Comox Valley Airport Celebrated Earth Day By Becoming Carbon Neutral

The Comox Valley Airport celebrated Earth Day on Saturday by becoming Carbon Neutral, announcing that the civilian terminal at YQQ is now Carbon Neutral.

The airport says its commitment to environmental sustainability is highlighted in its Green House Gas Reduction Strategy and Path to Carbon Zero. 

YQQs Sustainability Team recently completed a comprehensive greenhouse gas audit to quantify the airport’s carbon footprint and certification as a Climate Smart business was granted in March 2022.

Lights throughout the terminal, apron and parking areas have been retrofitted to LED to reduce electrical usage. Exterior outlets are being increased to provide ground power for airlines in place of diesel-powered generators. 

In addition, the airport says it's in the process of changing the majority of our gas-powered equipment to electric, further reducing the demand for fossil fuels. 

However, while significant gains are being made, the terminal was not designed to current passive standards and the largest source of carbon emissions remains the heating system.

To mitigate the emissions that cannot currently be eliminated, the Comox Valley Airport has invested in carbon credits, purchasing 150 tons of GHG credits in support of the Great Bear Forest Carbon Project.

Airport CEO Mike Atkins says while they celebrate the achievements, their work to reduce their impact on the environment continues to evolve, with the hub joining the Airport Council International Airport Carbon Accreditation program, a global, airport-specific carbon standard - providing the framework to guide their efforts for the future well-being and prosperity of the Comox Valley.

To see the full Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy and Path to Carbon Zero, visit Comox Valley Airport.