Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 73.99
Liaison Mary-Lee Townsend
Submission Date Oct. 20, 2021

STARS v2.2

Western University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete N/A Mary-Lee Townsend
Sustainability & Compliance Manager
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Western's GHG Reduction Plan

A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:

Western has a number of programs, initiatives, and infrastructure that aim to reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy usage on campus. We have committed to ambitiously reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 45% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels, and to achieve net-zero emissions for campus operations by 2050. As part of Western's GHG reduction plans, an energy loop is being implemented on campus. The chilled water network is being upgraded so it can operate year-round and allow for the sharing of excess energy between buildings. New buildings and retrofit projects are being designed to integrate with the energy loop, and are resulting in ~60-80% reduction in GHGs.


Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Air & Climate
Buildings
Energy

Website URL where more information about the accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
PA2 - Sustainability Planning

A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
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Name of a second highlighted sustainability program/initiative/accomplishment:
Sustainability Related Course and Research Inventory

A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:

In our new strategic plan, Towards Western at 150, sustainability is explicitly named as an imperative for the university. In an effort to understand the depth and breath of the University's impact on students' understanding of sustainability, The Office of Institutional Planning & Budgeting undertook a thorough review of all Western's courses, research and theses. The result of this review, is a comprehensive inventory of all courses, research and theses at Western that are sustainability related, and how they contribute to the UN SDGs.

This significant piece of work is an important part of measuring our impact through student learning, understanding where we need to improve and making solid plans for meaningful change in Academics and Research at Western.


Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Curriculum
Research
Coordination & Planning

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):
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A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
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Name of a third highlighted program/initiative/accomplishment:
Western Sustainability Leaders Program

A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:

The Western Sustainability Leaders Program (WSLP) is a way for students to engage with sustainability throughout the year with a network of like-minded students from across campus interested in sustainability. Each month features a different theme with educational and experiential opportunities to get involved!

The WSLP engages guest speakers from across campus and the broader community, providing opportunities for students to network with professionals and peers involved with a wide range of sustainability initiatives on campus and in the community. This program also supports students in earning the WWF-Canada Living Planet Leader certification by offering sustainable living tips, volunteering, and student leadership positions.


Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Campus Engagement
Public Engagement
Coordination & Planning

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):
EN1 - Student Educators Program

A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.