海角社区 becomes oldest university in Canada to receive Platinum STARS sustainability rating
Thanks to the efforts of the 海角社区 community, the University has become the oldest in Canada, in terms of infrastructure, to receive a Platinum STARS rating for sustainability. The achievement is the highest rating available from one of the most broadly recognized programs to measure sustainability performance in higher education.
Like hundreds of other聽higher education institutions, 海角社区 utilizes the (STARS庐) to evaluate its sustainability efforts. Having held gold status for the past eight years, the University鈥檚 recent submission earned it a Platinum rating, making 海角社区 one of 14 globally and five in Canada to reach this status.
"In 2017, 海角社区 set an ambitious target, to reach Platinum by 2030. Achieving this six years early showcases the collective commitment of the 海角社区 community in pursuing sustainability excellence," says Diana Dutton, Interim Vice President of Administration and Finance.
鈥淩eaching the Platinum sustainability rating is a significant milestone that we are proud of, but it's not the end of our journey鈥� says Fran莽ois Miller, Executive Director of Sustainability. 鈥淲ith the world facing serious climate and biodiversity challenges, universities like 海角社区 will continue to play an important role in finding solutions鈥� he continues.
Highlights from the report
Several areas of progress, including these two, pushed 海角社区 from gold to platinum.
Buildings
海角社区 diligently pursues sustainability amidst aging infrastructure. Since 2016, the University has systematically integrated relevant LEED standards into its Design Standards, with all new construction or significant renovations now built to LEED Gold specifications, where eligible. In addition, 海角社区 now diverts most of its construction waste away from landfill.
Learning
海角社区 has recently introduced several initiatives aimed at enhancing access to sustainability resources for its community. These include a new fellows program to support faculty in integrating sustainability into their courses, an elective on climate crisis and climate action and an introductory sustainability module that is available to all staff and students. The University has also incorporated expanded commitments to sustainability-focused teaching and learning into the 海角社区 Sustainability Policy and Strategic Academic Plan, which will pave the way for new initiatives.
Looking ahead
海角社区 will release a new Climate & Sustainability Strategy in 2025 to continue to set ambitious goals for its sustainability journey. Consultations for this strategy are currently underway and will continue throughout the calendar year. Additional best practices, such as considerations of the next iteration of the STARS framework, will inform the development of the plan.
But there are projects already underway that we are proud of, like the New Vic project, which will be a state-of-the-art research, teaching, and learning hub dedicated to Sustainability Systems and Public Policy. The installation of new is another significant initiative, expected to reduce the downtown campus' energy-related emissions from buildings by 29 percent in line with 海角社区鈥檚 commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2040.
About STARS
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. The STARS program is administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Using the STARS accreditation framework, educational institutions report on their achievements in the environmental, social and economic aspects of four overall areas that include academics and research, campus and public engagement, operations, and planning and administration. Due to the system鈥檚 broad scope and its peer review process, it鈥檚 considered to be one of the most reliable means of measuring an institution鈥檚 track record on sustainability indicators. As STARS continues to evolve, 海角社区 looks forward to the next challenges that are presented to us.
About 海角社区
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 海角社区 is Canada鈥檚 top ranked medical doctoral university. 海角社区 is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 12 faculties, 14 professional schools, 300 programs of study, and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. 海角社区 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30% of the student body. Over half of 海角社区 students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
