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Campus Sustainability Office

The University Front LawnA Collective Commitment

Even before the formal creation of Sustainability policies or a Sustainability Office, the University of Winnipeg had长期的可持续性倡议在campus:

  • Physical Planthave initiated and supported projects to reduce the environmental impact of daily operations and maximize energy efficiency, especially with the support of Manitoba Hydro.
  • Facultyhave supported and encouraged students in classroom learning and real-work applications regarding environmental and social issues.
  • Studentshave been organizing around campus sustainability issues. Students and Physical Plant staff have also cooperated to promote and run recycling on campus.

In 2003, student, faculty, and staff commitment to environmental and social responsibility at the University began to formally converge.

Below we present a TIMELINE of sustainability highlights at UWinnipeg

Timeline

2019:

  • UWinnipeg installs540 solar panelson the Axworthy Health & Recplex rooftop. This installation will produce half of our goal to have 5% of energy on campus be derived from unconventional renewables by 2025. This project, combined with the Biomass heating system allows us to meet our target.
  • UWinnipeg applied for its second time to STARS and recieved aSilver rating, scoring 59.78 points.

2018:

  • UWinnipeg Facilities team through a partnership with Manitoba Hydro, installed aBiomass heating systemto help us acheive half of our goal to have 5% of energy on campus be sourced from unconventional renewables by 2025.
  • Outgoing Senior Advisor for Research and Sustainability,Alana Lajoie-O’Malley receives a Green Building Champion awardfrom the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Green Building Council for her commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of UWinnipeg’s expanding campus.

2017:

  • The University compiled and adopted anew Institutional Sustainability Strategythat includes 19 specific, measurable targets organized under 4 overarching goals for the next five years. Facilities receives a clear mandate to continue reducing emissions and to follow LEED Operations and Maintenance practices for day-to-day management of buildings. The strategy also commits the University to new social sustainability targets tied to purchasing, indigenization and student leadership development The document and appendices are housedhere.
  • The University and Diversity Food Services areranked first in North America by the Sierra Clubon their Cool Schools list in thesustainable campus foodcategory.

2016:

  • TheAxworthy Health & RecPlex opens and receives a LEED Golddesignation for building efficiency and design.
  • The Campus Sustainability Office conducted research to paint a picture of sustainability progress to date andchart a pathfor the coming years. Results, summarized in theEnvironmental Scan and Engagement Summaryand appendices, are housedhere.

2015:

  • NewStrategic Directions and Integrated Academic and ResearchPlanre-affirmedUWinnipeg’s commitmentto sustainability.
  • Through ongoing efforts,greenhouse gas emissions in 2015 decreased by approximately 24% over 2014. Thusbetween 1990 and 2015,the University reduced absolute emissions to32% below what they were in 1990 even though 38% of the space we now occupy did not exist then.
  • The University substantially exceeded its target of reducing absolute emissions by 10% below 1990 levels. Energy intensity of campus operations decreased by just over 14% over the previous year, and by 27% compared to 2009.
  • The Universitysurpassed its energy efficiency targetof achieving an 18% reduction in energy use per square meter of owned space compared to 2009 energy intensity by FY2016.
  • Launch of thePrairie Climate Centre,providingup-to-date and high quality decision making data and tools related to climate mitigation and adaptation.Great-West Life and the Province of Manitoba invested $650K in the Centre, a joint venture between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and UWinnipeg.
  • The University earned aSTARS Silver Ratingin the most widely recognized framework for publicly reporting information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in four overall areas: 1) operations 2) academics, 3) engagement and 4) planning, administration. UWinnipeg is also featured in the AASHE’s 2015Sustainable Campus Index publication, which highlights the University as thesecond highest performer in the category of dining and food.

2014:

  • The University achievesClimate Registered™ statusby measuring its carbon footprint according to The Climate Registry’s best-in-class program, having it third party verified, and reporting the data on the registry’s website.

2013:

  • UWinnipegeliminated the use of cosmetic pesticides and herbicidesin campus landscaping practices.
  • UWinnipeg awarded aManitoba Excellence in Sustainable Development awardin recognition of itsclimate change action.
  • UWinnipeg and the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association accepted the 2013Polar Bears International’s Paws of Approval Awardthat celebrates organizations, groups, and individuals who are making a serious contribution to reducing greenhouse gases.
  • The University completes a $2 million energy retrofit to main campus buildings to reduce emissions from these buildings and to offset the ongoing GHG impact of an expanded campus.

