As part of recent operational actions underway to help 91亚色 meet its aspirational target of becoming a net-zero university by 2040, 91亚色 U has stopped running its fossil-fuelled co-generation units around the clock this summer.

No longer running the co-generation units 24-7 will lead to a more efficiency-based operation schedule that maintains service to the 91亚色 community while minimizing strain on the provincial energy grid. The change is expected to reduce emissions by 22,000 tonnes and account for 80 per cent of the University鈥檚 2030 emission reduction target.

Co-generation is the simultaneous production of two or more forms of energy from a single fuel source. In 91亚色鈥檚 case, natural gas has been used to produce both electricity and steam, which is then used for heating and cooling the campus. In traditional generation, excess heat generated through the process of producing electricity is expelled as waste into the atmosphere and waterways. The dual production of both electricity and recoverable heat made co-generation more efficient and cost-effective than other options previously available. 

As years have passed, the measure of sustainable practices has changed. Operating the co-generation units around the clock is no longer the most sustainable means to deliver services on campus, and it accounts for a significant portion of 91亚色's annual carbon dioxide emissions.

To reduce the continuous operation of the co-generation units, the University's Energy Management team created a plan to deliver heating and cooling to the campus by employing strategies that use data analysis to help determine the most effective, efficient and sustainable way to do so, while maximizing comfort and minimizing carbon emissions. While the co-generation units may still be used, it is expected that they will run only when necessary and for approximately five per cent of the year 鈥� a significant shift from around-the-clock operation.

In November 2023, President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton 91亚色鈥檚 goal of achieving net-zero emissions a decade earlier than originally planned. The aspiration is part of the University鈥檚 recently renewed Sustainability Policy, which includes a commitment to develop and implement a process to track, measure, evaluate and report progress toward net-zero emissions.

The adjustment to the co-generation units will get 91亚色 80 per cent of the way to its target of curbing emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 鈥� a near-term target on the journey to net zero.

鈥淚n the 1990s, 91亚色 was an early adopter in making operational improvements to reduce our emissions, including transitioning away from coal-generated electricity and using natural gas instead to help lower our emissions,鈥� says Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration. 鈥淭his significant step to decarbonize our central plant for heating and cooling highlights our continued leadership and innovation to support our net-zero target.鈥�

The co-generation shift is the first of many projects the Energy Management team expects to implement as part of its action plan to decarbonize the central plant and modernize energy management at 91亚色. Additional projects that better use data to inform operations are forthcoming.

The post 91亚色 takes significant step forward in journey to net zero appeared first on 91亚色.

The 2024 National Bank Open tennis tournament will take place at the Sobeys Stadium on 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus from Sunday, Aug. 4 to Monday, Aug. 12. While every effort is made to minimize the disruption of operations on the Keele Campus, the following parking and traffic modifications will be in effect.

Reserved parking for tennis pass holders:

• Founders Road West Lot
• Northwest Gate Lot (north/middle)
• Arboretum Lane Parking Garage
• Student Services Parking Garage
• Shoreham Drive Lot

Patrons and participants are required to have a virtual Tennis Parking Pass to access these lots/garages. All lots, with the exception of the Shoreham Drive Lot, will be occupied for this event from Sunday, Aug. 4 at 6 a.m. until Monday, Aug. 12. at 12 a.m. The Shoreham Drive Lot will be closed for this event from Friday, Aug. 2 at 6 a.m. until Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 6 a.m.

91亚色 U parking permit holders

Permit holders with the exception of Shoreham Lot permit holders, will not be displaced during this event. A predetermined quantity of parking spaces have been reserved for community members who must be on campus during this time. Shoreham Lot permit holders will be moved to Arboretum Lane Parking Garage from Friday, Aug. 2 until Tuesday, Aug. 13 inclusive.

91亚色 U visitor/short-term parking

Visitor and short-term parking will be available in the following places:

• Vanier Lot
• Founders Road East Visitor Lot ($10 flat rate)
• Northwest Gate South lot ($10 flat rate)
• Calumet Lot ($15 flat rate)
• 91亚色 Lanes Parking Garage
• Atkinson Lot
• Passy Crescent
• Assiniboine Road
• Fine Arts Road
• Physical Resources Building Lot South
• Thompson Road Lot West
• Thompson Road Lot East
• University Street
• Lumbers Visitors Lot
• Student Services Parking Garage

There will be no short-term parking in the following places:

• Arboretum Lane Parking Garage
• Northwest Gate Lot (north/middle)
• Shoreham Lot

Traffic restrictions on campus

The following road restrictions will be in place from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. from Sunday, Aug. 4 to Monday, Aug. 11 and from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12 inclusive:

• Shoreham Drive will be closed for the duration of the event.

For more information or if any special parking arrangements are required, contact Parking Services at parking@yorku.ca.

The post Parking and traffic modifications for National Bank Open tennis appeared first on 91亚色.

