McGill University
EN-6: Assessing Sustainability Culture

The McGill Office of Sustainability (MOOS) developed the sustainability cultural assessment for the following reasons:

1. Assess the perception of staff, students and faculty towards McGill’s sustainability efforts
2. Evaluate the level of knowledge of the various sustainability initiatives in place on campus
3. Assess the interest of our community about upcoming initiatives
4. Estimate the GHG emissions from commuting
5. Fulfill the STARS requirements for AC-6

McGill Office of Sustainability Survey – Fall 2021

1. Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements
(strongly agree; agree; neither agree nor disagree; disagree; strongly disagree; I do not know):
• McGill is an institution that values sustainability
• It is important to me that McGill has a strong commitment to sustainability
• My actions have an impact on the University's sustainability performance and accomplishments

2. Prior to receiving this survey, were you aware that McGill has an Office of Sustainability?
• Yes
• No

3. To what extent are you aware of the following McGill sustainability plans, initiatives, and programs? (I am aware and understand specific details; I am aware, but do not know specific details; I am not aware).
• McGill’s Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025
• McGill’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2040
• McGill’s commitment to be a Zero-Waste Campus by 2035
• The Sustainability Projects Fund (SPF), valued at $1M$ / year.

4. What about these?
(I am aware and understand specific details; I am aware, but do not know specific details; I am not aware).
• The New Vic: Sustainability focus of the Royal Victoria Project
• McGill Sustainability Systems Initiative (MSSI)
• Indigenous Awareness Weeks
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Plan 2020-2025
• The ban on the sale of single-use plastic water bottles on campus (Refill McGill)

5. And finally, what about these? (I am aware and understand specific details; I am aware, but do not know specific details; I am not aware).
• Decarbonization approach to McGill’s Investment Pool
• Sustainable procurement initiatives
• McGill Farmers’ Market
• Sustainable Certification programs (e.g., workplace certification, event certification)
• Fairtrade Campus designation

6. Have you been involved with any of the following engagement opportunities on campus:
(Yes; No, but I would be interested; No, and I am not interested; It does not apply to my situation)
• An event, workshop or training session on sustainability
o IF YES. Provide an example (optional) [Open text - Optional]
• A sustainability project or initiative on campus
o IF YES. Provide an example (optional) [Open text - Optional]
• A sustainability committee, club or group
o IF YES. Provide an example (optional) [Open text - Optional]
• Other (specify)

For staff only:
7. Did you incorporate a sustainability-related objective in your performance dialogue?
• Yes
• No (I did not incorporate a sustainability-related objective in my performance dialogue)
• No (I did not complete a performance dialogue)
• I do not know

Background context: the Analysis, Planning and Budget office oversees and conducts surveys "of institutional relevance that target broad segments of the McGill community, including prospective and enrolled students, alumni, staff, and faculty. To survey saturation and maximize the use of University resources, APB is responsible to coordinate survey efforts."
Source: https://www.mcgill.ca/apb/surveys

The Analysis, Planning, and Budget office circulated to the 2021 Sustainability Survey by email to 16,950 McGill staff, faculty members, and students between October 20 and November 22, 2021. The following groups were excluded from the survey population:
• students on a leave of absence or visiting from or on an exchange at another university;
• postdoctoral students, medical residents, and fellows;
• staff on a leave leave of absence;
• faculty classified Geographic Full-Time Hospital; post-retirement, emerita/us, or on a leave of absence

Invited participants: 16,950
Total respondents: 3,381
Response rate: 20%
The margin of error was 2% with a 95% confidence interval

The 2021 Sustainability Survey was the third survey in three years to assess shifting attitudes towards sustainability at McGill. Results are used to inform communications and programming for the Office of Sustainability.

Key results:
Values
- A majority of respondents agree with the statement that "McGill is an institution that values sustainability." Since 2019, the percentage of those in agreement has increased by 14%.

- Almost all respondents (92%) agree or strongly agree that it is important that McGill has a strong commitment to sustainability.

- 74% of respondents agreed with the statement that "My actions have an impact on the University’s sustainability performance and accomplishments."

Community Engagement
- Approximately three quarters of students, staff, and faculty surveyed were interested in participating in sustainability projects, initiatives, events, workshops and trainings. Staff and Faculty were more likely to be currently or previously participating.

- Half of the respondents were aware of McGill's Key Performance Indicators such as the Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025, the University's commitment to carbon neutrality, and the University's commitment to become a zero-waste campus by 2035

- Over a quarter of staff who completed performance dialogues included sustainability-related objectives in them.

- During the Fall 2021 term most respondents travelled by active transport (walking, biking, etc.) or by public transit. Car ridership remained higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Over 570 respondents took the opportunity to share comments, thoughts, and suggestions at the end of the survey. While many comments centred on survey question-related topics such as transportation and offsets, other frequently mentioned themes include waste, investments, energy, and leadership.