PortsToronto Details Sustainability Progress with Release of Third Annual Sustainability Report

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Toronto (March 1, 2018) – PortsToronto is proud to release its third annual Sustainability Report, which details progress in three priority areas that define sustainability for the organization — environmental stewardship, community engagement and economic performance. In this third edition, PortsToronto undertakes efforts to refine our sustainability priorities and ensure the report reflects the sustainability topics that are most relevant to the organization and its stakeholders. The report continues to consolidate all of the work we are doing to employ environmental best practices throughout our operations so that we can continue to measure our efforts and maximize the impact of our sustainability initiatives.
 
The report details PortsToronto’s focus on sustainable practices, investments and initiatives that protect the environment, support the community and grow Toronto’s economy. Some of these initiatives include:
 
  • Constructing a noise-dampening Ground Run-up Enclosure at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport;
  • Continuing to choose 100% green electricity from Bullfrog Power across all operations and utilizing hybrid-electric vehicles for maintenance operations where feasible;
  • Creating new green spaces and natural habitats to increase biodiversity; and,
  • Investing $10 million in community and environmental initiatives since 2009, supporting such organizations as Evergreen Brickworks, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre and Ireland Park Foundation.
“In this third annual report we continue to build upon the strong foundations and goals we have set for ourselves in previous editions of this report while also reflecting on what we can do better or differently to maximize our sustainability efforts. From the completion of the state-of-the-art Ground Run-up Enclosure to removing personal waste bins to promote recycling, we highlight initiatives large and small that demonstrate our commitment to operating sustainably,” said Geoffrey Wilson, CEO, PortsToronto. “By looking at our operations with respect to economic performance, community engagement and environmental protection and reporting on areas such as noise management, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, waste management, power usage and safety, we can ensure that we are investing in the long-term future of our organization and conducting our business with respect for the environment and the community.”
 
These three areas of focus are in keeping with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) that has developed a comprehensive Sustainability Reporting Framework that is widely used around the world to measure sustainability performance and is considered a best practice in public disclosure.
 
PortsToronto’s sustainability report was prepared in consultation with the 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 PortsToronto’s full sustainability report, click here or visit www.portstoronto.com.
 
About PortsToronto (http://www.portstoronto.com/)
For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed more than 2.8 million passengers in 2017; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Terminals 51 and 52, which provide transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested $10 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.
 
About The Delphi Group
The environmental priority areas detailed in PortsToronto’s sustainability report were assessed by The 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. For more information visit www.delphi.ca.
 
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Media Contact:
Jen Brailsford, Communications Officer
PortsToronto
Tel: (416) 863-2016
Cell: (647) 298-0585
E-mail: jbrailsford@portstoronto.com