GHG Emissions Profile

Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are divided between Scope 1, 2 and 3 as follows:

• Scope 1 consists of emissions from assets owned or controlled by the airport, such as natural gas and fuel consumed by airport equipment
• Scope 2 consists of emissions from energy purchased by the airport, such as electricity
• Scope 3 consists of emissions from indirect sources, such as tenant energy use and passenger fuel consumption

Scope 1 and 2 Emissions

An inventory of YKF’s Scope 1 and 2 GHGs in 2023 found that the majority of emissions come from airside vehicles and equipment (46%) and from natural gas that is used for space and hot water heating in airport facilities (39%). Other emission sources included electricity (14%), emergency power generation and de-icing (1%).

The Airport’s total Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) are as follows:

• 2021 – 455 tonnes
• 2022 – 629 tonnes
• 2023 – 804 tonnes
• 2024 – 726 tonnes

YKF’s emissions profile is expected to change significantly as the airport continues to grow and invests in infrastructure development. To limit emissions growth, increasing energy efficiency and electrifying heating systems and vehicles are the airport’s top priority, along with examining the viability of renewable electricity generation on site.

Scope 3 Emissions

The Airport does not currently track all Scope 3 carbon emissions, but major sources include:

• Aircraft fuel consumption;
• Passenger and staff commuting;
• Tenant operations such as facility energy use and fuel;
• Construction;
• Waste; and,
• Sewage treatment.

Although the Airport does not directly control Scope 3 emissions, we are committed to supporting efforts to reduce these emissions by taking the following actions:

• Partnering with the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) to drive meaningful and sustainable change in the aviation industry by providing researchers opportunities for testing within an airside environment.
• Developing an airport access strategy to promote sustainable modes of transportation, encouraging more public transit service, and installing EV charging infrastructure.
• Establishing tenant development standards, including requirements and incentives for our tenants and partner airlines to switch to low emission alternatives.
• Developing a Stakeholder Engagement Plan including an Airport Climate Committee to promote wider airport-based emissions reductions from major activities.
• Exploring opportunities to support sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen.
• Pursuing a strategy to optimize waste diversion.

We are excited to be part of an emerging sustainable aviation industry that is taking steps to reduce climate impacts through:

• Novel low-carbon propulsion systems (e.g. electric and hydrogen powered engines)
• Technological improvements (e.g. aircraft design, engines, materials etc.)
• Green manufacturing practices (e.g. recycled materials)
• Optimized air navigation (e.g. aircraft routing, flight optimization)
• Sustainable aviation fuels from renewable sources (e.g. cooking oils, fats, plant oils, municipal, agricultural and forestry waste)
• Carbon offsets