YQM Achieves Level 1 Airport Carbon Accreditation and Receives Recognition from Green Economy NB

GREATER MONCTON, NB, November 9, 2023 – YQM’s unwavering pledge to environmental sustainability and carbon reduction has been recently recognized through two important initiatives. The Greater Moncton International Airport Authority (GMIAA) is proud to announce that YQM achieved Level 1 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program with Airports Council International (ACI). YQM also received the “Rookie of the Year” Award from Green Economy New Brunswick (GENB) on September 28, 2023.

The Airport Carbon Accreditation program is the only institutionally endorsed global carbon management certification program for airports. It independently assesses and recognizes the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions. The program provides a unique common framework and tools for active carbon management at airports with measurable results. Obtaining Level 1 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program required measuring and making an inventory of the airport’s carbon footprint.

“This accreditation is a direct reflection of our team’s continued dedication to reducing our carbon emissions and minimizing YQM’s environmental footprint,” expressed GMIAA’s President and CEO, Courtney Burns. “With the recovery now well underway, our refreshed strategic plan has a commitment to carbon reduction as one of our four strategic priorities and I’m thrilled to reignite investments in our environmental stewardship.”

“As an ambitious industry, airports are doing their part to be good partners by promoting sustainability and environmentally responsible practices,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “I applaud YQM’s ongoing participation in the Airport Carbon Accreditation program to lower its carbon footprint. I look forward to more growth in the program as YQM helps set our industry on a path toward continued success in innovation and sustainability.” As part of this commitment, YQM joined GENB in January 2023. GENB is a bilingual, non-profit Green Economy Hub working with local businesses of all sectors and sizes to accelerate New Brunswick’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The Hub helps organizations take action on climate change and build sustainability into their operations by offering tools and resources to measure their carbon footprint, identify GHG reduction opportunities, and engage their team to set and achieve sustainability goals.

GENB was impressed by how quickly YQM’s team completed the airport’s initial Green House Gas inventory, along with the team’s enthusiasm towards carbon reduction, and the innovative approach taken to organize a joint employee engagement session to brainstorm ideas to reduce the airport’s carbon footprint. As a result, the GMIAA was presented with the ‘Rookie of the Year’ Award during GENB’s first annual Evening of Recognition.

“Joining GENB and being quickly recognized as an enthusiastic and engaged organization within the same year is an honor. This was possible thanks to the great team of people that we have at YQM who have made meaningful contributions toward this key strategic objective for the airport,” added Burns. “We’re inspired by the steps the Greater Moncton Roméo-LeBlanc International Airport is taking to reduce its emissions and make the transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Green Economy Canada’s Director of Sustainability & Innovation, Emma Murphy. “Green Economy New Brunswick is excited to be working with YQM as they continue on their sustainability journey, and we look forward to seeing the airport achieve their sustainability goals.”

The next step for YQM is to formalize its carbon reduction strategy and action plan.

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About Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM)

YQM is a progressive airport and the leading airport in the central Maritimes. 24/7/365 – everyone associated with the airport strives to provide superior air service to passengers traveling all over the world and to the global cargo industry -safe, convenient, efficient, bilingual, and businesslike.

YQM also strives to maximize its contribution to local and regional economic and community development – it currently drives over $665 million of economic activity annually, making it one of the top private-sector economic contributors to New Brunswick’s economy.

Your economy. Your airport.

Media relations
Sheila Lagacé, Sr. Corporate Communications Specialist
M: (506) 850-2592
slagace@cyqm.ca