Environment Initiatives

The GTAA has an active Environment department that monitors air, water and noise quality, and continues to improve the environment around Toronto Pearson through its extensive Environment Management System. They partner with the Corporate Social Responsibility division, other employees and the community to find creative solutions for ongoing environmental initiatives.

Environmental Management System

Toronto Pearson was the first North American airport to have an Environmental Management system achieve ISO 14001:2004 certification. First certified in 1999, the GTAA established a comprehensive Environmental Management System to monitor and improve environmental performance in all aspects of airport operations.

Certification for the ISO 14001 standard requires an ongoing commitment to pollution prevention, compliance with legislation and continual improvement. We have successfully maintained certification every year since inception and have just celebrated our tenth anniversary.

Environment Week and Earth Hour

In 2008 and 2009, the GTAA participated in Earth Hour, successfully reducing power in the terminals for that critical hour. We reduced energy through heating, ventilation and lighting reductions throughout our facilities by 10.5% in 2009, and it was a good opportunity to test long-term reduction possibilities.

The annual Canadian Environment Week is another chance to work with our employees and communities to help make better environmental choices. Cleaning up Etobicoke and Spring Creeks with local schools is a fun way to make sure our watersheds are kept clean for everyone downstream.

Transportation

In our Roadways to Runways event in May 2009, hundreds of airport employees discovered new environmentally friendly and economical ways to get to the airport. Representatives from the various transit agencies identified specific routes for employees who thought the Airport was only accessible by car. Our annual Clean Air Commute challenge, partnering with Smart Commute, is another way to encourage employees to try out different ways of getting to work. We even had several participants get out their bicycles for Bike-to-Work day, some of whom continue to bike in on occasion from across the city.

We are looking forward to the new initiative to build a train from Union Station to Toronto Pearson, helping us to provide cost-friendly, environmental and speedy transportation options for our travellers. See the Metrolinx website for full details.

Stormwater Management

The GTAA’s efforts in stormwater management have significantly improved the quality of stormwater leaving the Airport. Our Central Deicing Facility allows for comprehensive collection of glycol-contaminated runoff, with waste glycol being concentrated for sale to secondary markets.

Green Buildings

Our first Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) silver-certifiable building came into operation in 2007. The Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI) is a state-of-the-art facility that features many technologies to minimize its environmental footprint, such as a solar wall, green roof, recycled building materials and water-saving systems.

Air Quality

The GTAA has made substantial changes to reduce vehicle emissions from traffic on Airport property. We have a fleet of 21 hybrid vehicles, an anti-idling program, a new LINK Train to eliminate inter-terminal bussing, a requirement to use electric vehicle in terminals, and pre-conditioned air/400 Hz power at terminal gates to prevent aircraft from having to use engines while parked on gate.