PortsToronto Releases First Annual Sustainability Report

Environmental, Social and Economic Priorities and Progress Detailed in Report

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TORONTO, Jan. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - PortsToronto today released its first annual sustainability report which details performance on three key priorities associated with the organization's sustainability efforts – specifically environmental protection, community engagement and economic performance. These priorities are in keeping with the Global Reporting Initiative that has developed a comprehensive Sustainability Reporting Framework that is used by more than 7,000 organizations in 60 countries around the world to measure sustainability performance and is considered a best practice in public disclosure.

The report details PortsToronto's focus on sustainable practices, investments and initiatives that protect the environment, support the community and grow Toronto's economy. These initiatives include:

• Powering 100 per cent of PortsToronto's port, airport, marina and real estate operations with renewable energy from Bullfrog Power;
• Annual dredging and removal of approximately 68,000 tonnes of material from the Keating Channel and Toronto Harbour to prevent flooding of the Don River and to keep the Harbour clean for all to enjoy;
• Creation of new natural habitats to increase biodiversity, such as the development of a nine-hectare wetland habitat for fish, birds and wildlife at the Leslie Street Spit; and,
• Investment of more than $8 million in community and environmental initiatives since 2009, supporting such organizations as Evergreen Brickworks, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Harbourfront Community Centre and Ireland Park Foundation.

"For PortsToronto, sustainability is about more than being 'green,'" said Geoffrey Wilson, CEO, PortsToronto. "By looking at our operations and successes through a lens of community, economic and environmental sustainability, and reporting on areas such as noise management, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and local job creation we can ensure that we are focusing on the long-term future of our organization, while investing in the communities in which we operate." 

Key areas of focus in 2016 will include GHG emissions reductions, waste reduction, noise mitigation and continued investment in Toronto's waterfront community. Each year, a new sustainability report for PortsToronto will be made available online to provide regular updates on the organization's achievements and progress related to each of the next steps identified in the report.

The environmental portion of PortsToronto's sustainability report was prepared in consultation with the Delphi Group, a pioneer in sustainability and environmental risk management with more than 25 years of experience helping some of Canada's best-known companies improve the sustainability of their organizations.

To read PortsToronto's full sustainability report, click here or visit www.PortsToronto.com. To view a short video on what sustainability means to PortsToronto, click here.

About PortsToronto (http://www.portstoronto.com/)
For more than 100 years PortsToronto, (formerly the Toronto Port Authority), has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomes more than two million passengers each year; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Terminals 51 and 52, which provide transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $8 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.

About The Delphi Group
The environmental priority areas detailed in PortsToronto's sustainability report were assessed by The Delphi Group. As a pioneer in sustainability and environmental risk management, the Delphi Group has more than 25 years of experience helping some of Canada's best-known companies improve the sustainability of their organizations — as well as the local and global communities in which they operate. For more information visit www.delphi.ca.

SOURCE PortsToronto

Video with caption: "Video: PortsToronto today released its first annual sustainability report which details performance on three key priorities associated with the organization’s sustainability efforts – specifically environmental protection, community engagement and economic performance.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9HpRAveYHg

Media Contact: Erin Mikaluk, Senior Manager, Communications & Media Relations, PortsToronto, Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]