Faculty, staff and students at 91亚色 will be part of a progressive next step to build a more sustainable future for all as outlined by a new aspirational target for the University to reach net-zero emissions a decade earlier than originally planned.
Shared on Nov. 23 by President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton during a special event, the announcement highlights one of the most ambitious net-zero targets in the Canadian post-secondary sector.
With bold ambition to become one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada, 91亚色 is accelerating its timeline and aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 鈥 a decade sooner than its previous commitment.鈥
The new aspirational target is part of 91亚色鈥檚 renewed sustainability policy, which includes a commitment to develop and implement a process to track, measure, evaluate and report progress toward net-zero emissions.
To support this ambition, 91亚色 recently released its own comprehensive emissions data and ecological footprint assessment from the 鈥 a group of 91亚色鈥檚 scholars, students, researchers and collaborating organizations working together to advance the measurement of ecological footprint and biocapacity 鈥 making it the first Canadian institution to do so. This new report provides 91亚色 with information to identify opportunities to reduce its emissions and develop innovative solutions to support a more sustainable future.
鈥淭he United Nations has stated that climate change is the defining issue of our time, and the world is at a pivotal moment requiring urgent action,鈥 says Lenton. 鈥淎s an internationally recognized leader in sustainability, 91亚色 has a responsibility to act on global challenges facing humanity, including ecological degradation, climate change and growing socio-economic inequality. The bold actions we are taking on our campuses, and in our local and global communities, will build on the strong foundation we have created and move us closer to our goal of becoming one of the most sustainable institutions in Canada.鈥
91亚色鈥檚 ability to strive toward ambitious sustainable change is due in part to the expertise, experience and forward thinking that takes place across its campuses. The University draws on the strengths of its diverse community to approach sustainability through a holistic lens of collaboration, innovation and knowledge mobilization.
As a core value of the institution, 91亚色 has embedded sustainability in every aspect of University life 鈥 teaching, learning, research and operations. An example of this expertise in action can be found in projects supported through 91亚色鈥檚 Sustainability Innovation Fund, including a green career fair, a campus composting centre and more.
To further advance the cutting-edge sustainability research done by the 91亚色 community, the University announced a new $1-million allocation to the fund, which is for projects that advance the University鈥檚 goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as contribute to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action).
The power of community engagement to create positive change has long been part of 91亚色鈥檚 legacy in becoming a more sustainable university. Activities conducted through the Office of Sustainability and sustainability-focused student groups empower 91亚色 students, faculty and staff to take part in events such as campus clean-ups, film screenings, learning opportunities and tree plantings. In the past two years, community members have planted over 1,000 trees on the Glendon and Keele campuses.
The 91亚色 community is also being engaged though consultations that are currently underway to update the Sustainability Strategy, with an aim of completion for spring 2024. 91亚色 students, faculty, instructors and staff can provide their input in person or virtually to shape 91亚色鈥檚 sustainability priorities and help create a more sustainable future.
鈥淪ustainability starts with our own actions,鈥 said Mike Layton, 91亚色鈥檚 chief sustainability officer. 鈥淲e also have a responsibility to our communities 鈥 locally and beyond 鈥 to ensure we are all contributing to advancing environmental and social sustainability across society. This new announcement demonstrates 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to sustainability and I look forward to the many ways we will work with the community in service of our new target.鈥
The Nov. 23 event included a panel about how 91亚色 is using data and innovative solutions to shrink its footprint. Insights were also shared by 91亚色 experts, including: Eric Miller, director of the Ecological Footprint Initiative in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change; Pirathayini Srikantha, associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Reliable and Secure Power Grid Systems at 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering; Usman Khan, associate professor at Lassonde; and Steve Prince, director, Energy Management, Facilities Services at 91亚色.
The announcement also featured a short play with students from 91亚色鈥檚 School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design; a short video about sustainable travel by Burkard Eberlein, former provostial Fellow and professor from 91亚色鈥檚 Schulich School of Business; and samples of Las Nubes coffee for attendees to take home. After nearly a decade, Las Nubes coffee has made its way back to Canada and is available in select locations on 91亚色鈥檚 campuses, including Central Square and Glendon March茅. Part of the proceeds from the coffee sales will go toward supporting 91亚色鈥檚 Las Nubes Research and Conservation Program.
For more on the event, visit News@91亚色.