University of Alberta

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

The University of Alberta's board of governors recently endorsed the development of a university-wide sustainability initiative, which will include the creation of an office of sustainability and a $1 million revolving loan fund for sustainability initiatives and projects. The facilities and operations department employs three full-time sustainability staff.

The university is midway through a seven-year, $25 million energy management program that will reduce carbon emissions by 30,000 tons per year. Utility service is provided by the District Energy System, a single high-efficiency facility that provides power, steam, chilled water, compressed air, domestic and demineralized water, instrument quality air, and storm and sanitary drainage for the entire campus and other outlying institutions. The gas-powered system reduces carbon emissions by more than 50,000 tons per year.

Dining services offers locally sourced meat, fair trade coffee, uses only biodegradable to-go containers, and composts kitchen waste. In addition, a student group runs an organic garden. The campus has a comprehensive single-stream recycling program, including an on-campus processing facility.

LEED Silver certification or higher is required for all new construction, and the university is currently seeking Silver and Gold certification for four buildings. Sustainability is a priority in all major retrofits and renovations that are currently in progress or planned for the near future.

The Environmental Coordination Office of Students manages many initiatives, including the bike library, campus community garden, discussion forums, an extensive recycling program for electronic waste, and sustainability sessions during orientation. The EcoHouse is a sustainability-themed student residence.

The Universal Transit Pass provides eligible students with unlimited access to municipal public transportation during the fall and winter semesters. A bicycle-sharing program runs from April through October and includes a part-time mechanic. Recent purchases of hybrid and electric vehicles are part of plans to green the vehicle fleet. Much of campus is designed for pedestrian traffic only.

The university makes information on endowment holdings available on the school's website. The university's proxy voting record is available only to trustees.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds and community development loan funds.

The university asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.