University of Calgary

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The Office of Sustainability and the Sustainability Stewardship Working Group have implemented a wide range of initiatives, including a sustainability policy and a section on sustainability in the master plan. The purchasing policy specifies that materials, resource use, and disposal be taken into consideration in all purchases. All cleaning products are environmentally-friendly, many appliances are Energy Star, and the university is transitioning to 100 percent recycled paper.

Phase I of the university's Energy Performance Initiative has reduced carbon emissions by 8,100 tons annually since 2002. Phase II of the initiative, as well as a cogeneration plant currently under construction, will further reduce emissions by an additional 109,500 tons annually. Energy retrofits have included energy meters, HVAC retrofits, energy-efficient lighting, and automated system controls.

A selection of local food, and some organic food, is offered in the dining halls. Calgary dining halls purchase only Ocean Wise-certified seafood and nearly all coffee is fair trade. A new composting program, with an in-vessel composter, is in place in all dining halls, and there are compost bins across campus. Incentives for using reusable dishware include drink discounts and free meals.

The Child Development Centre is certified LEED Platinum, and five more buildings under construction include some green building principles. Water-saving fixtures are being installed in all buildings, and some locations have waterless urinals.

The annual Sustainability On competition encourages students to reduce their energy use, water use, and waste. The campus garden and bike-lending program are run by students. The current university-wide composting program was based on a student initiative. Numerous paid student sustainability positions are available.

The campus fleet includes hybrid and biodiesel vehicles. University members who carpool to campus receive half price parking and preferential parking spots. All students receive a universal transit pass. There are bike- and car-sharing programs, and a key principle in the master plan involves reducing cars on campus.

The university makes a list of external managers, equity holdings, and fixed-income holdings available at the investment office to the public, or sends the information to individuals upon request. The university does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles. The university plans to review the possibility of including sustainability elements in its statement of investment policies and procedures. Donors who give over $1 million can request that their investments be managed differently from the university's policy.

The university does not have the ability to vote proxies, as the entire endowment is invested in mutual funds.