Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Safety
• Customer and Community Engagement
• Environmental Sustainability
• Employee Support
• Financial Sustainability

Environmental Achievements

• Shifted to BC liquefied natural gas (LNG), displacing more than 22% of total diesel fuel consumption.
• Achieved an emissions offset of 10,407mt CO2 equivalent through shore power usage.
• Recycled 251 metric tonnes of materials.
• Generated 1,239 metric tonnes of waste for the landfill, down from 1,911 metric tonnes the previous year.
• 15.0 GWh of shore power used.
• Baynes Sound Connector reduced diesel fuel consumption and GHG emissions by more than 50%.

Social Achievements

• Recognized as one of BC’s Top 100 Employers for the fifth year in a row.
• $43,000 raised for the United Way; half by employees matched by the company.
• $50,000 donated to the Victoria Rapid Relief Fund.
• Donated more than 3,000 pounds of perishable food from vessels and terminals to various food banks.
• 1 million masks donated in partnership with other organizations.
• Extensive negotiations with BC Ferry & Marine Worker’s Union resulted in a five-year agreement.

Governance Achievements

• Completed the most recent renewal of the 60-year service contract with the provincial government.
• Implemented rigorous COVID-19 cleaning and sanitization plans for vessels and terminals.
• Updated policies and procedures to reflect business changes and emerging requirements.
• Achieved renewal of the ISO9001:2015 certificate of approval for Quality Management.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• COVID-19 pandemic causing a 40% decline in passenger volume and 24% decline in vehicle traffic.
• Financial impacts of the pandemic.
• Capacity issues post-pandemic.

Mitigation Strategies

• Received $308 million in federal/provincial Safe Restart Funding.
• Adjusted operating costs and deferred capital spend.
• Launched a new website with new fare choices to address affordability.
• Focused on core operations – delivering essential goods and services.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Conducting market requests for quotes/proposals.
• Negotiating new contracts for diesel fuel and marine lubricants.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities

• Development of energy-efficient products and services

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Island Class ferries with battery-hybrid technology
• LNG-powered vessels

Awards & Recognition

• 2020 Blue Circle Award
• 2020 Green Wave Award
• Lloyd’s List Safety Training award

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Safety
• Customer Experience
• Environmental Sustainability
• Employee Well-being
• Financial Sustainability

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced GHG emissions from vessels and shore-based activities to approximately 322,000 tonnes of CO2e.
• 14.42 GWh of shore power used, generating an emissions-offset equivalent to taking 2,740 cars off the road each year.
• Diverted 262 metric tonnes of organics (up from 130 metric tonnes the previous year).
• Recycled 599 metric tonnes of materials (up from 251 metric tonnes the previous year).
• Received the 2021 Blue Circle Award from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the 2021 Green Wave Award from the Prince Rupert Port Authority, and 2021 Green Marine certification.

Social Achievements

• Launched Saver and Prepaid fare choices on routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
• Launched Saver Fares between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale.
• Launched reservations for walk-on passengers on routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
• Launched online ordering for Coastal Café on Spirit Class vessels.
• Launched a new application for commercial service business.
• Raised $40,000 for the United Way (matched by the company).
• $65,000 of in-kind travel in support of community and non-profit organizations.
• Provided in-kind travel support for community-led shoreline cleanups.
• Funds raised by employee golf tournament donated to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

Governance Achievements

• Completed standardized bridge upgrade project for all C-Class vessels.
• Conducted bridge simulation training equivalent to 364 personal training days.
• Upgraded safety management system.
• Successfully completed 20 refit projects and multiple capital projects including the Queen of Alberni life extension.
• Supported the acceptance of four new Island Class vessels and the introduction of the Salish Heron to our fleet.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Higher than expected retirements in key shipboard positions.
• Global shortage of mariners.
• Supply chain issues due to the pandemic and weather events.
• Increased health-related absences.

Mitigation Strategies

• Increased investment in internal development and training.
• Collaboration with other agencies to attract qualified candidates.
• Introduction of new procedures and designs to attract new workers.
• Staffing pools with crew held in reserve.
• Cross-training employees.
• Overtime pay for employees covering gaps.
• More efficient procurement approaches and processes.
• Working with key suppliers to ensure no critical systems or supplies were affected during major flooding.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• More efficient procurement approaches and processes.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, Green Marine

Certifications: ISO 9001:2015

Awards & Recognition

• 2020 United Way Spirit of Distinction Award
• 2021 Blue Circle Award
• 2021 Green Wave Award
• 2021 Green Marine certification

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Safety
• Employee well-being
• Community engagement
• Environmental sustainability
• Financial sustainability

Environmental Achievements

• Introduced four new Island Class ferries and a fourth advanced liquefied natural gas-fueled Salish Class vessel into service, providing enhanced service and reducing environmental impact.
• Increased use of renewable diesel and biodiesel, avoiding 14,000 tonnes of CO2e.
• Diverted over 26 tonnes of organics and recycling from the landfill.

Social Achievements

• Launched employee referral program, provided recognition payments, and made significant investments in training and development.
• Hired over 1,200 team members, supporting the largest recruitment effort in the company’s history.
• Signed first two relationship protocol agreements with Snuneymuxw First Nation and W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip First Nation).

Governance Achievements

• Submitted Performance Term Six filing to the British Columbia Ferries Commissioner to establish price caps for the next performance term.
• Established a Joint Planning Committee with the B.C. Ferry Authority to develop a new strategic planning framework and long-term vision.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Unprecedented labor shortages, particularly a global shortage of mariners, leading to service cancellations.
• Rising fuel prices, inflation, and service enhancements putting upward pressure on fares.

Mitigation Strategies

• Increased People & Culture staff resources and introduced enhanced training and development programs.
• Launched one of the largest hiring campaigns in BC Ferries’ history.
• Received $500 million in new funding from the B.C. government to keep annual average fare increases at or below 3 per cent a year.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Improved business processes, including automation of reports and use of handheld devices for inventory management.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Sea level rise
• Storm surges
• Changes in wave and wind patterns

Opportunities

• Expansion of hybrid operations and full electrification.

Awards & Recognition

• Green Marine certification (8th consecutive year)
• Blue Circle Award from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (6th consecutive year)
• Green Wave Award from the Prince Rupert Port Authority (5th consecutive year)