Environment
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is committed to operating a cleaner, greener, and quieter airport, investing in our community, and offering unparalleled convenience for our passengers. In doing so, we are helping a brighter future take flight.
Choosing Renewable Energy
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport chooses Bullfrog Power’s renewable electricity from wind, solar and low-impact hydro sources to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and drive progress on organizational, national and global sustainability goals. Since partnering with Bullfrog in 2010, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has avoided over 20,000 tonnes of GHG emissions. This is equivalent to:
- 4,511 cars taken off the road for one year
- 766,747 lightbulbs switched to LEDs
- 9,825 hectares of forest growing for a year
By choosing green electricity and making significant investments in order to reduce our direct emissions, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is modelling sustainable business practices and is part of a growing movement to help Canada transition to a low-carbon economy.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is committed to contributing to local, national and global efforts to mitigate climate change. Read our commitment to climate action here.
Reducing Emissions
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has made significant investments in recent years to reduce its direct emissions.
The conversion of the Marilyn Bell ferry to 100 per cent electric power eliminated nearly all GHG emissions from the ferry’s operation, reducing Scope 1 emissions at the airport by approximately 530 tonnes per year. This electrification also had the added advantage of significantly reducing noise caused by ferry operations, ticking all of the boxes in Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s cleaner, greener and quieter vision for its operations.
From investing in electric power, to replacing Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport security vehicles with compact, battery-powered electric vehicles to enforcing an anti-idling policy for vehicles on all of its properties, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is working to reduce emissions from its vehicle fleet and maintenance equipment.
Electric shuttle buses have been ordered to replace the diesel-powered fleet that connects passengers to Union Station. When these buses hit the road, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will have effectively “greened” every mode of airport access under our control.
Managing Noise
Managing noise is a key part of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s commitment to the environment and the well-being of its surrounding community. As part of this commitment, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport runs a comprehensive, multi-faceted Noise Management Program.
Learn more: Noise Management
Supporting Our Community
At its core, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is in the service of people. From our passengers, to our community and to our partners and staff, we are working toward a common goal – a livable, sustainable and prosperous Toronto.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport drives tourism and trade, provides access for critical emergency medevac care and supports thousands of jobs in the Greater Toronto Area, contributing to the economic stability of our region.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is committed to investing in the community in which it operates and helping to build a sustainable city. Since 2009, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has invested more than $23 million in charitable initiatives and environmental programs.
Recognition
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has been recognized by Airports Council International (ACI) for its efforts to protect and preserve the environment through our programs, initiatives and projects. In 2017, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport won the top award for its Noise Management Program; in 2019, the airport won Best Innovative Project for the successful completion of its three-year Airfield Rehabilitation Program; and in 2020, the airport won for its Master Plan, which was inclusive of many initiatives to protect the environment.
In 2023, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was awarded an Airports Going Green Award Honorable Mention in recognition of its project to make access to the airport electric, representing outstanding achievement in pursuit of sustainability within the aviation industry.
Accountability
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport publishes annual Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) reports, which offer a comprehensive account of environmental and social performance, and track key indicators such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic impact, in line with globally accepted best practices.
Facts and Figures
- 2 million Passengers served in 2023
- $2.1 billion Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s total economic output
- $6 million Infrastructure investment under the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport banner in 2023
- 4,450 Jobs supported, 2,080 of which were directly associated with airport operations
- 78 per cent Torontonians who agreed that the airport plays a central role in business, health care and job creation for the city
- First airport in North America to transition to PFAS-free foam in firefighting operations
- 20,231 tCO2e Emissions avoided due to the use of Bullfrog Power in our operations
- 505.59 tCO2e GHG emissions offset by converting the waste generated at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to energy
- 66,906 Pieces of tiny trash removed from the Toronto Harbour in 2023 through Trash Trapping Program
- 2,674 Medevac flights operated by Ornge’s base at the airport in 2023
- $360,000+ Charitable donations, sponsorships and community investment in 2023
- 30+ Organizations supported in 2023