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4.13 Sustainability Policy

4.13 Sustainability Policy

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This online version is for convenience; the official version of this policy is housed in the University Secretariat. In case of discrepancy between the online version and the official version held by the Secretariat, the official version shall prevail.

Approving Authority: Board of Governors

Original Approval Date: February 5, 2009

Date of Most Recent Review/Revision: April 24, 2025

Office of Accountability: VP, Finance and Administration

Administrative Responsibility: Sustainability Office

1.00 Purpose

1.01 This policy establishes the commitment of Wilfrid Laurier University (the University) to enhance, wherever possible, the quality of social, economic, and environmental sustainability at a multi-campus level.

1.02 Recognizing that its activities have an impact upon the environment, the University acknowledges its responsibility to lead in environmental sustainability and inspire the incorporation of sustainable practices in the society and economy.

1.03 Through transparent goals, measurable actions, and a collaborative approach, the University demonstrates its commitment to developing a sustainably proactive University community and achieving Net Zero targets.

2.00 Definitions

2.01 Member(s) of the University Community: persons who currently live, work, or study (in person or online) on any Laurier campus. Members include Students (including Student groups), employees, adjunct and visiting faculty, and volunteers at Laurier.

2.02 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): the United Nations’ call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity. They are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

2.03 Sustainability: refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, as defined by the United Nations Brundtland Commission in 1987. It’s a holistic ideology that considers the social, environmental and economic impacts of actions and decisions taken today.

2.04 Net Zero: Laurier’s atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, derived from human activities, are balanced by Laurier’s human-driven removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere over a specified period.

3.00 Jurisdiction/Scope

3.01 This is a multi-campus policy and is therefore applicable to all the University Facilities and Members of the University Community with respect to the following:

3.01.01 Awareness: Assisting in the creation of solutions to address sustainability challenges, and sharing knowledge relevant to building a sustainable future;

3.01.02 Operations: Embedding sustainable practices related to energy, climate change and air emissions, waste, water, buildings, transportation, grounds, food systems; and

3.01.03 Engagement: Involving and empowering Members of the University Community to participate in sustainable change on and off campus.

4.00 Policy

4.01 The University is committed to sustainability now and in the future and will strive to motivate the Members of the University Community through excellence in operations; academics; research, engagement; and investment.

5.00 Guiding Principles

5.01 The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of 17 interconnected goals aimed at addressing global challenges and improving the well-being of people and the planet. These goals cover a wide range of areas including ending poverty, promoting education, ensuring gender equality, fostering economic growth, combating climate change, and promoting peace and justice.

5.02 Guided by the principles outlined in the SDGs, the University is committed to integrating sustainability into all aspects of its operations, curriculum, research and community engagement. The following principles will guide the University’s sustainability efforts:

5.02.01 Promoting Environmental Stewardship: Strive to minimize the University’s environmental impact, conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect biodiversity.

5.02.02 Fostering Inclusion: The University values diversity and a culture of inclusivity and is committed to justice and sustainability now and in the future.

5.02.03 Advancing Economic Prosperity: Promote sustainable economic growth, support local economies, and prioritize ethical business practices throughout procurement and investment activities.

5.02.04 Enhancing Health and Well-being: Foster a culture of health and well-being for Members of the University Community, and surrounding communities through initiatives that promote physical, mental, and emotional wellness.

5.02.05 Cultivating Lifelong Learning: Integrate sustainability principles into academic programs, research endeavors, and campus operations to empower Members of the University Community to become informed and engaged global citizens.

5.02.06 Collaborating for Impact: Actively seek partnerships and engage with stakeholders to drive positive change locally and globally.

5.02.07 Transparent Governance and Accountability: Establish clear goals, metrics, and reporting mechanisms to monitor the University’s progress towards sustainability targets.

6.00 Sustainability Framework

6.01 The University will seek to continuously advance its environmental, economic, and social performance in the areas of operations, academics and research, engagement, investment and finance.

6.02 Operations:

6.02.01 Develop programs and initiatives for Members of the University Community to minimize consumption of non-renewable energy, minimize greenhouse gas production, minimize water consumption and contamination, enhance water reuse, and reduce the quantity of solid, organic and hazardous waste produced;

6.02.02 Identify opportunities to enhance the ecological performance of University Facilities by employing sustainable building design, construction best practices, and energy efficient standards and principles wherever possible;

6.02.03 Balance quality, cost and environmental sustainability in its purchasing and investment decisions;

6.02.04 Continue to integrate lifecycle cost and impact analysis into ongoing infrastructure renewal and development, capital planning, campus master planning, and procurement decisions; and

6.02.05 Work to develop and adopt environmentally sustainable practices, standards and processes in all its operations by embedding sustainable practices into utility management, waste management, transportation, grounds management, food systems, and procurement.

6.03 Academics and Research:

6.03.01 Improve sustainability knowledge and skills of University’s students by providing sustainability resources and opportunities to University’s teaching community and to students directly;

6.03.02 Strive to be in the forefront of sustainability research and education and use institutional capability to promote sustainability within and beyond the Members of the University Community; and

6.03.03 Provide education and training for Members of the University Community to make a full contribution to the University’s agenda for sustainability and to study, work and live in an environmentally responsible way to become sustainably aware global citizens.

6.04 Engagement:

6.04.01 Align sustainability engagement with the University’s strategic objectives;

6.04.02 Build partnerships with non-profit and non-governmental organizations, community members, alumni, municipal, provincial, and federal organizations to advance the sustainable objectives of the University.

6.04.03 Collaborate through a steering committee consisting of representation from Members of the University Community to ensure that issues relating to sustainability are addressed.

6.05 Investment and Finance:

6.05.01 Support meaningful action on climate change while meeting fiduciary duties to the Board of Governors.

7.00 Accountability

7.01 The University will establish and maintain a sustainability action plan with measurable goals across all sustainability framework areas of this policy.

7.02 The University will report annually to the Board of Governors and the Members of the University Community on its progress towards achieving its goals, including information about environmental impacts and initiatives taken.

Relevant Legislation

Related Policies, Procedures and Documents

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