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.