Organizations around the world are increasingly responding to critical sustainability challenges and opportunities, including in the higher education sector. But what does sustainability mean for the University of Waterloo? Where are we going as an institution, and how can employees across campus be involved? This session will walk attendees through background information on global sustainability issues and how they are relevant for academic institutions. It will provide an overview of the University's response to these pressing challenges through the commitments and objectives of its first-ever Environmental Sustainability Strategy, including in our academic activities, operational performance, and campus culture. Lastly, employees will complete an interactive and discussion-based exercise on how various aspects of sustainability are relevant for their department and for their individual roles.
Learning Outcomes:
- Increase understanding and awareness of sustainability issues
- Introduce staff to Waterloo's Environmental Sustainability Strategy
- Identify how employees can integrate sustainability into their own roles and departments
Key Themes:
- Community Outreach and Engagement / Corporate & Social Responsibility
- New or Forthcoming Initiatives for Employees
- Sustainability
Presenter:
Mat Thijssen coordinates the University of Waterloo's sustainability efforts in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders on and off campus, and provides support to the President's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability. He is the chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee for the City of Waterloo, Chair of the ClimateActionWR Transportation Sector Committee, and Director of Communications for the Ontario College and University Sustainability Professionals. Prior to joining the University of Waterloo, Mat worked for three years with Sustainable Waterloo Region, and has extensive experience presenting on sustainability-related topics, including at past Staff Conferences and employee training workshops.
Session:
April 5, 2018
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
QNC 1502