University’s green efforts highlighted in COU report

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology is leading the way in environmental sustainability through its research programs and the energy efficiency improvements it is implementing across campus, according to a new report from the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).

COU’s 2013 Going Greener Campuses at Ontario Universities report, released on August 12, 2014, outlines the steps universities are taking to decrease their emissions and overall environmental footprint, including sustainability policies, green buildings and retrofits, sustainable food initiatives, awareness campaigns, research, sustainability benchmarking, and teaching and learning. The report highlighted two of the university's green initiatives:

• The installation of a ventilation control system in laboratories, which improved energy efficiency, resulting in a reduction of 55 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
• The launch of a hydrogen production research program at the Clean Energy Research Laboratory.

“In 11 years, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology has thrived as a young, innovative, future-driven institution,” said Melissa Mirowski, Asset and Sustainability Planner, Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability. “We has become a sector leader in sustainable design and technology-enriched learning environments, prioritizing innovative research excellence and the application of energy performance technologies—most notably, the largest geothermal well field system in Canada. Recognizing that sustainability is a moving target where methods are ever changing and improving, the university continues to dedicate resources to the application of effective, long-lasting solutions.”

Most recently, the university developed the Go Green Stay Blue platform, which is focused on strengthening green initiatives on campus and in the community through active student, staff and faculty engagement.

We also recently implemented an Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan to support its commitment to improving energy performance and reducing overall energy usage within the built environment, operations and programs. The plan will contribute to the development of a larger foundation and framework that will ensure continuous sustainability integration throughout campus and the community. Addressing the university’s five-year energy management and conservation strategy, the plan includes technical, organizational and behavioural measures to be implemented across campus in an effort to further reduce energy use and operating costs.

“Sustainability is a key priority for Ontario universities, and it is great to see our faculty, staff and students working within our institutions to develop greener goals and strategies,” says Bonnie M. Patterson, COU President and CEO.