The Ontario Universities Sustainable Campus Commitment

We the undersigned, students, faculty and staff alike, are representing Ontarios post secondary institutions. We know that there is an ever growing problem with not only climate change but the environment as a whole. We are concerned about how much waste we produce, how much energy we use, our transportation options we choose and the natural resources we use. Climate change has become such a concern, that it has somewhat shadowed the other concerns we have in regards to the environment. Climate change is obviously a global problem but we cannot turn our backs on our other environmental concerns. We believe it is of utmost importance that our colleges and universities come together and create an action plan that will not only combat the evils of global warming but create strategies that will help push toward the sustainable society we so urgently need.
This is a call to get all universities of Ontario to take charge and lead the way. These institutions are not only about higher education and research, but also about shaping the minds of tomorrows future. The students of the universities not only gain knowledge from the text books they read, but they also learn lifelong valuable lessons that cannot be taught out of a text book. These post secondary institutions have a responsibility to teach the future ways of thinking and acting. We know that we are entering a new age that requires conservation and sustainability and the best way to implement this way of life is at the post secondary level. Currently, we have seen great progress in the curriculum of our institutions in helping aid the shaping of our future leaders but we call on you, the institutions to bring us one step closer.
If it is up to the students to create the next sustainable society, we ask the institutions to lead by example. Every day we travel to our campuses to find little has been down in regards to creating sustainable universities. Although some progress has been seen at some campuses across Ontario, nothing has been set that requires campuses to become green. There are two major reasons why we believe it is the responsibility of the institutions to strive to sustainability and lead by example. As mentioned earlier, these institutions not only train tomorrows future but they are also run like small cities. Because some of these campuses are so great in size, it becomes necessary to start from the source and create sustainable campuses. The impacts universities have on the environment are equal in weight when it comes to the ideas as well as the practices. By signing this agreement, we are calling for action from the students, staff, faculty and any other proponents of the universities we attend to ensure the creation of sustainable campuses and curriculums.
The Ontario Universities Sustainable Campus Commitment
The purpose of signing the Ontario Universities Sustainable Campus Commitment is to ensure that campuses across Ontario will take responsibility for their actions and integrate into the sustainable society that the world needs. The commitment is a basic guideline to help push universities to create sustainable campuses. We know institutions may have their own ideas about how to create green campuses but we believe it is of utmost importance that this commitment be available to all of the Ontario universities for a number of reasons. First it provides guidance in creating sustainable campuses, second, it provides incentive for all universities to come on board and finally, it creates a database which provides each university with different ways to aim for sustainability.
Step One: Sign the Commitment
By signing the commitment, the university is taking a stand against climate change and all environmental problems. The university is showing that they are aware and believe it is time for change. Working together, as universities, means more wide spread change and a better structure in terms of shaping the future of our campuses. By signing the commitment, the university is joining other Ontario universities in creating a sustainable future.
Step Two: Create Action Plan
After signing the commitment, it is the role of the university to create there own action plan. The major component of signing this agreement is to become carbon neutral. The University is required to create an action plan with target dates and submit the action plan to be approved. The action plan does not need to follow any particular outline; however, the plan should be achievable and have significant target dates. A committee or task force should be created which consists of people from various sectors of the campus to implement the plan. This group would create the policies and procedures, as well as monitor the ongoing measure of progress and create periodic progress reports to the campus and community.
Step Three: Conduct an Emissions Inventory
Each University would be required to conduct an emission inventory of the entire campus within one year of signing the commitment. This process will be done using the Carbon Campus Calculator or a similar tool. The first step in conducting an emission inventory is to collect data. This may be one of the tougher tasks involved and may require collaboration with many people and departments on campus. Once all the relevant data has been collected, it is to be inputted into the Carbon Campus Calculator and the calculator will calculate the emissions on campus from the raw data. Once the emissions have been calculated, it will then be necessary to analyze and present the results of the data. The Carbon Campus Calculator can aid in creating the report which then can be used to inform all campus stakeholders about the climate impact of the campus as well as act as the starting point to aim for carbon neutrality.
Step Four: Initiate plan
Once the emissions inventory is complete, it is the responsibility of the university to ensure the campus strives to reach their goals and become sustainable. The appointed committee which created the plan would monitor the progress and keep the campus and community up to date and involved.
Although the main goal of this commitment is to achieve carbon neutrality, it is also important to remember other important environmental issues. The commitment asks universities to promote sustainability through various ways.
Through Academics: One of the most effective ways universities can create a sustainable society is through the curriculum. Universities train and educate the future of tomorrow and by passing on the ideas of sustainability to tomorrows leaders, they are creating a future society with green minded professionals.
Through Energy: Most emissions from campuses are usually generated as a result of energy consumption (both heating and cooling and electricity). Campuses must act in different ways to offset there energy use. This can be done by reducing energy use as much as possible, generate and consume their own energy from renewable and clean energy sources. Purchase electricity from clean energy sources and offset any remaining emissions caused from energy.
Through Green Buildings: It is important to remember that a huge portion of emissions on a campus comes from the operation of their buildings. Campuses can keep in mind green buildings for any future development, retrofit existing buildings using LEED standards and promote education for sustainable design.
Through Transportation: Because students need to get to campus, transportation is a serious issue in terms of climate change. The university has a number of options to create a sustainable transportation infrastructure. The university can transition to more efficient fleets such as using hybrid vehicles or electricity, hydrogen or bio-fuels vehicles. The university is also encouraged to move toward a universal transit pass system for the university community. By offering incentives to use public transit and remove or charge more for parking, more students may use the transit system opposed to driving.
Through Recycling and Waste Management: It is important to remember that our waste plays an important role in climate change as well as issues we may have with garbage. The university should implement resource recovering stations throughout the campus where garbage can be sorted from compost and various types of recycling. By doing this, we avoid waste going to landfills and keep the recycling rates high. The university should also promote the use of sustainable packaging and product design.
Step Five: Publish the Results
Once the universitys goals are met, it is important to share the results with the world. A database can be created with how the university achieved carbon neutrality and other environmental goals were met. This is important because other institutions can view the result and use the same methods.

If all Ontario universities take part in The Ontario Universities Sustainable Campus Commitment, the future society will be one step closer to reaching the goal of sustainability.