Toronto (April 8, 2021) — Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is proud today to present its fourth annual Sustainability Report, which documents measures taken to implement policies, programs and initiatives to make the airport cleaner, greener and quieter in an effort to set a new standard for how a modern airport operates in an urban environment.
 
In this report, Billy Bishop Airport has aligned its environmental initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). The UN-SDGs are 17 specific goals intended as a universal call to action to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The framework has been adopted by government bodies around the world including the Canadian federal government in its Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada.
 
PortsToronto’s priorities focus on the areas in which the organization can have the greatest impact and influence in building a sustainable future, namely Climate Action; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Life on Land; Partnerships for the Goals; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; and, Decent Work and Economic Growth. The report also features a comprehensive performance summary, which provides a detailed overview of the airport’s achievements to date, and clearly defines Billy Bishop Airport’s future goals in sustainability as well as areas for improvement as the airport continues to assess the impacts of its efforts.
 
“One year in, the global COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our operations and affect the airline industry overall. While some of our key projects were inevitably delayed in 2020 due to the pandemic, we were able to maximize efficiency in others and throughout, Billy Bishop Airport has persevered in maintaining operational capabilities and continuing to serve our community,” said Gene Cabral, Executive Vice President, PortsToronto and Billy Bishop Airport.
 
“In 2020, as part of our ongoing mission to make the airport cleaner, greener and quieter, we continued to study the sources, impacts and mitigation strategies for ground noise at the airport and shifted our consultations online to maintain important dialogue with our community,” continued Cabral. “Further, we were able to expedite the completion of our Cityside Modernization Project, which incorporates climate resiliency measures that will help protect our facilities in the long term. With respect to commercial operations, we are hopeful that recent signs of recovery point toward a return to normalcy. With our Safe Travels Program in place, we are prepared to welcome passengers back to Billy Bishop Airport when the time is right.”
 
In 2020, Billy Bishop Airport continued to implement sustainable practices, support the community and the wellbeing of its employees, and invest in programs and infrastructure that protect the environment and grow Toronto’s economy. Some of these initiatives include:

• Converting the airport’s Marilyn Bell I passenger/vehicle ferry to electric-power, which will significantly reduce noise associated with ferry operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 530 tonnes. This project is expected to be completed in 2021;
• Completing the Billy Bishop Airport Cityside Modernization Project, an important component of the City of Toronto-led Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan which included the complete reconstruction of the Eireann Quay roadway and sidewalks, as well as climate resiliency measures including permeable paving to reduce storm water runoff and urban heat island effect;
• Continuing a Ground Noise Study aimed at identifying, understanding and mitigating the airport’s most significant sources of operational noise; and,
• Continuing to choose 100% green electricity from Bullfrog Power—the only airport in Canada to do so; and,
• Launching the Billy Bishop Airport Safe Travels Program in August 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which encapsulates our commitment to delivering a safe experience for our passengers as well as those who work in the airport.

Billy Bishop Airport’s sustainability report was prepared in consultation with Delphi Group, a pioneer in sustainability and environmental risk management with more than 25 years of experience helping some of Canada’s best-known companies improve the sustainability of their organizations.
 
To read Billy Bishop Airport’s full sustainability report, click here or visit www.billybishopairport.com.
 
About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
 
Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 80 international destinations via our airlines’ networks, Billy Bishop Airport is an important international gateway and a key driver to Toronto’s economy, generating more than $470 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year and supporting 4,740 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport operations. Billy Bishop Airport is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency and customer service and has won a series of passenger-driven awards. Commercial service at the airport was temporarily suspended in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

About Delphi Group
The environmental priority areas detailed in the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Sustainability Report were assessed by Delphi Group. As a pioneer in sustainability and environmental risk management, the Delphi Group has more than 25 years of experience helping some of Canada’s best-known companies improve the sustainability of their organizations — as well as the local and global communities in which they operate.
 
   
Media Contact:
Jessica Pellerin
Media and Public Affairs Specialist
PortsToronto
Cell: (647) 298-0585
E-mail: jpellerin@portstoronto.com