| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.02 |
| Liaison | Rochelle Owen |
| Submission Date | July 21, 2021 |
Dalhousie University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Dalhousie’s Research and Innovation agenda is framed around the Sustainable Development Goals. Annual reports highlight progress made: https://www.dal.ca/research/ResearchIntheNews/AnnualReport2020.html
Page 27 identifies key performance indicators including Increased awareness among academic staff of the relevance/ applicability of the SDGs to their research agenda with a target of 512 funding applications submitted in ROMEO identified at least one SDG as relevant to the research (39.5% of all applications submitted, 2019-20).
A goal of the University Sustainability Plan is that "Sustainability is reflected as a core concentration in the University curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate level." This is measured in each Sustainability Progress Report. STARS also provides a way to assess progress in the number of sustainability course offers and proportion of students who study with sustainable learning outcomes.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The College of Sustainability has community engagement has a core pillar of action represented in planning and reporting. https://www.dal.ca/faculty/sustainability/community-engagement.html
One of the goals of the Sustainable and Healthy Food Framework is to "Build capacity and raise awareness." Actions to reach this goals include support student-run groups and encourage communications, and host educational events focusing on healthy, sustainable and affordable recipes.
Dalhousie’s community engagement report highlights broad community engagement efforts including ones highlighting sustainability initiatives. https://www.dal.ca/about-dal/dal-and-the-community/dal-neighbours.html
We report in the annual and sustainability progress report number of sessions, audiences reached and related outcomes.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Operational Sustainability Plan identifies 11 indicators and three phases of targets with the last phase in 2017-2020. (energy, waste, transportation, policy and guidelines, curriculum, …) Increased diversion of solid, liquid, and
hazardous waste (70%); Reduce electricity, fuel, and water consumption per person (20%), reduce GHGs (50%); Increase renewable energy supply on campus (15%-20%); Increased travel(commuting and business) through sustainable modes (15%); Enhanced urban biodiversity (goals in plan); Sustainable food offerings (tracked like STARS tracking); Major planning, policy, reporting, and products
incorporate sustainability concepts and criteria (number of); Sustainability is reflected as a core concentration in the University curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate level (tracked through courses), Positive student and
employee experience (survey).
The report identifies progress made towards these targets (some were met and some need more action).
The University Climate Change Operation Plan version 2 lists GHG targets and carbon neutrality goals.
A number of other plans, food, waste, transportation have targets and measures - https://www.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/resources/Reports_and_Policies.html
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Dalhousie has signed onto the Climate Change Plan and Charter regarding investments. Details charter plans and other ESG and climate investments: https://www.dal.ca/dept/treasury-investments/endowments.html
Targets from the charter include: 1. Adopt a responsible investing framework to guide investment decision-making, in line with recognized standards such as the UN-supported Principles of Responsible Investment (UN-PRI). Such a framework should:
a. Incorporate ESG factors into investment management practices
b. Encourage active engagement with companies to foster disclosure of ESG (including climate) related risks, and adoption of operational practices that reduce carbon emissions and foster ESG-positive behaviour more broadly
2. Regularly measure the carbon intensity of our investment portfolios, and set meaningful targets for their reduction over time
3. Evaluate progress towards these objectives on a regular basis, and share the results of such assessments publicly
4. Ensure that the performance evaluation of our investment managers takes into account their success in achieving such objectives, alongside the other criteria for assessing their performance.
Dalhousie has a Diversity and Inclusion strategy and regular reporting of progress - https://www.dal.ca/cultureofrespect/diversity-strategy.html; https://cdn.dal.ca/content/dam/dalhousie/pdf/cultureofrespect/5.2-Diversity-Inclusiveness-Report-2019-Web.pdf
The most recent progress report highlights progress against a number of objectives such as: build on an engage departments in EDI training; produce a scholarly panel and report on the links of the Institution to slavery (report produced) Lord Dalhousie report, start new programs, rename roads, adapt curricula, etc.
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Dalhousie University Sustainability Statement
Universities have a tremendous opportunity to influence civic life. Our operations, curriculum, and research affect communities near and far. The process of sustainability is a pathway of continual improvement where actions protect and enhance human and natural resources needed by future generations to enjoy a quality of life equal to or greater than our own. Dalhousie University commits to making a positive contribution to society and to strengthening our organization by adhering to the following principles of sustainability.
Integration: Supporting approaches and decisions that improve the campus and local community ecology, economy, and health.
Planning: Making decisions that consider present and future generations.
Efficiency: Providing quality education and services while progressively reducing negative environmental, health, and economic impacts.
Continual Improvement: Supporting ongoing measurement and improvement of sustainability efforts.
Innovation: Creating a climate of creativity, inquiry, research, and collaboration that foster new ideas and approaches to sustainability questions and challenges.
Dalhousie will incorporate these sustainability principles into management systems such as curriculum review and creation, the review of new construction and renovation of facilities; budget planning; and reporting.
This statement provides the context and commitment for the Dalhousie University Sustainability Policy and Plan.
See here for the signed statement: https://www.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/resources/publications_policies.html
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
The process of sustainability is a pathway of continual improvement where actions protect and enhance human and natural resources needed by future generations to enjoy a quality of life equal to or greater than our own.
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | --- |
| SDG Accord | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | No |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | Yes |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
In Canada, Second Nature's Carbon Commitment does not apply. We have signed the Canadian equivalent, the University and College Presidents' Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada and the Climate Change Charter.
We are signatories to the Halifax Declaration and the UNEP International Declaration on Cleaner Production.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.