Kwantlen Polytechnic University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

A sample of academic objectives from KPU's Sustainability Framework (SF) include but are not limited to:

SF4 Academics Domain:

SF.4.1.1 Sustainability Literacy

• Create opportunities to develop sustainability literacy and assess progress throughout the implementation of the plan


• Expand sustainability content in student and employee orientation and/or training


• Highlight existing and planned sustainability initiatives, and direct individuals to opportunities to participate


• Highlight sustainability initiatives, practices, and expectations in ongoing employee and student training

SF.4.2.1 Applied Learning on Campus

• Utilize KPU’s infrastructure and operations as living laboratories for applied student learning and innovation around sustainability

SF.4.2.3 Sustainability Grant

• Explore the opportunity to establish a fund to support sustainability-focused academic initiatives that align with the four domains of the Sustainability Framework 

Sustainability Framework Plan: https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/KPU%20Sustainability%20Plan.pdf  Sustainability is also included within KPU's Research Plan. Specifically, "Sustainable Futures" is one of four major sectors of KPU's Applied Research and Knowledge Development. See the following link for KPU's Research Plan: https://www.kpu.ca/research/research-plan 

A sample of engagement objectives from KPU's Sustainability Framework (SF) include but are not limited to:

SF3 Governance Domain

SF.3.1.1 Campus Sustainability Implementation

• Establish a Sustainability Framework Steering Committee responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Sustainability Framework as well as contribute to reporting annually to the university community and stakeholders


• Ensure multi-stakeholder engagement with appropriate committees during implementation


• Continue working with the Environmental Sustainability Committee to gain ongoing feedback and advice on the implementation of the Sustainability Framework

SF.3.4.1 Internal Communication

• Produce outreach materials that foster sustainability literacy and celebrate sustainability achievement, e.g. Deliver facility signage, walking tour, or map to highlighting on-campus sustainability features

SF.3.4.2 External Communication

• Elevate awareness and profile of the university’s sustainability innovations and success stories.


• Report annually on sustainability performance and implementation of the Sustainability Framework

SF6 Operations Domain

SF.6.1.5 Training and Communication

• Support learning opportunities for zero-waste initiatives on campus (e.g. orientation, training and evaluation programs)


• Develop enhanced graphics and signage to reflect waste reduction initiatives 

A sample of operations objectives from KPU's Sustainability Framework (SF) include but are not limited to:

SF5 Physical Campus

SF.5.1.1 Zero Emissions Commitment

• All new campus buildings and facilities to operate using net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings will have the option to fulfill this requirement by achieving one of three pathways outlined by the Canadian Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Standard.


• All new buildings and facilities will be required to offset operational emissions using green power products, to ensure they do not add to campus GHG emissions.

SF.5.3.1 Water Metering

• Install water meters in all buildings and irrigation zones to establish a water consumption baseline and monitoring system. Review progress against water use baseline annually.

SF.6 Operations

SF.6.1.1 Waste Diversion and Reduction Tracking 

• Track and annually report on per capita waste generation (diversion and disposal) by campus and establish incremental targets for improvement


• Ensure that waste diversion and reduction strategies are integrated in KPU’s procurement policy, including guidelines for evaluation of waste generated by product and capital asset packaging and end-of-disposal 


• Explore opportunities to track, reduce, and offset Scope 3 emissions associated with waste generated through campus operations (e.g. solid waste and/or wastewater disposal/treatment in facilities owned or operated by third parties)

SF.6.1.3 Eliminate Single-Use Plastics or other Single-Use Items

• Explore a dish-share program, and accompanying food safety plan, that offers reusable dishware, cups, and cutlery for campus events in a food safe manner KPU also has a carbon neutral commitment by, and preferably before, 2050 - as part of being a signatory of the Global Universities and Colleges Climate Letter in 2019. 

