May 2025 EAC Minutes
| Meeting date: | May 29, 2025 | Meeting time: | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Location: | Microsoft Teams | Prepared by: | Brenden McBain |
| In attendance: | Wendy Avis Yeganeh Asadian Brenden McBain Hayley Hoikka Bijan Pourarimi Jessica Low Babak Behnia Olive Hui Mark Guerin Tissari Hewa Ranasinghage |
YVR, Climate and Environment – Chair YVR, Climate and Environment YVR, Climate and Environment City of Vancouver City of Vancouver Citizen Rep Transport Canada (delegate) City of Richmond City of Richmond Citizen Rep Musqueam Indian Band / YVR Air Canada (delegate) |
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| Guests/Presenters: | Jessica Chan |
YVR, Climate and Environment |
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| Regrets: | Rene McKibbin Shelina Sidi Erin Weckworth Taylor Groenewoud Myrka Manzo Eddie Uyeda |
Canadian Wildlife Service (ECCC) Metro Vancouver Fraser Basin Council Environment and Climate Change Canada Air Canada Transport 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 or questions were raised regarding the draft meeting minutes from the February 6, 2025, meeting. As such they will be adopted as final and posted at yvr.ca in English and French. There were no material action items from the meeting.
3. Airport Authority Updates
Wendy provided updates on staffing changes, including welcoming two new Co-op students, Udhav and Yaelle, who joined the team in May for 8 months. Udhav is supporting the energy and carbon management group, while Yaelle is focusing on climate impacts, adaptation, and mitigation.
Wendy also announced a reorganization at YVR, with Alana Lawrence appointed as the new VP overseeing communications, environment, and indigenous relations. Alana has been with YVR for 17 years, held roles in communications and government relations, and was most recently the strategic advisor to the CEO. Wendy highlighted the benefits of the reorganization, emphasizing the synergies between communications, environment, and indigenous relations. Alana's familiarity with the environment team and her role on the Musqueam-YVR relationship committee are expected to enhance collaboration and effectiveness in these areas.
Wendy celebrated that YVR has once again been voted as the Best Airport in North America at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards! This marks the 14th time in the past 16 years that YVR has received this recognition. YVR also ranked 13th in the world’s top 20 airports, an increase of four spots from 2024. Wendy highlighted Air Canada’s GO trophy award for ‘GO Start Up’ which recognizes the percentage of time doors are closed 5 minutes before departure on startup flights—between 6-10am that have been on the ground overnight or for more than 4 hours. Focusing on GO Start Up at the hubs is key to setting up the success of the entire network, and we’re incredibly proud to be leading the way in this area. She also mentioned the just announced Uber Sustainability award for equal rate pricing on electric vehicles hired at YVR.
Wendy updated the committee on the BC Low Carbon Jet Fuel Incentive Program, launched this spring. This initiative, backed by BC’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, aims to support the early adoption of low carbon jet fuel (LCJF) across British Columbia, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation.
4.Review of 2024 Environmental Results and 2025 Focus Areas
Wendy summarized the 2024 environmental management plan results, highlighting achievements including:
- Carbon Neutrality: Wendy reported that YVR has been carbon neutral since 2020 and is on track to meet its 2030 net-zero target. The airport achieved a 19% decrease in scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2023 and a 37% decrease from the 2012 baseline.
- Salmon Safe Recertification: YVR successfully recertified its Salmon Safe certification, demonstrating ongoing environmental stewardship in areas such as stormwater management, water quality protection, pesticide reduction, and ecological enhancement.
- Water Efficiency: YVR achieved a 48% improvement in water efficiency per passenger, just short of the 50% target. This improvement reflects significant progress in reducing water usage at the airport.
- Waste Diversion: Wendy noted that the waste diversion target of 60% was not met, with the airport achieving a 54% diversion rate. The pandemic impacted waste management systems, but efforts are ongoing to improve waste diversion and management.
Wendy provided an overview of the new Environmental Sustainability Plan, highlighting three main focus areas:
- Climate Change: The plan aims to reduce emissions through the road map to net zero, develop an energy strategy for future needs, and enhance climate resilience.
- Archaeology and Heritage: The focus is on protecting and preserving archaeological, cultural, and heritage sites, while respecting Musqueam's personal connection to the land.
- Waste Reduction: The plan targets reducing waste generation, increasing waste diversion, and creating a pathway to net zero waste.
Additionally, the plan outlines all environmental management programs to ensure the impact of airport operations is managed effectively.
5. Salmon-Safe Certification
Yeganeh provided an update on YVR's Salmon Safe certification, which was first achieved in 2016 with recertified in 2022. She discussed ongoing environmental stewardship efforts, including stormwater management, water quality protection, pesticide reduction, and ecological enhancement. YVR is developing a two-year plan to guide the next phase of Salmon Safe.
6. Overview on 6PPD-Quinone Research at YVR
Jessica discussed the emerging contaminant 6 PPD quinone, which is toxic to coho salmon among other species. YVR has been conducting sampling in waterways to monitor its presence and impact. Jessica explained the sampling methodology and results, highlighting the importance of understanding storm dynamics and catchment characteristics. Jessica also highlighted YVR’s collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Simon Fraser University for analytical analysis of samples. Future work includes increasing sample size, exploring green stormwater infrastructure effectiveness, and understanding the variability of storm dynamics and catchment characteristics.
7. Updates on Development Projects at YVR
Wendy provided an update on the North Runway rehabilitation program, which aims to enhance functionality, safety, and resiliency. The project includes concrete panel repairs, drainage improvements, electrical and lighting upgrades, and an asphalt overlay. Environmental monitoring and archaeological assessments are in place, and communication with surrounding communities is ongoing.
Wendy discussed the repair and maintenance work needed for the approach lighting pier for runway 08 left. The project involves cleaning steel piles, applying a coating, and wrapping them with marine tidal wrap to prevent further corrosion. As the project is located on the mud flats outside of the dike, environmental precautions are being taken. The project was shared on the Impact Assessment registry.
8. Round Table and Discussion
Participants shared updates from their respective organizations, including ongoing remediation work, invasive species management, and regional greenhouse gas emissions inventory and air quality monitoring reports.
Rene McKibbin from Canadian Wildlife Service provided updates on invasive species management, restoration work at Wood Island Marsh, and new informational signage. She also mentioned coordination efforts regarding off-leash dogs at McDonald Beach.
Olivia shared information about the Yellow Fish Program (painted logo adjacent storm catch basins) and its citywide launch, as well as sustainable outreach efforts related to 6 PPD quinone. Hayley provided updates on various area plans and the integration of the Vancouver Plan into the official development plan, including ecological planning.
Babak Behnia with the City of Richmond shared updates on the official community plan amendments, including environmental protection policies and an updated map of environmentally sensitive areas. They also mentioned a development permit application for new industrial buildings on Lysander Rd.
Mark mentioned a survey on the presence of Canada geese and their impact on shoreline erosion near Musqueam, which may have implications for YVR on the other side of the river.
9. Upcoming Meetings
Brenden shared details about the upcoming summer field trip on July 22nd, which will include topics such as habitat restoration, water quality, energy and GHG initiatives, wildlife management, water conservation, and waste management. Participants are encouraged to provide input on specific interests.
- Summer tour – July 22nd 11:30 to 4:30
- Thursday Oct 16th 1-3 pm
Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.