University of Manitoba
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The UM Sustainability Strategy 2019-2023 is a public document with measurable sustainability objectives. The goals within the strategy are divided into 3 categories:
1. Infrastructure and Operations
2. Campus Life
3. Research and Academics
Within the Research and Academics section, a determined goal is “to increase interdisciplinary, collaborative and experiential learning opportunities that address global sustainability issues such as social justice, health and well-being, sustainable food systems, agriculture and water management systems”.

To do so, the following commitments are listed:
• Promote sustainability-related courses across all disciplines, including capstone courses, and seek to develop a specialized sustainability-themed capstone course; and
• Create an institutional pathway for researchers and students to obtain approval where necessary and support for demonstrative research and beta testing sustainability concepts on campus.

The Campus Life section of the UM Sustainability Strategy 2019-2023 includes the goal to “enhance a sense of a sustainable campus community that supports University-wide pride, belonging, exploration, lifelong learning and sustainability ethic”. To achieve this goal, the following commitments are listed:
• Build community connections through sustainable activities and events that promote engagement and action throughout the year; and
• Increase the number of events, workshops and learning opportunities focused on sustainable food systems.

The Operations and Management section of the UM Sustainability Strategy 2019-2023 includes goals to “increase the protection, management and development of natural spaces on campus to support biodiversity and ecosystem health” and “reduce greenhouse gas emissions”. To achieve these goals, the following commitments are listed:
• Develop green building and construction guidelines that support long-term sustainable campus development;
• Create water management guidelines that evaluate potable water demand including process water systems and methods for reduction and reuse; and
• Continue annual reporting on Sustainability Strategy metrics.

The Operations and Management section of the UM Sustainability Strategy 2019-2023 involves administration, diversity, equity and investment. To achieve these goals, the following commitments are listed :
• Continue to engage in discussions with Indigenous students, faculty and staff around the promotion of Indigenous languages and the inclusion of Indigenous voices at the University;
• Continue collaboration between administrative units and Indigenous leaders, faculty, staff and Elders to implement the Indigenous Planning and Design Principles, documenting lessons learned from each project while continuing to refine the process; and
• Improve transparency and responsibility in university investments and governance.

The University of Manitoba’s Mission, Vision and Values:
MISSION
To create, preserve, communicate and apply knowledge, contributing to the cultural, social and economic well-being of the people of Manitoba, Canada and the world.
VISION
To take our place among leading universities through a commitment to transformative research and scholarship and innovative teaching and learning, uniquely strengthened by Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
VALUES
To achieve our vision, we require a commitment to a common set of ideals.
The University of Manitoba values:
Academic Freedom
Accountability
Collegiality
Equity and Inclusion
Excellence
Innovation
Integrity
Respect
Sustainability

“Sustainability is internationally understood to mean ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs’ and today is framed by 17 global sustainable development goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030, as agreed to by all countries of the United Nations, for addressing people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. […] UM considers and actively pursues the ecological, social and economic aspects of sustainability through its programs and operations. Our vision for sustainability recognizes the interdependence of these three elements, understanding the connections and effects of these relationships. Our holistic approach to the University’s sustainability journey is highlighted through teaching and learning, research and community engagement that support regeneration, participation and effective use of resources. We aim to foster growth and provide opportunities in a way that our present actions will ensure future generations can achieve levels of wellbeing that are at least as great as those achieved now.”

-UM signed the Global University and Colleges Climate Letter, which acknowledges that our planet and climate are in a state of emergency.

-The letter, organized by The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education, known as EAUC; the US-based higher education climate action organization Second Nature; and UN Environment’s Youth and Education Alliance, marks the first time further and higher education establishments have come together to make a collective commitment to address the climate emergency.

- In 1991, sixteen Canadian universities endorsed the Halifax Declaration (HD) at the Conference on University Action for Sustainable Development in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This Declaration recognized the leadership role universities could play in a world at serious risk of irreparable environmental damage and asserted that universities must re-think and reconstruct their environmental policies and practices in order to contribute to environmental sustainability on local, national, and international levels

- Investing to Address Climate Change: A Charter for Canadian Universities is a coalition of Canadian universities that have agreed to adopt a set of guiding principles that will govern the investment policies of university assets as they relate to climate change.

-In 2015, the University of Manitoba became the first post-secondary institution to sign the Lake Friendly Accord. The goal of the accord is to foster collaboration amongst a wide range of stakeholders to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen loading in Lake Winnipeg. UM has taken steps in support of surface water quality and lake health, including but not limited to: establishing CREATE H2O, an NSERC supported research collaboration for water and sanitation security in First Nations, establishing the Watershed Systems Research Program, and research collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainable Development on nutrient capture to support lake health.

https://news.umanitoba.ca/improving-lake-winnipeg/