January 11, 2010

West Coast Air Issues Challenge to BC Businesses
Pacific Carbon Trust certifies company as carbon neutral

West Coast Air today issued a challenge to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in BC, to take comprehensive action to reduce their carbon emissions. At an event at its Vancouver harbour terminal, management and crew celebrated West Coast Air achieving carbon neutrality for its entire operations, including all flights. The event also marked the official launch of a new carbon neutral designation from Pacific Carbon Trust, and included participation by BC Minister of State for Climate Action, John Yap.

The challenge from West Coast Air follows the airline's multi-year strategy that measured its carbon footprint and took emissions-reduction actions. The company then worked with Pacific Carbon Trust to offset all remaining emissions.

"Throughout this journey, West Coast Air leadership and employee teams learned many lessons, but also saw greater efficiencies and cost savings within our day-to-day operations," explained Rick Baxter, president and CEO of West Coast Air. "Moreover, we saw the opportunity for more carbon management leadership among SMEs in BC, so in addition to working alongside organizations like Pacific Carbon Trust, we’re challenging other businesses in this province to follow our lead and take on their own carbon reduction strategy. We want to help them by sharing our own story, including the challenges we faced and the work we still need to do."

As a small business, West Coast Air turned to outside experts and programs to assist with its carbon management strategy. Carbon measurement was completed through the Climate Smart program, which also identified areas for potential reduction. In addition to choosing low-impact electricity from Bullfrog Power, the company asked its employees to identify and carry out reduction actions. After that, an offset plan was developed in conjunction with Pacific Carbon Trust, a Crown corporation with a mandate to build BC's low carbon economy.

"Small and medium sized businesses in our province will play a key role in meeting our climate action targets," said John Yap, Minister of State for Climate Action. "Kudos to West Coast Air for committing to reducing its carbon footprint and supporting the made-in-B.C. carbon market."

West Coast Air flights are now carbon neutral, due to the airline's commitment to offset all of the net emissions through Pacific Carbon Trust. This means passengers do not have to make a decision to offset their individual flights as they might with other carriers, nor pay a fee to do so. West Coast Air plans to promote this new feature at each of its six terminals.

"People around the world are changing the way they live in order to reduce their carbon footprint – and consumers are demanding that businesses and industries change too," said Scott MacDonald, CEO of Pacific Carbon Trust. "We're pleased to partner with progressive BC businesses like West Coast Air to help them meet their sustainability goals, and in doing so, supporting real and permanent carbon reductions that benefit us all."

West Coast Air's strategy is ongoing and involves embedding sustainable initiatives across the organization. It is also enhancing its community investment, employee engagement and customer education programs, to promote high participation from its stakeholders.

About West Coast Air
West Coast Air offers daily scheduled flights to Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox, and the Sunshine Coast. Locally owned and operated, the carbon neutral company has 40 years of floatplane experience that brings communities together. West Coast Air is committed to environmental responsibility and providing safe, convenient, air travel throughout coastal British Columbia.

About Pacific Carbon Trust
Pacific Carbon Trust is a Crown corporation established in 2008 to deliver BC-based greenhouse gas offsets to help clients meet their carbon reduction goals and to support the growth of BC's low-carbon economy.