Economic and Social Sustainability at Airports (2019)

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3 Setting the Social Stage Steve Nakana, Port of Portland, Oregon, presenter Panelists Gregory Jones, United Airlines Marion Town, Vancouver Airport Authority Angie Fyfe, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Steve Nakana opened the event with a presentation that identified the timeline for the port's social equity program, which began in 2013. By 2015, the program approach was identified, and by 2016, it was integrated into the port's activities. In 2017, the port formed its Administrative and Equity Division with a social equity program policy. The port’s policy defines social equity as “fair and equitable inclusion, and creating the conditions in which all people can participate, prosper, and achieve equitable outcomes with respect to the Port’s employment, business, and services.” This policy intentionally uses a racial equity lens. In 2018, implicit bias trainings were being conducted, and equity plans and metrics were being defined. Nakana provided a demonstration of equity (fairness) versus equality (sameness). He provided a chart showing the port's approach, including jobs, wellness, business ethics, security, diversity, community outreach, and labor relations. He noted that the program is based on a foundation that drives strategy, vision, leadership, and structure. This program has internal and external components. Nakana introduced the panel. Each panel member made a short statement before accepting questions. Gregory Jones reported that United Airlines has a subsection of its social equity program that is designed to ensure social equity competency in leadership. He reminded the audience that the social program needs to be clear about the problem that it is designed to solve. Marion Town noted that Vancouver International Airport (YVR) was one of the first programs that addressed sustainability from a four-legged stool perspective, incorporating environmental, economic, and social aspects, as well as governance. She noted that YVR benchmarks its performance each year. Angie Fyfe noted that the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), an international organization of local governments committed to sustainable development, developed a sustainability tracking, assessment, and a rating system( STAR) that includes health and social considerations. Carol Lurie, of VHB, asked the panel to identify its innovative programs. Town noted that YVR was addressing the “silver tsunami,” a metaphor used to describe the aging population, through programs to move people through the airport with greater ease and less stress. Nakana noted that Portland was looking at creating space that addressed inclusiveness and how people used space, such as bathrooms. Jones noted that United was looking at the social programs of its supply chain and had formed a diversity council.

4 An individual in the audience asked about what was driving the parties to address social programs. Fyfe noted that ICLEI had embraced the principles of environmental justice and was asking if the right people were being asked the right questions— all of which was a means to ensure meaningful involvement and the capacity to build community voice and power. A person in the audience asked about how to engage effectively with the community and stakeholders. Town noted that it was important to share real data and to use technology to aid in communication. Nakana noted that in outreach, it was important to ask what issue was being solved and particularly to consider the capacity of the stakeholders to participate (i.e., working hours and language), as well as to consider funding the external parties’ participation (to compensate for the value that they bring as community consultants). The panel was asked about strategic partnerships and outreach by an audience member. Fyfe noted that ICLEI used community focus group meetings. Town noted that YVR has an agreement with First Nations that incudes revenue sharing for use of First Nations lands. Jones noted that United relies heavily on partnerships, such as its accessibility committee, which is comprised of external parties that advise the company.