A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability

The Sustainable Concordia “Project”

• A campus sustainability assessment

• Multi-stakeholder engagement

• 100 student researchers• Capacity-building• Recommendations led to

projects

Results of our efforts

• 8 Active Working Groups• Passed an Environmental Policy• Reduced our university’s ecological footprint• Developing an Occupational Health & Safety

Environmental Management System• Developing a Strategic Plan

Results of our efforts

• Main text

• Ensured a measuring & monitoring mechanism • Hosted events, lectures, festivals, workshops• Outreach: 2000+ people annually• Engaged hundreds of students• Inspired community members to be agents of change

Key areas for campus sustainability

Sustainable development means balancing social, ecological, and economic priorities.

Strategic Planning

Education

Research ExternalCommunity

UniversityOperations

1. Institutionalize sustainability

2. Minimize Concordia’s ecological footprint

3. Increase the sustainability literacy of students through curriculum & research

4. Engage the community

Purchasing

Events Transport

BuildingsLand Use

Food

Energy

Waste

Landscaping withnative plants

Green buildings &renovations

Increase the use ofalternative transportation

Increase local, fair trade,& organic food sources

Host low-impact events

Reduce ourfootprint

Reduce our energy consumption & greenhouse gas emissions

Ethical & environmentalpurchasing practices

Waste management

Wave Model of Transformation

energy management

waste management

research serves thecommunity

sustainability curriculum

sustainability policy

green built environment

low-impact events

water management

ethical income & investments

sustainable purchasing & materials acquisition

governance

community health & well-being

Concordia Concerns• Sustainability is a

trend.• Sustainability is

costly.• Sustainability is

boring.

Most-Likely Scenario

$-

$10,000.00

$20,000.00

$30,000.00

$40,000.00

$50,000.00

$60,000.00

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Year

Am

ou

nt

Total Savings

Total Cost

Ideas that work

• Make your initiatives a participatory process• Make room & time for multi-stakeholder

engagement• Measure & monitor your work• Develop a strong communication strategy• Consider what is relevant to the realities of

your institution & its culture• Re-think