Sustainable aviation starts with all of us.

Every flight connects people and places. It brings families and friends together, opens doors for businesses and helps communities across British Columbia stay connected to the world. While air travel plays an important role in our lives and economy, there is a growing need to reduce its environmental impact.

At Vancouver International Airport (YVR), we are committed to doing our part to address climate change and, with our long history of innovation and sustainability, we are taking action to become Net Zero by 2030 in our operations and support the aviation industry’s climate goals. This includes reducing carbon emissions from flights.

That's why YVR has partnered with the Province of BC to help increase the use of lower carbon fuels or Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in support of this goal.

What is SAF?

SAF is a lower-carbon alternative to fossil jet fuel that can be used safely in today’s aircraft.

SAF is made with renewable and waste-derived materials, such as municipal solid waste, waste fats and oils, and agricultural and forestry residue. Using these materials rather than traditional fossil sources of jet fuel reduces emissions because it uses carbon that's already circulating in today's biosphere, while fossil fuel releases carbon that has been locked underground for millions of years.

Depending on the feedstock and production pathway, SAF can lower lifecycle emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to fossil jet fuel.

Helping make lower-carbon flying possible

Since 2024, YVR has played a leadership role with the B.C. Low Carbon Jet Fuel Incentive Program (BC-LCJFIP), which supports airlines using SAF in British Columbia. Through financial incentives, the program helps offset the additional cost of SAF relative to conventional jet fuel, supporting its adoption and helping reduce emissions from air travel in BC. During the first two years of the program, more than 28.1 million litres of SAF were purchased, resulting in the avoidance of approximately 61,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions.

On November 4, 2026, the BC Low Carbon Jet Fuel Incentive Program (BC-LCJFIP) launched it’s next application period, providing eligible airlines with an opportunity to apply for incentives on low-carbon jet fuel purchases delivered and uplifted in British Columbia during the 2027 calendar year. Backed by B.C.’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, the program helps offset the higher cost of low-carbon jet fuel through financial incentives, with approximately $13 million expected to be available for the 2027 program year.

Program information and application materials are available here.

Initiatives like this help address one of aviation’s biggest climate challenges: making lower-carbon alternatives more accessible and accelerating their adoption. While programs like the BC-LCJFIP help airlines increase their use of SAF, travellers also have an opportunity to support the transition.

Everyone has a role to play

Earlier this year, YVR launched its own online calculator that allows travellers to estimate their flight’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contribute to the use of SAF.

Contributions made through the calculator are applied to environmental attributes associated with SAF and help enable airlines’ further use of SAF, through a partnership with Chooose and Air Canada. Contributing to these attributes supports SAF growth and helps scale its use globally by bolstering activity across the supply chain.

Every flight is a chance to make a difference. Calculate the GHG emissions for your next flight and contribute to supporting SAF: Support sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on your next flight.