How Edmonton International Airport is becoming a “sustainability engine” for Canada

In this episode, we speak with Marion N Chivot-Legris, Director of ESG & Sustainability Strategy at Edmonton International Airport (YEG), who shares how the Canadian airport is leveraging its unique position to drive sustainability innovation across the region.

Chivot-Legris discusses:

1. YEG’s transformation into a “sustainability engine” for the entire region, building an integrated ecosystem that brings together clean energy companies, logistics, agri-food technologies, and education beyond traditional aviation operations.
2. The airport’s leadership in hydrogen development, leveraging Alberta’s position as Canada’s hydrogen corridor, with nearly 60% of the country’s hydrogen produced in the Edmonton metropolitan region, to test use cases from ground vehicles to potential future aircraft.
3. YEG’s methodical approach to hydrogen adoption, starting with Toyota Mirai cars and Hyundai NEXO vehicles before progressing to heavier equipment like hydrogen-diesel dual fuel runway sweepers as stepping stones toward future hydrogen infrastructure.
4. The airport’s complementary approach to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen, and how it’s working with local partners to advance SAF production.
5. Key lessons for airports beginning their sustainability journey: progress doesn’t require perfection, partnerships are essential, and transparency in sharing both successes and challenges builds trust and encourages collaboration.

Chivot-Legris also offers unique insights into how airports can serve as innovation hubs that extend their impact far beyond traditional aviation operations.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Swedavia’s Lena Wennberg & Therese Forsström, who share the airport operator’s ambitious plans for a fossil-free future. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Environmental, social & governance (ESG) - YEG Corporate

Hydrogen-powered runway sweepers at Edmonton Airport - International Airport Review 

Drone Delivery Canada expands collaborative drone operations at Edmonton International Airport - DRONELIFE

Edmonton Airport and ZeroAvia partner to develop hydrogen infrastructure in Canada - FTE