Embracing a more sustainable future on campus
As we continue the momentum from Earth Day (check out Â鶹AV’s top 5 sustainability initiatives), World Environment Day on June 5 offers another powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and restore our planet. Through Â鶹AV's (Â鶹AV) Strategic Innovation Plan, it’s embedded in our campus culture, programs, and daily operations. From student-led initiatives to sustainable infrastructure, the college is working to reduce its environmental footprint and model responsible practices for the next generation.
Campuses of the future
Not only are these initiatives embedded in Â鶹AV’s strategic priorities, but they are also embedded in our daily operations through the college’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2023-2028). Â鶹AV is also committed to following greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction targets by having a comprehensive energy management plan, in addition to following the City of Vancouver’s recycling guidelines and decreasing water temperatures on campus.
To help champion the college’s sustainability initiatives, Â鶹AV has a well-established environmental and sustainability advisory group.
“Our advisory group facilitates initiatives throughout the year to inform, educate, and inspire our community about the little actions people can take that will make a big difference to the environment,” explains Diana Cabrero, Â鶹AV Manager of Environment and Sustainability and ESAG chair. “For example, we host “Bee Fest” to educate our community about on-campus bee hives, we participate in Bike to Work Week to encourage more sustainable alternatives to commuting, and we provide eco small grants to current Â鶹AV students and employees who wish to initiate projects that advance sustainability through education, research, service, and campus operations.”
Diana Cabrero, Â鶹AV Manager of Environment and Sustainability stands beside the Broadway campus bee hives
Engaging students and employees
After over seven years of experience working on college facility projects to increase sustainability practices and accessibility on campus and completing a micro-credential in climate change at Royal Roads University, Diana realized that her passion for protecting the environment could make an impact on a larger scale.
She shares that taking the time to encourage students and employees to change their behaviours is a key part of the college’s sustainability efforts. Since 2018, Diana has noticed a steady increase in support of sustainability efforts on campus.
“Last year we ran a campaign to get accurate reporting on our campuses’ refrigerant emissions,” Diana says. “By doing so, we were participating in a mandate from Environment and Climate Change Canada to better understand public sector organizations’ overall carbon footprint and for the federal government to implement effective strategies to reduce emissions. The goal of this campaign was to get accurate reporting of refrigerant emissions, and the response from the Â鶹AV community was quick and accurate."
Teaching students about clean technology
With industries shifting to adopt more sustainable, eco-friendly practices, education must undergo a similar transformation.
As sustainability experience becomes more in-demand, Â鶹AV is launching a series of programs that will teach students the skills they need for the future. Enrolment is now open for its Clean Energy Technology program, which teaches students how to install, maintain and repair electrical components and renewable energy technologies. This will give students the knowledge and technical expertise to work on clean energy systems.
Â鶹AV is also preparing additional clean energy courses, such as a dedicated course to train students for roles as Wind Turbine Maintenance Technicians. Those interested can register for all the latest updates and enrolment timings.
In addition, the college’s Transportation Trades programs have a growing fleet of electric vehicles used for student training including the Toyota Mirai, one of the first fuel cell electric vehicles made for the Canadian market); the Volvo ECR25, a compact electric excavator; and Freightliner eCascadia, an all-electric semi-truck.
“We want to ensure Â鶹AV students are training on the latest technology so that when they graduate, they have the skills and training employers are looking for,” says Lucy Griffith, Acting Dean, School of Trades, Technology & Design.
“Students receive hands-on instruction in the operation, repair, and maintenance of electric vehicles in addition to fossil fuel powered vehicles. It’s valuable, real-world training for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
Â鶹AV's electric semi-truck and hydrogen electric vehicle on display at the Vancouver International Auto Show
Implementing more sustainable technologies
Â鶹AV’s Facilities Management department has completed more than 50 energy-saving projects since 2007. These include lighting upgrades, adding floor heat pumps and occupancy sensors in classrooms and boardrooms, installing premium efficient motors for fluid coolers, and more. In addition, both the Broadway and Downtown campuses have EV charging stations for students and staff who drive electric vehicles, offering two hours of free charge. The Broadway campus’ accessible parking lot also includes an EV charging station.
As a result of the environmental projects the college has completed, Diana estimates $8 million in energy cost avoidance and approximately 113,510,000 equivalent kilowatt-hours in energy savings.
To put this all into perspective the energy savings is enough to power approximately 11,300 households in B.C. and a total reduction of 64% in GHG emissions is equivalent to taking over 1,300 gas powered cars off the road for a year or planting more than 100,000 trees and letting them grow for ten years.
“We’ve done so much, and I don’t see our efforts slowing any time soon,” says Diana.
Read more about Â鶹AV's Strategic Innovation Plan