| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.26 |
| Liaison | Karen Oberer |
| Submission Date | Jan. 17, 2024 |
McGill University
IN-5: Carbon Mitigation Project Development
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
Karen
Oberer Sustainability Officer McGill Office of Sustainability |
During the previous three years, the institution has::
| Yes or No | |
| Developed a peer reviewed carbon offsets project that follows an existing carbon reduction protocol | No |
| Developed an innovative carbon offsets project that follows a new or modified project protocol | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s carbon mitigation projects:
Bayano-McGill Reforestation Project
The Bayano-McGill Reforestation Project is McGill’s flagship carbon offsetting research project led by the McGill Office of Sustainability, the traditional Indigenous authorities of the Congreso General Emberá de Alto Bayano, and the Indigenous women’s NGO, Asociación de Mujeres Artesanas de Ipetí-Emberá (AMARIE) in Panama.
The project is a collaboration with Dr. Catherine Potvin, Professor in the Department of Biology and Canada Research Chair in Climate Change Mitigation and Tropical Forests (Tier 1).
With Instructor Julie Major, undergraduate interns of the Panama Field Study Semester (PFSS) will monitor tree growth in the field. Dr Potvin will support research by graduate students in Biology and Geography.
Since 2020, there have been:
- 44,500 trees planted
- 1,939 tonnes of CO₂e offset
- 44 local families participating
- 8 McGill students conducting research
(as of August 2023)
Vision
McGill University seeks to take accountability for its institutional air travel emissions via its own dedicated, research-driven offsetting project, thus contributing to its long-term target of carbon neutrality by 2040.
Mission
By sequestering carbon, the project will help reduce McGill's institutional carbon footprint while strengthening its environmental and social sciences research and providing benefits to collaborating local communities.
About
McGill University purchases seedlings and provides the finances needed to plant and maintain the reforested area in Panama over the long term.
A Governance Committee ensures a fair-trade price is maintained, local communities are consulted, and the project respects all agreed-upon principles. It includes:
- Three individuals representing the communities: the nokos (local chiefs) from Ipetí- and Piriatí-Emberá, and the cacique general (regional chief)
- One individual representing AMARIE
- One individual representing the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI)
The governance committee meets yearly to review, among other subjects:
- The price of a tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e)
- Previous year's plantations
- Community participation and feedback
- Updated scientific research relevant to the project
Source: https://www.mcgill.ca/sustainability/commitments/carbon-neutrality/mcgill-bayano-reforestation
Documentation of the institution’s carbon mitigation project:
Website URL where documentation of the carbon mitigation project 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.