As a community-based organization, Vancouver International Airport Authority is committed to the long-term health and vitality of our surrounding communities. We recognize that our success as a global operator comes from our dedication to environmental excellence and our responsibility in communicating our plans and activities to our communities.

Environmental Excellence

Safety, security and environmental excellence are the underlying objectives guiding all our initiatives.

We are committed to operating and developing the airport in an environmentally responsible manner. We continue to improve environmental management systems with the goal of being certified to ISO 14001, an international environmental management standard.

The Environment, Health and Safety Management System was developed specifically for the Airport Authority. Motivating and empowering employees to improve environmental, health and safety performance is important to the Airport Authority. To help achieve this, regular events and workshops are held, such as boat trips on the Fraser River, a health and safety fair, intranet games and entertaining presentations to staff.

Environmental Mission: to ensure that activities undertaken at YVR are carried out in an environmentally responsible manner; in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and accepted management practices; and with sensitivity to community and public concerns.

Noise Management

The Airport Authority recognizes that noise associated with air travel can affect our surrounding neighbourhoods. We are taking a proactive approach to manage and monitor noise, involving our community whenever possible.

In 1999, Transport Canada approved a five-year Noise Management Plan for the airport. The plan was prepared though extensive consultations with the community and the Aeronautical Noise Management Committee.

Through this process, we were able to identify 22 key initiatives to improve the noise environment around the airport. The initiatives address issues related to:

• Engine run-ups
• Reverse thrust noise
• Night-time departures
• Capacity
• Land use planning
• Air Traffic Control procedures