Douglas College has secured a silver rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating (STARS) system for implementing environmentally conscious practices across its campuses. The STARS program is an international, transparent, self-reporting framework for post-secondary institutions that measures sustainability performance.
“Douglas College has actively championed sustainability initiatives on-campus for years, and now, with STARS, we have a greater understanding of where we are excelling, where we can make improvements, and how we compare to other post-secondary institutions around the world,” says Dave Taylor, VP, Public Affairs.
Environmental sustainability is one focus of the College’s 2020-2025 five-year strategic plan, providing a foundation for employees and students to recognize the importance of, and act towards improving, environmental sustainability on campus.
Past sustainability initiatives that helped secure the initial silver ranking include upgrading facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save water and reduce electricity consumption; eliminating single-use plastic water bottles sales; and building academic programs that directly engage students with issues that affect the world including climate change and sustainability.
This assessment assists Douglas College to further integrate sustainability-related activities through curriculum, research, operations and administration.
“The STARS program has given us access to a supportive community where we can ask questions and research innovative practices that will help the College achieve a gold rating in our next submission in three years' time,” says Chris Gardner, Director of Facilities and Ancillary Services. “From a facilities perspective, we are committed to investing in our infrastructure to improve efficiencies for electricity, water and heat, as well as promote locally grown and produced food through our FeedBC partnership.”
Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
For more information, visit: douglascollege.ca
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Contact
Elizabeth Douglas
Communications Coordinator