University of Calgary

Sustainability

October 9, 2009

U of C earns top marks for sustainability

The University of Calgary continues to lead the country in environmental sustainability, earning top grades in an annual green ranking of universities and colleges across North America. Results of the 2010 College Sustainability Report Card released this week placed U of C first in Canada with four other universities with an overall grade of B+. University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, McGill University and York University also earned the same grade. Last year’s report card saw U of C and the University of Victoria achieve the only  B+ grades among Canadian schools.

“Recognition in the report card reflects the hard work faculty, staff and students across campus are putting into accelerating change and the good progress being made,” said Joanne Perdue, director of the U of C’s Office of Sustainability. “This is what our campus-wide Sustainability ON program is all about.”

Key highlights from the U of C’s sustainability report card include:

  • The U of C passed a comprehensive sustainability policy, stepping up its institutional commitments to the Talloires Declaration and University and College Presidents’ Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada.
  • Phase II of the university’s energy performance initiative, alongside the cogeneration plant currently under construction will further reduce carbon emissions in addition to reductions resulting from the Phase I retrofits in 2002.
  • Only Ocean Wise-certified seafood is purchased and nearly all coffee is fair trade. The composting program has been expanded to include an in-vessel composter with compost bins located in all dining halls.
  • The campus fleet includes hybrids and numerous programs are offered that reward or facilitate eco-friendly commuting.
  • The campus garden and bike-lending programs are run by students and both paid and volunteer student sustainability positions are available.

“We must remember that the evaluation criteria of this program are not a complete assessment of progress on university campuses. A major missing criterion for example is the evaluation of teaching, research and service in support of sustainable development,” Perdue said. “Also missing are social equity, procurement, water, and health and wellness, all areas in which U of C is also making good progress.”

To view U of C’s complete report card www.greenreportcard.org/report-card-2010/schools/university-of-calgary

To read more about the U of C’s Office of Sustainability www.ucalgary.ca/sustainability.