Tom Watt, director of Food Services at 91亚色, will join the Board of Governors for Fairtrade Canada, the Canadian arm of Fairtrade International, which is responsible for supporting, promoting and advocating for fair terms of trade for farmers and workers disadvantaged by global trade structures.

91亚色鈥檚 representation on the Fairtrade Canada board marks the latest achievement in the University鈥檚 progress to advance fair trade practices across its campuses. In May, the University announced its silver fair trade campus designation 鈥� a commemoration of years of dedicated collaboration between students, faculty and staff to provide more sustainable options across 91亚色's campuses. A year prior, 91亚色 U hosted Congress 2023, which was recognized as the biggest fair trade event in Canadian history.

Considering recent successes, 91亚色 is well poised to have a voice on the Fairtrade Canada board, to share insights and lessons learned from advancing fair trade initiatives at the third largest university in Canada.

鈥淚 believe a major reason for the confidence in my experience was the many successful fair trade initiatives we鈥檝e had here at 91亚色 over the past few years,鈥� says Watt. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see how my experience at 91亚色 will enhance Fairtrade Canada鈥檚 activities and how my experience on the board will benefit what we do at 91亚色.鈥�

Representation on the Fairtrade Canada board is expected to generate benefits for both parties. The board is responsible for governance and oversight of fair trade activities in Canada, including establishing the organization鈥檚 mission, vision and strategy, ensuring legal compliance and monitoring performance. The board also develops policies that align with fair trade principles, engages in advocacy through relationship building, identifies and mitigates risks, upholds ethical standards, and promotes sustainability and social justice.

91亚色鈥檚 history of advocacy and adherence to principles of sustainability and social justice will now be added to the organization's board, which includes leaders from fair-trade certified food and textile companies. The collaboration is expected to also support 91亚色 in advancing its own fair trade practices.

In addition to this new role on Fairtrade Canada鈥檚 board, Watt also serves as co-chair of 91亚色鈥檚 Fairtrade Steering Committee and on the Sustainability Taskforce.

鈥淭his is an excellent example of 91亚色 staff championing our values with community partners to maximize the benefit for all,鈥� says Kim McLean, assistant vice-president of Ancillary Services at 91亚色 U. 鈥淲e are proud to offer so many fair-trade certified products through Food Services and the YU Bookstore, and look forward to continuing to contribute to the advancement of Fairtrade Canada鈥檚 mission.鈥�

The post 91亚色 staff member elected to Fairtrade Canada board appeared first on 91亚色.

In circumstances of extreme weather 鈥� such as heat warnings in summer due to soaring temperatures 鈥� Facilities Services works hard to ensure the 91亚色 community can continue to comfortably learn, teach and work on our campuses, while balancing the University鈥檚 commitment to sustainability in its operations.

Unseasonably high temperatures generate unprecedented demand on the provincial energy grid, leading to more energy use, higher emissions, inflated costs and strain on the grid. As a result, 91亚色 U implemented a peak demand management program in the summer of 2023 鈥� an effort to uphold its commitment to support a sustainable energy system in Ontario. This program, which has been implemented at universities across the province, requires 91亚色 U to reduce its energy use in alignment with peak demand days to eliminate emissions, save costs and reduce strain on the grid.

Through participation in this program last summer, it is estimated that the University avoided 22,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and saved $3.8 million in energy costs by reducing its energy use by eight megawatts on peak days over the summer months. That is equivalent to taking 24,713 cars off the road or eliminating the consumption of over 34-million litres of gasoline.

鈥淕lobal warming has forced us to think differently about how we heat and cool our buildings,鈥� says Brad Parkes, assistant vice-president of Facilities Services. 鈥淚n Facilities Services, we鈥檙e constantly looking at the data to see how we can optimize our systems, work with the provincial grid instead of against it and contribute to sustainability and cost savings goals through our operations. The concept of the peak demand management program is simple, but it has real impact that will continue to grow.鈥�

To ensure comfort on 91亚色 U鈥檚 campuses during the program, Facilities Services cools buildings to a lower temperature overnight, with the goal of retaining the cooler air throughout the day when the temperatures are elevated. Those efforts can be extended if community members keep exterior doors, windows and blinds closed to keep the cold air in. For those with workspaces adjacent to a space that has air conditioning, such as a hallway, keeping doors ajar to promote circulation might be helpful. Turning off lights not in use, or using natural light, is another way to help with unnecessary heat generation.

Facilities Services also references the classroom booking information from the Office of the University Registrar to strategically match air conditioning to buildings with occupancy and reduce air conditioning in buildings without occupancy. Special attention has also been given to buildings that require consistent cooling due to equipment, technology and ongoing research.

Community members with concerns or questions about the temperature in their space should get in touch with the Work Control Centre by emailing facilities@yorku.ca or calling 416-736-2100 ext. 22401. Managers should also refer to the Hybrid Work Policy and Hybrid Work Procedure regarding discretion and flexibility to adjust hybrid work agreements as necessary.

The post 91亚色鈥檚 energy management program helps navigate聽hot weather聽sustainably appeared first on 91亚色.