A sample of administration objectives from KPU's Sustainability Framework include but are not limited to:

SF3 Governance Domain

SF.3.2.1 President’s Diversity and Equity Committee (PDEC) and Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC)

• Ensure the Sustainability Framework’s implementation aligns with PDEC and IAC goals and priorities SF.3.2.2 Diversity, Equity, and Truth and Reconciliation


• Evaluate campus sustainability projects through an equity lens


• Align sustainability projects, publications, and events with the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and the articles established by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

SF.3.3.1 Utility Special Purpose Fund

• Establish a baseline for financial savings associated with building efficiency measures and direct savings to a Utilities Special Purpose Fund for reinvestment into campus sustainability initiatives 

Sustainability means conducting all activities in such a way that fosters environmental health, social justice, and economic responsibility. KPU recognizes that human society and its economy are wholly encompassed by and inherently dependent on a healthy environment and the ways we care for the Earth. 

For all life forms to flourish, now and in perpetuity, it is paramount that Indigenous worldviews are integrated into sustainability practice. Indigenous peoples – the original stewards of the land – offer invaluable insights and perspectives rooted in generations of co-existence and reciprocity with nature.

KPU is committed to a holistic, forward-looking and ethical approach to navigating the complexity, interrelatedness, and intersectionality of sustainability challenges. We acknowledge that sustainability is an ongoing, collective responsibility that requires collaborative action and accountability for the impact of all our activities. Together, we will listen, learn, and act as stewards of the land and our communities.

1) KPU signed the Global Universities and Colleges Climate Letter in 2019, committing to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Each signatory is responsible for establishing the criteria to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (see for integrated Climate Commitment).

2) As a post-secondary institution of British Columbia (BC), KPU is mandated under B.C.’s Carbon Neutral Government Regulation to annually report and offset all operational greenhouse gas emissions. This Regulation mandates the following stepped targets:

• By 2012 - 6% below 2007 levels

• By 2016 - 18% below 2007 levels

• By 2020 - 33% below 2007 levels 

• By 2030 - 40% below 2007 levels

• By 2040 - 60% below 2007 levels

• By 2050 - 80% below 2007 levels

3) KPU has committed to the "50-30 Challenge" which is a Government of Canada initiative that calls on private and public sector organizations of all sizes to improve diversity and inclusion in senior management and boards. Joining in 2021, KPU has now committed to having a board and/or senior management group with a gender parity of 50% women and/or non-binary people as well as significant representation - at least 30% of members from other equity-denied groups such as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals.

4) KPU has formally committed to responding to the Calls to Action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. There are 94 Calls to Action, some of which directly call in educational institutes to advance reconciliation. The purpose of the Calls to Action is to address the ongoing impact of residential schools on survivors, their families, and their communities. It also provides a path forward for governments and Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to jointly work on reconciliation.

5) KPU has committed to Universities Canada Inclusive Excellence Principles which involves a commitment to seven principles. This involves commitment to attracting and retaining students, staff, faculty, and leaders from a variety of backgrounds and to be active champions of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

6) KPU is a signatory of the Scarborough Charter which represents KPU's commitment to take tangible and meaningful action to address anti-Black racism and promote Black inclusion in Canadian higher education.

7) KPU is also a signatory of the Dimensions Charter which involves a commitment to heightening research excellence, innovation and creativity across all disciplines through increased equity, diversity and inclusion.

8) KPU signed the SDG Accord in 2022 which commits KPU to inspire, celebrate and advance the critical role education has in delivering the SDGs. KPU is also committed to annually report on its efforts towards advancing the SDGs. In addition, KPU is collaborating with other universities and at conferences to share our learnings.

9) In 2017, KPU signed the Talloires Declaration from the Association of University Leaders for Sustainable Future. Created in 1990, the Talloires Declaration commits its signatories to a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at colleges and universities.

10) KPU has signed Colleges and Institutes Canada's (CICAN) Indigenous Education Protocol which provides a vision of how colleges and institutes can strive to improve their practices and better serve Indigenous peoples.

KPU listed as signatory of the SDG Accord: https://www.sdgaccord.org/

Sustainability commitments related to equity, diversity, and inclusion: https://www.kpu.ca/edi