Images courtesy Partners in Project Green

An aerial view of Toronto Pearson International Airport and the surrounding business community—The Pearson Eco-business Zone.

A Toronto Pearson International Airport initiative is the first to be recognized as a special/innovative project in the Airports Council International-North America's (ACI-NA's) 2009 Environmental Achievement Awards. The program, Partners in Project Green, stemmed from of a partnership between the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA).

Launched in October 2008, the initiative represents a business community focused on collaborating to enhance their financial and environmental performance by creating a 'Pearson Eco-business Zone' around the airport. The project aims to help companies lower energy and resource costs, identify new business opportunities, and handle daily operation challenges sustainably and cost-effectively. In addition, it looks at green space improvements, employee health and productivity, and green jobs.

As the country's largest employment area, the Pearson Eco-business Zone contains more than 12,500 companies and 350,000 employees in industries related to transportation/logistics, automotive supply chain, food and beverage, as well as business related to the airport. Partners in Project Green is set to transform the 12,000-ha (30,000-acre) area surrounding the airport into North America's largest green business zone.

Chris Rickett, a senior project manager for Partners in Project Green at TRCA, commended GTAA for its work on the program.

"Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is proud to see its partner GTAA being recognized for their leadership in developing and implementing Partners in Project Green," he told Construction Canada Online. What's great about GTAA is they understand sustainability, but, just as important, they see the business opportunities in addressing environmental issues. As we continue to work together on Partners in Project Green, both GTAA and TRCA, along with our other municipal and corporate partners, look forward to engaging companies around Toronto Pearson in realizing new business opportunities from embracing and addressing sustainability issues."

The airport will be honoured among other winners at next month's ACI-NA's 18^th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Austin, Texas.

The Pearson Eco-business Zone encompasses over 12,000 ha (30,000 acres) of industrial and commercial land surrounding Toronto Pearson International Airport and the municipalities of Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton.