Embed climate (mitigation and resilience) and sustainability into all operational decisions and projects and work to achieve milestones toward the United Nations-led Race To Zero campaign commitment.
Actions
Below are the actions that the VPFA portfolio has taken to support Goal 5: Operations. The progress made is included under each action.
GHG Emissions Reductions. Reduce operational GHG emissions by 50 per cent (Scope 1, 2 and limited Scope 3 [exclusively paper purchased]) from 2007 by 2025
- 大象传媒 joined the United Nations-led Race To Zero global campaign and established the university鈥檚 net zero targets.
- 大象传媒 Facilities Services goes paperless.
- 大象传媒 cut greenhouse gases by more than 50 per cent from 2007 levels in 2021, exceeding provincial interim targets and topping the university鈥檚 own aggressive Race To Zero targets.
- 大象传媒's 2022 Climate Change Accountability Report was recently released. 大象传媒 made remarkable strides by reporting a 52 per cent reduction in emissions in 2022. This achievement is even more notable considering that the university's physical footprint has expanded by approximately 30 per cent since it began annual greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting in 2007.
- 大象传媒 staff breaks down gender barriers and 大象传媒鈥檚 energy emissions
- Into the green - 大象传媒 exceeds greenhouse gas reduction targets
Renewable energy.鈥 Shift 50 per cent of the fossil-fuel based energy used by 大象传媒 to renewables by 2025
- 大象传媒 has reduced the carbon footprint of its Burnaby campus by 85 per cent (or 11,600 tCO2e annually) with the help of the Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility (BMDEU), a biomass energy centre that is the collaboration between 大象传媒, 大象传媒 Community Trust and Corix Utilities.
Scope 3 GHG Emissions Reduction (indirect/value chain)
- 大象传媒 joined the United Nations-led Race To Zero global campaign and established the university鈥檚 net zero targets.
- 大象传媒 collaborates with Quantum Lifecycle to keep devices out of landfills.
- 大象传媒 makes great strides in sustainable procurement to reduce our environmental footprint.
- 大象传媒 has a new student ambassador working with the ReUse for Good program.
- The social impact program, Mugshare, launched at Renaissance Caf茅.
- 大象传媒 funded the Living Lab . The VPFA hired a student to continue research on EVs to support the exploration of fleet purchasing.
- 大象传媒 Dining Commons has expanded with over 40 per cent of ingredients sourced locally in B.C., including global cuisine and plant-forward options.
- 大象传媒 launched a personal protective equipment (PPE) mask recycling program on all three campuses.
- We deepened our relationship with ChopValue to start upcycling chopsticks at 大象传媒 into new materials for 大象传媒 campuses.
- New EV Charger Additions Support 大象传媒 Emissions Reduction Goals
- 'Recyclopedia' Launches as Online Recycling Info Hub at 大象传媒
Investment Portfolio. 大象传媒 will divest from fossil fuels by 2025
- 大象传媒 has released the inaugural carbon footprint document.
- 大象传媒 is the first university in Canada to invest with Vancity Community Investment Bank (VCIB), which will help transform our communities and advance 大象传媒鈥檚 commitment to responsible investment.
- 大象传媒 has committed to a full divestment from fossil fuels by 2025.
Climate Resilience. Integrate the climate resilience report big moves into action planning processes
- 大象传媒 hosts events inviting community members to share their experiences and contribute to development of the university's Climate Resilience Plan.
- 大象传媒 food leaders share sustainability strides at UN Food Systems Summit
How You Can Contribute to this Goal
Learn more about how the 大象传媒 community can support Goal 5: Operations of 大象传媒鈥檚 Strategic Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.
Hang onto your tech
Reduce your e-waste by resisting device upgrades and keeping your devices for an additional year. A recent found that extending the lifespan of devices and other appliances by one year could save enough emissions in Europe as taking 2 million cars off the roads.
Start a carpool club
Commuting makes up a huge proportion of 大象传媒鈥檚 indirect emissions. Emissions from a solo car trip can be up to two to four times more than from a carpooled trip. For 大象传媒 staff, consider creating a signup list for your staff team, normalizing talking about carpooling in staff meetings, planning for those who drive to come to campus on the same days, offering prizes and incentives and working to change the culture in your office to be more focused on sustainable solutions.
Go plant-based at home and at work
Switch to serving plant-based foods at your department鈥檚 events and in your kitchen! Ingredients like beef and lamb have much higher carbon footprints than options that include tofu or vegetables. This switch can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and when planning on-campus events, it signals to 大象传媒 Meeting, Events and Conference Services (MECS) that there is an increasing demand for climate-friendly food options.
Reduce your air travel emissions
Plan and prioritize your regional and international meetings, conferences and events for the year, and only send staff members on flights when necessary鈥攑rioritize remote participation, or train and bus travel. When flights are necessary, book your staff in economy instead of business or first-class. Purchasing a first-class ticket can emit as many of three to ten times more emissions than an economy class ticket.
Aim for zero waste on campus and at home
Properly sort your garbage, recyclables, compostables and paper to divert as much as possible from landfill. You can find four-stream recycling bins all over 大象传媒 that make this convenient and efficient. Not sure what goes where? These handy tips can help.
Find Fair Trade alternatives
Fair trade products are goods produced abroad which are traded to more ethical and sustainable standards than the status-quo in conventional trade. 大象传媒 offers fair trade certified coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate, flowers and bookstore products.