Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 49.48
Liaison William Clancey
Submission Date Jan. 3, 2023

STARS v2.2

Durham College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 4.00 Michelle Darling
Senior Project Manager, Project Portfolio Planning and Sustainability
Facilities & Ancillary
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives 

Academics

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Goals for EaRTH District

The EaRTH District will focus on developing clean, green sustainable technology sectors through research, academic programming and support for commercialization of advanced technologies.

EXPERT NETWORK
Bring together a network of leading industry, academic, government and community partners to explore synergies that will strengthen and enhance the Canadian green and sustainable technology sector.

ACTIVE COLLABORATION
Leverage expertise and resources to grow education, training, partnerships and innovation opportunities in the eastern GTA through active collaboration.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Provide increased opportunities for economic development that will foster the creation of highly skilled jobs in the environmental and related sectors.

KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION
Enable the transfer of knowledge by fostering advanced sustainable technologies and techniques that can be applied in a variety of sectors.

Below are a few examples of the expertise we bring to EaRTH
W. Galen Weston Centre for Food
The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture
Energy Innovation Centre

Engagement 

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
---

Operations

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The purpose of this Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) Plan from Durham College (“DC”) is to outline specific actions and measures that will promote good stewardship of our environment and community resources in the years to come. This ECDM outlines how the college will reduce overall energy consumption, operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. This ECDM Plan is written in accordance with sections 4, 5, and 6 of the recently
amended Electricity Act, 1998, O. Reg. 507/18.

Today, utility and energy related costs are a significant part of overall operating costs. In 2018:
• Energy Use Index (EUI) was 47 ekWh/sq.ft
• Energy-related emissions equaled 4,015 tCO2e
To obtain full value from energy management activities, DC will take a strategic approach to fully integrate energy management into its business decision-making, policies and operating procedures. This active management of energy-related costs and risks will provide a significant economic return and will support
other key organizational objectives. With this prominent focus on energy management, DC can expect to achieve the following targets by 2024:
• 11 % reduction in electricity consumption
• 28 % reduction in natural gas consumption
• 947 tCO2e reduction of carbon equivalent emissions

This report is intended to build upon Durham College’s sustainability platform, Living Green, and act as our Energy Conservation and Demand Management Report submission, meeting regulatory requirements. This report highlights our current energy consumption patterns, provides targets for energy reduction and identifies key areas of focus to drive energy savings. Durham College is committed to meeting the targets identified within this ECDM and we will continue to be proactive with energy conservation.

Administration

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?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
https://durhamcollege.ca/strategic-plan

Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

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?:
Major theme

Optional Fields

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?:
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
“When it comes to sustainability, it is our duty as an educational institution to foster stewardship of the resources and land we live on,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “In 2009, we made a commitment to incorporating sustainability into all aspects of the college. We want to lead by example, demonstrating environmental responsibility for our students so they can run the organizations of tomorrow with conservation in mind.”

The institution’s definition of sustainability:
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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 Yes
SDG Accord Yes
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment No
The Talloires Declaration (TD) No
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:
https://durhamcollege.ca/media-room/media/durham-college-signs-dimensions-charter-with-honourable-kirsty-duncan-minister-of-science-and-sport-on-july-10

Durham College is a signatory of the Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability through the Association of Canadian Community Colleges

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:
https://durhamcollege.ca/media-room/media/durham-college-signs-dimensions-charter-with-honourable-kirsty-duncan-minister-of-science-and-sport-on-july-10

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.