University-wide efforts
Sustainability is important to Dalhousie, its community members, and the health of the planet, so we work hard to set ambitious goals and to ensure that we are working toward them every year.
Dalhousie’s Office of Sustainability drives this university-wide effort by:
Involving students in on-campus projects.
Engaging with the community on joint initiatives.
Developing and spearheading utility and renewable energy projects.
Developing plans and policies.
Providing advice on sustainability efforts to departments with a focus on natural and built infrastructure.
Delivering educational programs.
Key Performance Indicators
Key performance indicators for 2022 - 2023 include:
Process indicators
Engagement of students in campus sustainability operations activities
Off-campus partnerships and funding
Programs, projects, resources, and reporting initiatives
Support equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) initiatives
Outcomes
62% increase in diversion of solid, liquid, and hazardous waste from disposal [Waste Management page] (more disposables with the pandemic)
Reduction of electricity, fuel, water, and material consumption [Energy, Water, and Green Buildings page]
10% reduction in electricity
30% reduction in fuels
63% reduction in water
38% reduction in greenhouse gases (GHG)s and implement climate adaptation strategies [Climate Change page]
19% increase in renewable energy supply on and off campus [Campus Energy Solutions page]
79% increase in travel (commuting and business) through sustainable modes [Transportation page]
Increased campus biodiversity and maintain and increase natural spaces [Natural Environments page] through new annual program and new gardens
Buildings achieve high performance green building standards [Green Buildings page] as demonstrated by the Arts Centre addition construction project striving for LEED Gold
Reduce pollution – air, water, land - as demonstrated by new boilers that were installed with high efficiency systems reducing air pollution
Transition to more plant-based food offerings [Food page] as demonstrated by 33% in sales (2020; COVID impacted food services tracking for the 2021-2022 period, but tracking will continue in future)
Increase sustainably and ethically sourced products [Procurement page] as demonstrated by:
Custodial services reduced their use of cleaning products through the increase in use of ozonated water.
Office of Sustainability study on sustainable procurement for textiles resulted in updates to sustainable purchasing guidelines and recommendations for departments involved in textile purchasing.