Harbour Air

Company Name: Harbour Air Seaplanes
Location: Richmond, BC, Canada
Industry Sector: Airline
Carbon Neutral Claim: Carbon Neutral Company
Carbon Neutral Since: October 1, 2007 for flight services and January 1, 2008 for corporate.
Scope 3 sources: Business travel, employee commuting, paper usage
GHG Reduction Targets: Yes
Public Disclosure: No  

Background
With over 25 years in business, and more than 30 aircraft, Harbour Air has become the largest all-seaplane company in the world. Recognizing the impact that aviation has on the climate, Harbour Air was the first airline in North America to achieve carbon neutrality. 

How we helped
A group of forward-thinking employees presented an idea to management in 2007 – that as a responsible corporate citizen, Harbour Air ought to take the step of measuring and understanding its greenhouse gas emissions. Offsetters was engaged to begin this process and worked closely with Harbour Air staff in gathering all the necessary data for a carbon footprint. Based upon the results of this footprint, Harbour Air implemented a six-part greenhouse gas management plan including:

1. A GHG inventory Quality Management System
2. An internal reductions plan for its office space, vehicle fleet and buildings
3. Target setting
4. Investment in carbon offsets
5. A mandatory offset purchase for its aviation passengers
6. A coop marketing plan to communicate the partnership and carbon neutrality

Results and key learnings
Carbon neutrality was a bold step in a space in which this was entirely new. However, both the company and their passengers embraced the small premium placed on top of the standard passenger fee.  This 50-cent per leg levy was calculated to offset each passenger’s emissions. In fact, instead of negatively impacting ridership, the number of passengers in the subsequent year increased by 12-15% and this can be attributed in large part to this company’s carbon neutrality. Since Harbour Air set this high bar, several of their competitors have followed in their carbon neutral steps.

Benefits
Harbour Air has continued to demonstrate leadership in this area and, to date, the company has offset more than 37,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions through the funding of energy efficiency and fuel-switching projects in British Columbia. As one of Canada’s Top 50 Best Managed companies and Top 100 Best Employers carbon management remains an important pillar for the airline.  In 2010 Offsetters and Harbour Air engaged the public with a ‘Fly Carbon Neutral’ wrapped turbo otter. The flying Otter was spotted on NBC during the Gold Medal Hockey game.

 

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