May 2024 EAC Minutes
| Meeting date: | May 2, 2024 | Meeting time: | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Location: | Microsoft Teams | Prepared by: | Brenden McBain |
| In attendance: | Wendy Avis Brenden McBain Zoë Greig Bijan Pourarimi Eddie Uyeda Babak Behnia Morgan Guerin Shelina Sidi Rene McKibbin Erin Weckworth Myrka Manzo Olive Hui |
YVR, Climate and Environment – Chair YVR, Climate and Environment City of Vancouver (for Karen Wong) City of Vancouver Citizen Rep Transport Canada City of Richmond Musqueam Indian Band / YVR Metro Vancouver Canadian Wildlife Service (ECCC) Fraser Basin Council Air Canada City of Richmond Citizen Rep |
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| Guests/Presenters: | David McPhie Yeganeh Asadian Simon Robinson Gonzalo Wong Koo |
YVR, Climate and Environment YVR, Climate and Environment YVR, Climate and Environment YVR, Climate and Environment Co-op |
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| Regrets: | Karen Wong Taylor Groenewoud |
City of Vancouver Environment and Climate Change Canada |
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| Secretary: | Brenden McBain | YVR, Climate and Environment | |
Meeting Minutes
1. Introductions & Welcome
Wendy welcomed the committee and shared the meeting etiquette. Wendy acknowledged that YVR is on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people and the importance of the 30-year agreement in place to support our relationship. Wendy welcomed members, ran through the meeting agenda, and encouraged participants to share their comments and questions as well as taking breaks throughout the meeting.
2. Review of previous minutes
No comments were raised regarding the draft meeting minutes from the January 18, 2024 meeting. As such they will be adopted as final and posted at yvr.ca in English and French. There were no action items from the meeting.
Wendy reminded the group that the committee minutes are now posted on our website as a webpage, rather than a PDF, moving forward in 2024 in an effort to improve accessibility and workflow. This website change will result in a loss of copies of prior minutes, which are typically kept online for two years. Members and public who are interested in previous minutes can request a copy at [email protected]. A copy of the minutes in the existing PDF form will continue to be provided to committee members.
3. Airport Authority Updates
Wendy updated the committee that a new senior environmental specialist, Bobby Asuncion, started with the team and will oversee the environmental audit, contaminated sites management, and emergency spill response programs. Bobby has previously worked as an Environmental Protection Officer at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in BC. His proficiency in environmental site assessment, soil remediation, and permitting was showcased in his successful role as a Project Manager at Secure Energy Services/Tervita Corporation.Wendy updated the group that passenger growth at YVR continues to increase, up 15% from a year ago and 5% higher than 2019, suggesting this may be our busiest year to date. The group celebrated YVR’s return as the long standing ‘best airport in North America’ via the Skytrax award in 2024 as well as our award for the ‘Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture’ – the first airport to win in this category. Wendy also mentioned the recently signed memorandum of understanding between YVR and the province committing to work together to accelerate sustainable aviation and reduce carbon emissions.
Finally, Wendy reminded the group of the Annual Public Meeting scheduled for Tuesday May 14th from 2:00-3:30 at east concourse near the Fairmont. The meeting can also be viewed online via Zoom.
4. Review of 2023 YVR Environmental Results & Environmental Management Plan Discussion
David, Brenden and Yeganeh reviewed results from the prior year under the four main themes of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP): carbon reduction, waste management, water conservation, and ecosystem health. David reviewed the 2023 scope 1 &2 emissions, which were lower than projected. David noted that the Airport Authority was able to reduce emissions through HVAC, lighting, renewable natural gas in DTB boilers, use of renewable diesel in airside fleet. David covered plans for Scope 3 reporting including creating new methods to capture this data such as embodied carbon as part of Airport Carbon Accreditation. A brief side discussion developed when Bijan asked about the reliability of embodied carbon data (variable but improving) and a question on the impact renewable diesel had on the carbon footprint overall (385 tonnes). Brenden reviewed waste management and water conservation noting that improved waste through waste sortation stations, janitorial services, single-use plastic audits, and waste wars had led to a return to waste diversion values which existed prior to the pandemic. Overall, water reduction continues to improve and is on track with our EMP goals. Yeganeh reviewed ecosystem health, primarily that YVR achieved Salmon-Safe certified again for another 5 years as well as highlighting improved cultural resource management through better protocols through our archeology program.Brenden led a review of the process that the team would be working through to develop the new Environmental Management Plan for the organization in 2024. The group participated in a Mentimeter live survey to share and discuss responses to a brainstorm question on ‘what does the Greenest Airport in the world mean to you?’. Responses included climate leadership, reducing energy use and emissions, reduced waste alongside higher transparency related to waste management. Follow up comments from the group stated that targets should be reachable and have realistic timelines. The importance of the natural habitat was raised by the group citing wildlife management, the importance of wetland ditches, and pollination gardens.
5. Update on Development Projects at YVR
Andrew Grams, Program Director for the North Runway program, presented on the north runway project which plans to rehabilitate and improve the runway, which was built in the mid-90s. Work planned for 2025 was presented outlining the scope, potential closures, and overall timeline. The committee asked about embodied carbon the team provided a response on how it was incorporated into the decision making and analysis.
Simon Robinson provided the committee with a high-level summary of new, active, and completed development projects. Updates on several active construction projects occurring at YVR were providing including the Taxiway A expansion, South airfield improvements, SICA Dike West Upgrade, and Ferguson Road Realignment. Simon also went over new planned projects including the SICA Dike East Upgrade, Northlands Enabling Works (previously PSL Fence Project), Floodbox H & K upgrades, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Expansion Phase III, and additional Pavement De-icing Chemical Storage.
6. Round Table and Discussion
Canadian Wildlife Services shared that Raincoast Conservation Foundation are interested in a restoration project within the Sea Island Conservation Area (SICA). Environment and Climate Change Canada updated the group on Canada's Aviation Climate Action Plan. City of Richmond provided updates on updating mapping of Environmentally Sensitive Areas, general updates to land use permits, and engagement on wastewater treatment plant planning at Iona Island. Transport Canada updated the group on a remediation project planned at YVR to clean up a site contaminated with various metals and hydrocarbons.
7. Upcoming Meetings
Wendy informed the committee that the next 2024 meeting is October 17th 1-3 pm.
Brenden briefly reviewed current plan and next steps for the summer terminal tour with a focus on energy management, GHG reduction, water conservation, waste and recycling, and new construction.
Next Meeting Date: Thursday, October 17th, 2024, at 1 p.m.