emissions inventory, which totals to 4,782 CO 2 -e using 2015 as the baseline year. These inventories also include emissions from waste generation. A table summary of these inventories is shown in Figure 13.

23 Project Green YVR Climate Smart Cohort Total Emissions (CO 2 -e) , ,782 Figure 13: Total emissions from Project Green YVR business participants When comparing businesses who have participated in Project Green YVR in 2015 versus 2016, activities such as transportation, heat, equipment, electricity, waste and refrigeration account for most of their emissions. Figure 14 and 15 shows a 2015 and 2016 comparison between total emissions from businesses by activity type. The Other category shown in both figures represents garbage, paper consumption and refrigeration. Equipment Electricity Transporting Goods Other Transporting People Heat Figure 14: Emissions by activity type from Climate Smart cohort 2015

24 Electricity Transporting Goods Other Equipment Heat Transporting People Figure 15: Emissions by activity type from Climate Smart cohort % of the 18 businesses that have completed the Climate Smart training sessions since 2015 have been successful in measuring their water footprints. Collectively, these businesses have measured annual use of approximately 168,023 cubic metres of water per year. By having businesses calculate their emissions, waste and water inventories, this information enables Sea Island businesses to identifying reduction opportunities and implementing environmental projects to improve their impact. An example of a Project Green YVR participating business s energy, waste and water reduction plan is shown in Figure 16.

25 Figure 16: A business's reduction action plan ELECTRICITY STRATEGY STATUS TIMEFRAME Continue to update lighting in hangars and offices 80% 2 years complete Install occupancy sensors in areas such as washrooms, meeting rooms, and lunch rooms. 100% complete HEAT STRATEGY STATUS TIMEFRAME Clean forced air heating filters regularly (quarterly) 100% Ongoing complete Set office thermostat to turn down 1 hour before staff leave, and turn back up 1 hour before staff arrive 100% complete Reduce hot water temperature to 55 degrees Celsius In progress 1 month More than half of all heating emissions are attributed to 1 West In progress 2 months location doing cost analysis on usage of air curtain or radiant heaters COMPANY VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT STRATEGY STATUS TIMEFRAME Assess fuel efficiency when purchasing new equipment, consider In progress Ongoing electric and hybrid options WASTE STRATEGY STATUS TIMEFRAME Provide food waste and soft plastic recycling containers and inform staff/businesses. 100% complete Change supply of disposable water cups to new compostable water cups to reduce waste. 100% complete Continue to monitor recycling/garbage. If some recyclables are In progress Ongoing ending up in the garbage, re-examine signage and communicate with staff/businesses. PAPER STRATEGY STATUS TIMEFRAME Notify staff to only print what is necessary. Scan and store 100% Ongoing documents electronically rather than print hard copy when able. complete WATER STRATEGY STATUS TIMEFRAME Continue to install low flow toilets as bathroom upgrades are carried out. Currently upgraded the highest volume bathrooms and will upgrade balance as needed. 50% complete 2 years

26 Since 2015, the Airport Authority has sought input from businesses on their experiences while being involved with Project Green YVR. Overall, feedback has been extremely positive and businesses have expressed a desire for the Airport Authority to continue with Project Green YVR and providing the Climate Smart training in the future. In both 2015 and 2016, on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being poor and 10 being excellent, businesses ranked the Climate Smart training sessions between 8 and 10. General comments from businesses are as follows: We would recommend Project Green YVR and the Climate Smart Program because it raises awareness on our environmental impact; provides new learning opportunities (e.g. new technology, rebate programs, how to measure emissions and water footprint, etc.); and generates new ideas on how to reduce. The program also allowed us to gain a better understanding of YVR and other Sea Island businesses, and what these organizations are doing. We also found the discussions with staff from other businesses to be valuable. (2015 Project Green YVR and Climate Smart participant) Excellent presentation, interesting information from group discussions with other organizations, and very helpful technical guidance in the coaching call. (2016 Project Green YVR and Climate Smart participant) It was great hearing what others are working on. (2016 Project Green YVR Forum participant)

27 OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT While there have been many successful highlights from Project Green YVR and the Climate Smart Program, opportunities still exist to improve business engagement and working with businesses to reach the goals and targets as set in YVR s EMP: 1. More Engagement There are approximately 300 businesses operating on Sea Island and most work directly or indirectly with YVR and the Airport Authority. So far, 18 of these businesses are actively engaged with the Airport Authority through Project Green YVR and the Climate Smart Program. As a result, there is still much work that needs to be done in order to reach out and engage with the rest of the Sea Island business community. To overcome this, the Airport Authority will need to continue to create opportunities that appeal to businesses and provide the resources and support to motivate businesses to get more involved. 2. Lack of Information Some businesses were unable to complete their emissions, waste and water inventories while completing the Climate Smart training sessions due to lack of information. In some cases, the information may exist, but retrieval is challenging because the data sources are unknown or simply tracking down this information takes time and much investigative work. For example, one business that participated in the 2016 Climate Smart Program has not able to complete their emissions inventory yet because they are still trying to gather information on electrical use for the units that they lease at YVR. This process has raised awareness to the Airport Authority on how lease agreements

28 are set up for utility tracking. Regardless of the situation, Airport Authority staff are continuing to work with these businesses to provide support in the best way possible. 3. Maintaining Momentum The Airport Authority has been successful in engaging 18 businesses to participate in Project Green YVR, but ensuring that these businesses continue to stay engaged and proactive in tracking their environmental footprints and implementing reduction initiatives is a challenge. To help resolve this issue, the Airport Authority has been consistent with following up with businesses even after they have completed the Climate Smart training sessions. Going forward, the Airport Authority intends to continue offering business engagement opportunities similar to the 2016 Project Green YVR Forum that go beyond the Climate Smart Program to further build relationships and connectivity with businesses on Sea Island.

29 SUMMARY Overall, Project Green YVR has been successful in terms of improving business engagement at YVR (Figure 17). So far, the results of Project Green YVR and the Climate Smart Program demonstrate that the desire to engage and connect goes both ways for the Airport Authority and businesses, and that working together on environmental initiatives is one of the ways to improve our collective impact on Sea Island. It is clear that many businesses are already moving forward with outstanding environmental initiatives to reduce their emissions, waste and water footprints, and are becoming sustainability leaders in their own right (Figure 18). Highlights of Project Green YVR Businesses engaged 16,663 Measured tonnes of CO 2 -e measured 168,023 Measured cubic meters of water 1,830 Projected emissions reduction 13 Businesses achieving Climate Smart certification Figure 17: Highlights of Project Green YVR

30 Figure 18: Active participants of Project Green YVR In the future, the Airport Authority is excited to continue Project Green YVR and the Climate Smart Program as the mechanisms to further engage and connect with businesses on Sea Island and to advance the work that has already been achieved toward the Environmental Management Plan objectives.