Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.14
Liaison Emily Zabanah
Submission Date March 30, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Seneca Polytechnic
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 4.00 Paula Echeveste
Sustainability Specialist - Engagement & Outreach
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
No

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
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A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
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Sustainability Plan 

Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the climate action plan:
---

The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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Other Published Plans 

Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
-Seneca College Strategic plan 2017-2022 Landscape Revitalization Strategy -5 Year Waste Plan -Conservation and Demand Management plan -Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act(AODA) - Multi-year plans

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Research 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Campus Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Public Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Air & Climate 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Buildings 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Energy 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Seneca is committed to establishing itself as a leader in achieving substantial and measurable environmental and financial improvement through the Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) plan. The CDM plan aligns with Seneca’s core values of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through co-operation and engagement with Seneca’s staff, faculty and students, it is intended that a holistic and all-encompassing approach to environmental stewardship will be achieved. Through this plan, Seneca will aim to reduce its energy consumption and manage its demand for energy. This plan will optimize energy efficiency through energy saving retrofits and upgrades. In addition, it is Seneca’s goal to reduce energy operating costs by examining existing building systems and by recommissioning systems where improvements can be made. This 2019 CDM plan is an update and progression from the CDM Plan developed and published in 2014. Seneca will use the 2015-16 fiscal year (April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016) as the baseline year, as this is the earliest year for which there is comprehensive energy and water data. All goals and targets will be measured against this baseline year’s energy and water consumption, and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The sustainable measurable objectives of the plan are the following: *Reduce total energy use by 20% by 2030 - Conservation and demand management plan *Reduce total GHG emissions by 20% by 2030 - Conservation and demand management plan *Reduce total energy use by 50% by 2050 - Conservation and Demand Management plan *Reduce total GHG emissions by 50% by 2050 - Conservation and Demand Management plan Conservation and Demand Management plan PDF: https://www.senecacollege.ca/about/reports/a-reports/Seneca-College-2019-CDM-Plan.pdf

Food & Dining 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Grounds 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Seneca Landscape Revitalization plan includes native plants specified in the report that will be replacing annuals and turf areas on-site, in addition to the replacement of mown turf areas with naturalized meadow and tallgrass areas. Also, there is a pollinator garden that supports the biodiversity of the area.

Purchasing 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Transportation 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Waste 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In anticipation of the Waste-Free Ontario Act, Seneca College worked to create a five-year waste management plan that is aligned with the timelines of the Waste-Free Ontario Act. As part of the Waste Free Ontario Act, 2016 the provincial government will implement a new set of diversion targets that align with the objectives and goals set out in the strategy. The following are the new diversion targets for Ontario: - 30% diversion target by 2020 - 50% diversion target by 2030 - 80% diversion target by 2050 Seneca College has an extensive waste and recycling program which includes collection organics, textile and hazardous materials. In doing so, Seneca College has already achieved Waste Free Ontario Act, 2016 goal of a 30% diversion rate by 2020 and will look to implement programs that help them achieve the next goal of a diversion rate of 50% by the year 2030.

Water 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Reduce water use by 30% by 2030 and 50% by 2050. - Conservation and Demand Management plan. Conservation and Demand Management plan PDF: https://www.senecacollege.ca/about/reports/a-reports/Seneca-College-2019-CDM-Plan.pdf

Diversity & Affordability 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
• Reflect in all we do a deep respect for the diversity of our community and each other Deliverables: • Embrace an inclusive and supportive environment for students and employees • Ensure our curriculum, academic community, and language reflect diverse ways of thinking and being The above information was taken directly from Seneca College's Strategic Plan (2017-2022). The link to the plan is: https://www.senecacollege.ca/about/reports/strategic-plan/strategic-plan-2017-2022.pdf https://inside.senecacollege.ca/hr/diversity/DiversityDocuments/Diversity_Magazine.pdf

Investment & Finance 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Wellbeing & Work 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
As part of Seneca's strategic plan 2017-2022 the following objectives were identified: • Provide opportunities to develop professionalism, confidence, and character Deliverables: • Broaden the opportunities for students to develop leadership skills • Expand international and volunteer learning opportunities for students and employees Please find the link of the plan below: https://www.senecacollege.ca/about/reports/strategic-plan/strategic-plan-2017-2022.pdf

Other Impact Areas 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act(AODA) - Multi-year plans: https://inside.senecacollege.ca/hr/aoda/AODA_Multi_Year_Plan.pdf, The measurements can be identified by the successful milestones highlighting Seneca's completion status noted in the Multi-Year Plans for each of the yearly legislative/regulations requirements. For other milestones, please see the links below about the AODA infographics, highlighting Seneca's successes over the last 4 years. https://inside.senecacollege.ca/hr/aoda/Senecascommitment.html https://inside.senecacollege.ca/hr/diversity/index.html

Optional Fields 

Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
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The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
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Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment ---
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://www.senecacollege.ca/about/reports/additional.html

Additional documentation to support the submission:
2018-Seneca_College_Five_Year_Waste_Management_Plan_-_2018-1.pdf

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://www.senecacollege.ca/about/reports/strategic-plan/https://inside.senecacollege.ca/hr/diversity/index.html https://www.senecacollege.ca/about/reports/a-reports/Seneca-College-2019-CDM-Plan.pdf

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.