2012:

  • Substantial greenhouse gas emission reductionsdue to the combined impact of its hybrid heating system and energy retrofit: a16% reduction in GHG emissions and an 18.6% reduction in natural gas consumptionover the fiscal year.
(While GHG emissions were not 6% below 1990 emission levels by the end of the fiscal year, the final stages of the energy retrofit efforts on campus were completed over the summer of 2013. With the efforts complete, the University’s mechanical systems are operating to a projected utility consumption that islower than that required to meet the Kyoto target).
  • The University entered into apartnership withPeg City Car Co-op. Carsharing is a practical and affordable alternative to car ownership. It helps meet transportation needs off campus while allowing for commuting by transit, cycling, and walking.
  • The University switched to100% recycled content for letterhead and business cards, while also exceeding its goal to transition all office paper to 50% post-consumer content.Office paper is now FSC certified, 100% post-consumer fibre, EcoLogo certified, processed chlorine free, and manufactured using biogas energy. Alongside reductions in chemical use and waste, this represents a saving of approximately 1389 trees per year. Leslie Uhryniuk, Coordinator of Printing & Parking Services was awarded the 2013Campus Sustainability Recognition Awardfor her efforts.

  • The University jointly awards Len Cann (Director, Physical Plant) and Kyle Macdonald (Controls Technician) the Campus Sustainability Recognition Award for working collaboratively to design and organize a campus-wide energy retrofit plan.

  • The University adopts the2012 Sustainability Strategyfor the next five years, availablehere.

2011:

  • The University of Winnipegopens the Richardson College for the Environment and Science, the new home of Biology, Chemistry and the Institute of Urban Studies, among other departments. The building receive aLEED Gold designationfor energy efficient and environmentally responsible design.
  • UWSA BikeLabopenedthrough a partnership with the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) and The University of Winnipeg. Thecycling education and advocacyfacility provides the space, tools and support for students, faculty, staff, and community members to keep their bicycles running smoothly all year long. The lab was designed by Peter Sampson Architectural Studio (PSA Studio), who was awarded anational design awardfor this building in 2014.

  • The Universitycompletes its water retrofitwhich began in 2009. The University successfully reduces water use on campus one million gallons of water a year. Doug Foster, University plumber, is awarded the Campus Sustainability Recognition Award in recognition of this achievement.

  • Complete installation of ahybrid heating system. When electricity demand is low, the system enables the University to uselower-emitting hydroelectricityas a heat source, rather than higher-emitting natural gas.

2009-2011:

  • Water retrofitof university washrooms to reduce water consumption, yielded an estimatedsaving in excess of one million gallons of water a year. Doug Foster, University plumber, is awarded theCampus Sustainability Recognition Award.

2010:

  • The UWSA Daycare and McFeetors Hall, the University’s newest buildings,receive LEED Silvercertificationfor energy efficient and environmentally responsible design.

2009:

  • Diversity Food Services大学的开放、合资Winnipeg's Community Renewal Corporation (UWCRC) & SEED Winnipeg, opens as the University’s new campus-wide food provider. Diversity’s commitment to local, sustainable food, and its social enterprise model which offers meaningful employment and ownership opportunities for the community, makes it unique among other North American campus food services.
  • UWinnipeg became the first university in Canada toban the sale of bottled water, an initiative led by students that spread quickly across the country.

2008:

  • One of Manitoba’s first institutionalPOST-consumer compostingprograms launched.
  • Introduction ofdouble-sided printingas default on all copiers and printers on campus.
  • Introduction ofphosphate-free detergents and environmentally friendly cleaning productsfor use on campus; signed on to theLake Friendly Initiativein 2010.

2007:

  • PRE-Consumer compostingprogram launched.

2006:

  • Campus Sustainability Policypassed and the University published its firstannual sustainability performance report. (Availablehere)

2005:

  • Independent from SUNSET’s work, afaculty member presented a concept paperto the University President. The paper provided a well-articulated campus sustainability framework, while the existing student, faculty, and staff engagement provided the necessary support base to carry out the proposed project.
  • After ongoing advocacy by students and faculty, President Lloyd Axworthycommited the universityto reducing is greenhouse gas emissions to 6% below 1990 emissions to reflect Canada’s commitments under theKyoto protocoland commited the university to establishing a formal Sustainability Management System (SMS).
  • Atask force的学生,教职员工成立begin work on meeting these commitments.
  • A detailed description of these early beginnings can be foundhere.

2003 to 2009:

  • Students from group EcoMAFIA (now EcoPIA) and from an environmental sustainability class formedstudent group SUNSET, supported by members of Faculty. In 2004 the group presented to UWinnipeg’s Administrationa comprehensive proposalfor a campus sustainability audit. The proposal was well received, and the students were connected to Physical Plant and Facilities Management staff to further discuss the concept.
  • From 2007 to 2009: SUNSET also ran a Student Led-Initiative in Experiential Learning topromote student research on sustainability issuesaffecting our campus and larger community. The project was funded by the Winnipeg Foundation and Eco Canada.
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