Many buildings and rooms at the University of Waterloo are not performing at the level they were designed to operate at. Recommissioning involves identifying and addressing systems that are not operating at optimal levels and considering how these systems interact to affect overall performance. Which rooms on campus require the greatest improvement and how can we determine this?
SDG 13 - Climate Action
While we must all eat, there is great variation in the emissions impacts of the foods we choose to eat. Would the introduction of a climate-impact food label and communication tool help patrons make more sustainable food choices?
Information Technology (IT) uses a lot of electricity, and often the computers, servers and supportive technologies are not optimized for energy efficiency. What strategies can the University of Waterloo use to reduce electricity use in computer labs and server rooms on peak demand days and throughout the year?
Action item 41 of the University of Waterloo's Shift Neutral climate action plan is the development of an institutional Transportation Demand Management Plan. Part of this plan involves finding creative ways to convince commuters to choose sustainable means when traveling to and from campus. What information does the university need to inform staff and students about the full environmental, social and economic costs of driving?
The use of e-bikes is a great mode of alternative transportation. The University of Waterloo has 18 EV chargers. However, parking in these spots is limited to 4 hours. Additionally, there are no dedicated e-bike parking or charging stations. To what extent should the university adopt and support electric alternatives and their required infrastructure?
At the University of Waterloo, commuting contributes an estimated 19% of emissions associated with the university. Parking fees can be a tool for incentivizing alternative commuting choices. However, an increase in parking fees alone is often a highly unpopular strategy. How can the university introduce best practices from other institutions to promote sustainable transportation?
Some co-op work terms require students to have access to a vehicle for their work. The University of Waterloo is concerned that the convenience of a personal vehicle may result in decreased use of sustainable travel choices for commuting to campus. How can the university better understand the challenges of personal vehicle access for students on co-op terms?
It might be hard to visualize what the University of Waterloo campus might look like by the year 2050. The university plans to be net zero by this time, but what other changes could/should occur? The university is looking for student ideas about what makes a sustainable campus.
There are 4 air handling units in the Quantum Nano Centre (QNC) that have a poor design which results in excessive stratification of inlet air. Past attempts to improve this situation have failed. How can these units be improved to more effectively mix incoming and outlet air?
Too often, important decisions are made based almost entirely on very narrow economic factors: upfront costs, operational costs, payback periods, etc. and do not take into consideration other implications like health. What communication tools can the University of Waterloo use to highlight the health-based benefits of sustainable practices on campus?