Edmonton International Airport (YEG) Joins Forces With Global Leaders to Combat Climate Change

Dec. 12, 2023

Edmonton International Airport (YEG) has signed onto the Transport Canada-led global memorandum of understanding (MOU) to showcase collective dedication to accelerating the growth of international green shipping corridors.

“Our Airport City Sustainability Campus is focused on world-leading sustainability and innovation practices. We recognize the value of strategic partnerships and believe that sustainable changes cannot be done in isolation. It takes our global community to work together to make meaningful progress on reducing emissions across the multi-modal transportation sector. This MOU will ensure Edmonton is firmly positioned within the international logistics community as a sustainability leader, opening new possibilities for our future.” - Myron Keehn, President & CEO, Edmonton International Airport (YEG)

The MOU showcases international collaboration to connect green shipping corridors between Canada’s West Coast and ports in the United Arab Emirates, Korea and Japan. As an inland port with uncongested access to major rail lines and North American highway networks, YEG stands ready to adopt green shipping technologies at scale and is already ahead of the curve.

Anchored by a planned 112 MW solar farm, the International Cargo Hub expansion at YEG is supported by the Government of Canada with up to $100 million. The Government of Alberta has also supported this expansion with the construction of a new QEII Highway overpass, allowing for efficient access to YEG’s cargo village.

The electrification of the first and last mile of e-commerce deliveries is also well underway at YEG, hosting Canada’s first-ever operation of commercial drone deliveries at an international airport.

Several new initiatives in 2023, like the procurement of a fleet of Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, demonstrate a commitment to decarbonizing all aspects of airport operations. Edmonton International Airport is the only Canadian airport to participate in the MOU, along with the Port of Vancouver and the Port of Prince Rupert. The MOU signing is part of COP28, in Dubai, UAE, bringing together leaders from government, businesses, NGOs and civil society to find sustainable solutions to the defining climate issues of our time.

YEG is on its way to net-zero emissions by 2040 and is actively building partnerships and pathways for the adoption of emerging sustainable technologies. To learn more about sustainability initiatives at YEG, please visit flyeia.com/esg.