MacEwan University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

(1) Office of Sustainability: Membership and leadership on -Edmonton Energy Transition Advisory Committee (City of Edmonton committee) which advocates for energy efficiency across the city. The Committee encourages and promotes the strategy, provides advice to Council regarding the implementation of the strategy and assists Council in developing performance measures. The committee provides a wide and strategic perspective on issues relating to energy transition in Edmonton. (2) Corporate Climate Leaders of Edmonton - Founding Member (Facilities, Office of Sustainability) As a founding member, MacEwan shares our commitments to reduce our GHG emissions along with how we plan to accomplish this. As founding membres, MacEwan shares with other network members our best practices and lessons learned to help others implement their programs. This information is also shared with the City of Edmonton to help shape the direction forward for building programs and rebates. The program will network members to share best practices and lessons. (3) City of Edmonton Environmental Advisory Committee - Institutional Member The Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) coordinates strategic advice and expertise from the community and the City of Edmonton for the continuing development of The Way We Green (the City's environmental strategic plan) and environmental issues as they arise. (4) Student Associations and Unions in the city advocate every 4 years for a UPASS agreement for post-secondary students to have a reduced cost for public transit.

(1) Office of Sustainability - Membership and leadership on -Alberta Capital Airshed Board Member (Edmonton regional committee - this also applies to the national level) Alberta Capital Airshed Board sets direction and policies for the Alberta Capital Airshed which consists of Edmonton and a number of surrounding municipalities. The Airshed also works with other Alberta airsheds to set overall direction. In addition to policy and direction, the airshed runs a number of monitoring stations and provides data to the public and member organizations, provies education and outreach, and industry consultation. The Board works closely with the province on air quality matters. (2) The MacEwan Student Association (SAMU) advocated to the provincial government on the issue of deferred maintenance for post-secondary institutions. SAMU members generally do so by one-on-one meetings with MLAs, civil service members, and other politicians, as well as run advocacy campaigns to engage students in the process. Deffered maintenance assists campus' maintain safe working functions, and increase various sustainable building initiatives. At MacEwan there are several buildings currently with LEED certification and additional funding can help maintain performance. An increase in funding it affects student safety and well-being, the bill would be ~ $2 billion provincially.

Membership and participation in: (1) Canadian Alliance of College and University Sustainability Professionals (CUSP) The Canadian Alliance of College and University Sustainability Professionals (CUSP) serves as connection to provincial and regional campus sustainability networks. The objectives of CUSP are to: a) Facilitate peer to peer communication: Provide a platform for best practice and information exchange b) Offer face-to-face networking opportunities c) Support information flow through local, national and provincial governments and organizations (including champion policy and programs that impact members to government and key organizations such as AASHE) d) Build on existing sustainability alliances

Membership and participation in: (1) Sustainable Event Alliance (SEA) The Sustainable Event Alliance is an international organization that exists through collaboration and contribution by interested individuals working in the field of events and sustainability. SEA advocates for the advancement and implemnetation of sustainable events including ISO 20121 which administered by the International Organization for Standardization, meaning it has international implications on events. (2) Sending delegation to and participating in COP conferences United Nations Climate Change Conferences are yearly conferences held in the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As a university delegation, MacEwan met with other post-secondary universities from across the world to discuss challenges and opportunities that are integrated into a larger recommendation paper that was provided to elected officials.

SAMU contact: Emma Patterson | Vice President Operations and Finance (she/her) Students’ Association of MacEwan University Rm: 7-292, 10700-104 Avenue NW | Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4S2 T: 780-497-5479 | F: 780-497-5470 | samu.ca