| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.39 |
| Liaison | Stephanie MacPhee |
| Submission Date | Feb. 5, 2025 |
Dalhousie University
EN-11: Inter-Campus Collaboration
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Stephanie
MacPhee Executive Director Office of Sustainability |
Is the institution currently a member of a national or international higher education sustainability network?:
The name of the national or international sustainability network(s):
Canadian Alliance of College and University Sustainability Professionals (CUSP): is a network or provincial and regional networks of sustainability and facilities officers that work on campus sustainability efforts. The Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium (NECSC); a Canadian rep of this network that focuses on sustainability on campuses for the Northeastern US and Canada, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE): part of international organization that focuses on sustainability and higher education, and Quality Urban Systems of Tomorrow (QUEST) focuses on community energy planning and solutions. The University and college sector is involved as many campuses are like small communities and we learn from each other within the MUSH sector.
Does the institution actively participate in a regional, state/provincial, or local higher education sustainability network?:
The name of the regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s):
Atlantic Canada Universities and Colleges Sustainability Network (AUCSN): Sustainability and facilities officers meet twice a year to share programs, learn new ideas and connect with organizations and government. Atlantic Chapter of The Canada Green Building Council: The University and college sector is involved as many campuses have a green building agenda. Through this network we share ideas and practices among colleagues at conferences and events.
Has the institution presented at a higher education sustainability conference during the previous year?:
A list or brief description of the conference(s) and presentation(s):
My Green Lab Conference, Green Labs, May 26,2022
CAUBO, Climate Change and Renewal, June 8, 2022
NECSC, Geoexchange, August 4, 2022
NECSC, Sustainability Tours, August 5, 2022
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Canadian Higher Education Sustainability Partitioner Meetup, October 30, 2023
Association of Energy Engineers - Canada East, Strategic Transition to Electrification and Emissions Reduction (STEER), November 7, 2023
Sustainable Laboratory Canada Conference, Green Labs Panel, November 22, 2023
Sustainable Laboratory Canada Conference, Climate Resilience Panel, November 21, 2023
Atlantic Canadian Solar Summit, Dalhousie Solar Car, December 6, 2023
Has the institution submitted a case study during the previous year to an external higher education sustainability resource center or awards program?:
A list or brief description of the sustainability resource center or awards program and submission(s):
FVB submitted a case study to the International District Energy Association on the highly efficient implementation of steam to hot water district energy upgrade and conversion from a biomass boiler to o co—generation using a Biomass Thermal Oil heater to a 1 MW Organic Rankine Cycle Turbine with waste heat from the turbine used to heat the campus. About 75% of the electricity from the system covers the campus consumption. Biomass values statement and purchasing requirements limits feedstock to waste residue and selected harvest. 100% of current feed is sawmill residues. https://www.dal.ca/news/2022/07/26/biomass-energy-award-dalhousie-university.html In 2023 the same system was featured at ERAPPA conference - https://www.appa.org/events/erappa-2023-conference-vision/
Has the institution had employees or students serving on a board or committee of a sustainability network or conference during the previous three years?:
A list or brief description of the board or committee appointment(s):
The Executive Director of the Office of Sustainability is the Atlantic rep. for the Canadian University Sustainability Professional Network. The Sustainability Manager joined the AASHE Advisory Board. Many Dalhousie employees are Board or committee members on other sustainability related networks.
Does the institution have an ongoing mentoring relationship with another institution through which it assists the institution with its sustainability reporting and/or the development of its sustainability program?:
A brief description of the mentoring relationship and activities:
The Office of Sustainability is a member of the Atlantic Universities and Colleges Sustainability Network. Through this forum our Office provides on a regular basis, presentations, templates and materials for colleagues in other institutions. As an example in the last two years number of years including 2023-2024 we have are shared and provided support for leading sessions and discussions on renewable energy power purchase agreements, sharing best practices on Sustainability Office programs, sharing experiences on solar installations and geoexchange.
Has the institution had employees or students serving as peer reviewers of another institution’s sustainability data and/or STARS submission during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the peer review activities:
The Office of Sustainability has shared tracking templates with other universities and colleges, such as green house gas report calculations and tracking sheets.
Optional Fields
Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions have been exploring large scale renewable electricity options for several years. Together we formed a Collective to work on the Post-Secondary Aggregate Direct Power Purchase (ADPP) project. Collective members include:
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Acadia University
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Cape Breton University
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Dalhousie University
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Mount Saint Vincent University
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Nova Scotia College of Art and Design
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Nova Scotia Community College
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Saint Mary’s University
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University of Kings College
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Université Sainte-Anne
To date, with the support of the McConnell Foundation funding, the Collective is working with a consultant team with a plan to procure new renewable electricity in Nova Scotia.
Website URL where information about the institution’s inter-campus collaborations 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.