| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.36 |
| Liaison | Patricia Huynh |
| Submission Date | Dec. 10, 2024 |
University of Waterloo
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Mat
Thijssen Sustainability Manager Sustainability Office |
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Waterloo's Environmental Sustainability Strategy articulates the goals and objectives the campus will be working towards to advance environmental sustainability. It was developed between 2016-2017 by the President's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability through a collaborative process.
This strategy has three interdependent goals:
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Be a leader in sustainability education and research
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Operate the campus sustainably
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Embed sustainability practices into campus culture
These are meant to be broad and inspirational, and are further broken into 27 more specific objectives and five foundational actions to build momentum.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Optional Fields
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Second Point of Distinction
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Shift: Neutral is Waterloo’s first institutional climate action plan. It lays out short, medium, and long-term carbon reductions for the university, and outlines a roadmap of actions to mobilize the campus through these goals. Its implementation will have transformative impacts for campus energy consumption, building designs, and campus quality, and be a key part of our sustainability efforts. Uwaterloo.ca/sustainability/shiftneutral
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Energy
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Third Point of Distinction
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
The University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment is the oldest of its kind in Canada, and one of the largest and most programmatically diverse in Canada. The Faculty offers numerous programs of study deeply rooted in sustainability, including for example: Geography, the Environment, Resources, and Sustainability program across graduate and undergraduate levels, and the Environment and Business programs. It has pioneered innovative programming such as Canada’s first Master of Climate Change, and it collaborates with other faculties at Waterloo on interdisciplinary education programs such as the Collaborative Water Program. The faculty has also created and supported multiple interdisciplinary research institutes, including the Waterloo Institution for Sustainable Energy, Climate Institute, and Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics. Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment has catalyzed major partnerships across Canada, including with civil society and the private sector. For example, it has spawned critical research partnerships within the insurance industry to better prepare Canadian homeowners, businesses, and communities for climate change adaptation.
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Research
Public Engagement
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
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.