| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.20 |
| Liaison | Jonathan Rausseo |
| Submission Date | March 29, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Ottawa
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 4.00 |
Jonathan
Rausseo campus sustainability manager physical resources service |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Published Plans That Address Sustainability
Strategic Plan
Yes
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The Destination 2020 Strategic Plan for the University of Ottawa specifically addresses sustainability by highlighting the University of Ottawa's performance in reference to the campus' sustainable operations as well as noting it within our 'Core Values' statement.
Additionally, the Sustainable Development Committee has created a set of long-term sustainability goals for the campus to help guide faculties and services in setting their own sustainability goals.
A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Sustainability Plan
Yes
A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Climate Action Plan
Yes
A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Other Published Plans
Yes
A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
Campus Master Plan (released 2015) also addresses sustainability within its objectives;
https://www.uottawa.ca/facilities/sites/www.uottawa.ca.facilities/files/uottawa_master_plan_-_section_1.pdf; https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/policies-and-regulations
Policies 36, 98, 72, 91 also addresses various aspects of sustainability including guidelines for ethical purchasing and green procurement.
https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/policy-72-environmental-policy
https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/policy-91-environmental-management
https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/policy-36-supply-goods-and-services
https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/policy-98-ethical-purchasing
uOttawa Design and construction Guidelines
http://www.uottawa.ca/facilities/sites/www.uottawa.ca.facilities/files/design_construction_guidelines.pdf
Measurable Sustainability Objectives
Curriculum
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Although never listed as an objective by the University of Ottawa, the Institute of the Environment set out the goal of creating a sustainability masters program and eventually working up to the creation of a PhD program.
Research
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
• Obtain two new federal grants through the NSERC CREATE program
• Obtain a new partnership grant from SSHRC
• Publish a special issue of Research Perspectives on green technologies
• Launch three new Canada Research Chairs for sustainability initiatives
• Obtain three new Fulbright Chairs for visiting professors, all dedicated to research on the environment and climate change
• Fund a series of on-campus lectures to discuss different matters relating to the environment
https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/sites/www.uottawa.ca.administration-and-governance/files/06b_-_global_warming_en_final.pdf
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
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Community engagement
Target - Increase the number of Green Reps on campus and build a network of volunteers consisting of students and other members of the university community.
This goal is outlined in the Annual Report on Sustainable Development
Air & Climate
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Target: Reduce direct GHG emissions (scope 1) 34% over 2005 levels by 2020. In other words, GHG emissions must be 13,000 tonnes or less by 2020 (outlined in the Annual Sustainable Development Report).
Buildings
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Target: Increase the amount of functional indoor and outdoor green space and meet the LEED Silver standard for major construction projects (outlined in the Annual Sustainable Development Report and the uOttawa Design and Construction guidelines).
Energy
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Target: Reduce energy consumption by 2% annually despite the growth experienced on campus (outlined in the Annual Sustainable Development Report)
Food & Dining
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Target: Increase access to local and organic food, fair trade products, and vegetarian and vegan foods on campus. We measure this objective using surveys of food outlets on campus (with a distinction that local food is produced within 500 km of campus). This goal is outlined in the Annual Sustainable Development Report.
Grounds
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Our Sustainable Development report outlines a directive to include more green space on campus but it does not give a specific target at to how much.
Purchasing
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Although there is a green procurement policy, there are no measurable objectives
Transportation
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Target: Maintain the University’s 85% modal split, the percentage of people who use alternative forms of transportation versus those who take a single occupancy vehicle. In other words, only 15% of the university community would take a single occupancy vehicle to campus. This goal is outlined in the Annual Report of Sustainable Development.
Waste
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Target: Become a zero-waste-to-landfill campus by 2020. To achieve this goal, we must attain a waste diversion rate of 75% by 2017, find new options for recycling and buy fewer non recyclable and non-reusable products. This goal is outlined in the Annual Report.
Water
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Target: Reduce water consumption by 2% per year and encourage the use of grey water instead of drinking water. This goal is outlined in the Annual Report on Sustainable Development
Diversity & Affordability
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Investment & Finance
Yes
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
1. Establish measurements and a proper starting point to track shifts in long-term portfolio.
2. Identify and consider new indices and/or benchmarks that incorporate responsible investment principles, in addition to or in place of any of the above.
3. Carry out annual measurements of progress and report results to the University community.
4. Incorporate these results into the consideration and updating of investment portfolio policies.
5. Consider these results, to the extent it is appropriate, in evaluating fund managers’ performance.
6. Create a Clean Innovations Fund over time with an initial $10 million, using funds from the existing portfolios and donations received for this purpose.
https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/sites/www.uottawa.ca.administration-and-governance/files/06b_-_global_warming_en_final.pdf
Wellbeing & Work
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Other Impact Areas
No
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Optional Fields
Yes
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Following constructive debate on campus, the Board of Governors tasked the
University with developing a holistic approach to combatting global warming
and climate change. In 2016, we vowed to reduce the carbon footprint of our
investments, in accordance with Canada’s national climate commitment.
We took on this challenge by making clear commitments that combined
continued teaching and research excellence, efficient management of our
operations and facilities, and responsible long-term portfolio investment.
To follow up on these commitments, I am pleased to present the first annual
Report to the Board of Governors on Sustainability. This progress report
outlines key, concrete actions taken by our University during the last year.
I am proud of our accomplishments to date, but there is still much to do.
Our work to make sustainability a central priority in all aspects of what we
do will take time to show progress. However, we look forward to reducing
our environmental footprint and empowering our employees and students
to continue to engage in sustainable practices.
The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
The University of Ottawa’s Sustainable Development Committee has adopted the 4C model of campus sustainability developed by Plymouth University to address different aspects of sustainability specific to a campus context. The 4Cs are as follows:
Campus – Everything involving procurement for and the physical aspects of the campus Community – Social relationships between community members on and off campus Culture – Values and policies forming the cultural foundation and influencing the governance of the campus
Curriculum – Academic pursuits, courses and research activities that constitute the body of knowledge on campus
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | No |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | Yes |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
The University of Ottawa is a signatory to the Talloires Declaration, as well as the Halifax Declaration and the ‘Ontario Universities Committed to a Greener World’ pledge.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
All information regarding the completion of these goals is collected by the Office of Campus Sustainability and is reported on annual in a report that is published online.
Additional targets that have been set out by the President's office are available in the report on Combating climate change.
https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/sites/www.uottawa.ca.administration-and-governance/files/06b_-_global_warming_en_final.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.