Decarbonization Action Plan

YKF has developed a Decarbonization Action Plan to identify tangible steps the Airport will take to reduce GHG emissions. The Plan is based on Synergy’s Airport Decarbonization Strategy and a report supplied by the Region’s energy department, which identified general strategies to reduce emissions.

The Plan identifies actions which are expected to have the largest impact on reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions while also working with tenants and stakeholders to influence the reduction of Scope 3 emissions. Actions vary from short-term energy reduction measures to long-term strategic actions to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

The following summarizes the actions in the Decarbonization Action Plan:

Establish development standards for Region and tenants that ensure we meet our net-zero target.
Develop an airport access strategy that provides sustainable transportation options for access to the Airport, including public transit.
Electrify ground vehicles and explore replacement of heavy-duty equipment with zero emission options.
Encourage emissions reductions among Airport partners by establishing an Airport Climate Committee and Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
Create an emissions reduction strategy for tenant-owned facilities that includes requirements and incentives for tenants to switch to low emission alternatives.
Develop partnerships with the local community and business organizations to advance innovative sustainability initiatives, including the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) and Aerospace Accelerator program at the Accelerator Centre.
Support the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen by anticipating infrastructure requirements and exploring collaborative partnerships with potential hydrogen users.
Improve the energy efficiency of the terminal building and other airport facilities through completion of a building recommissioning study, installation of smart metering infrastructure, and transition of building systems to low-carbon alternatives.
Develop an EV charging strategy to further expand charging infrastructure.
Explore opportunities for onsite renewable energy systems, including solar cell, geothermal, and battery energy storage systems.
Develop an electricity supply plan with Enova Power to ensure future Airport electricity demand can be met.
Complete a waste audit to identify opportunities to optimize waste diversion.