Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

In 2007 NAIT completed a re-branding process which allowed for the realignment of its guiding principles and key directions through a strategic visioning process. It was determined through this process that NAIT needed to make a bigger commitment to sustainable practices.
Environmental initiatives have been formally a part of the NAIT culture since the evolution of ecoNAIT (originally the NASA environmental committee) in 2005 and the Respect NAITure committee in 2006. EcoNAIT, founded by Conrad Nobert, is a staff grass roots committee dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and championing new initiatives. The respect NAITure committee’s focus has been to inform staff and students of the new Clean Air Policy as well as to promote litter free spaces and a professional atmosphere. Increased awareness for the environment has resulted from the work of both committees.
To help coordinate programs aimed at transforming the Institute into a showcase of sustainability NAIT hired its first Sustainability Officer. In order to achieve such goals a diverse task force was needed to develop a sustainability strategy. The mandate of the sustainability task force is to bring into focus the efforts of various departments, groups and committees on campus. As a result, the task force is composed of representatives from ecoNAIT, Food Services, Health and Safety, NAITSA, School of Resources and Environmental Management, Campus Sport and Wellness Operations, Capital Projects, Materials Management, Maintenance and Operations, Custodial Services, Corporate Communications, Energy Management, AUPE and NASA.

The Sustainability Strategy was designed around the three pillars of sustainability; Social Equity, Ecological Responsibility and Economic Health. Each of the sections contains a working definition, as well as the related project summaries and any future initiatives. Future initiatives are generated from looking at best practices, researching what other post-secondary schools are doing and talking with NAIT faculty and staff.

Social Equity
Engage our staff, students and community in improving health and safety while becoming a leader in sustainability.

Ecological Integrity
Respecting and limiting our impact on our natural world and its processes.

Economic Viability
Optimize our infrastructure while enhancing our capital asset base and maintaining economic viability.

SOCIAL

 Affiliation with other environmental groups
 Bike Racks
 Capstone Research Projects
 COOP - Applied & Experiential Learning
 Corporate Challenge
 Donating surplus food to charities.
 ecoNAIT
 Ergonomic Assessments
 Fair Trade practices
 Feel Great @ NAIT
 Fitness Centre
 Fitness Classes
 Food Services is 70% trans fat free
 Green chemistry practices
 Improve Transit Access to NAIT
 Inservice
 Internal communication methods
 Member of Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence
 Organic Coffee
 Ride Share Initiative
 Safe Walk program
 Sustainability Officer
 Wellness Wednesday

ECOLOGICAL
 Asbestos Management
 Biodegradable cutlery/plates
 Bottle Recycling
 Elimination of single use condiments
 Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper
 Fuel Cell research
 Green Cleaning
 Low-foaming hand soaps
 Oxy-Biodegradable bags at bookstore
 Paper & Cardboard Recycling
 Pool water recycling
 Recycling cooking oil

ECONOMIC
 Central Plant Upgrade
 Computer Shut-off program
 CRT/LCD Monitors
 Lighting retrofits
 Optimizing building automation systems
 Preventative maintenance
 Productive donor relationships
 Server Virtualization
 Sustainable Building Design
 Upgrading building envelope system
 Waste Reduction Plan
 Water Conservation

Annual review of the plan by Task Force members