Background
Too often important decisions are made based almost entirely on very narrow economic factors: upfront costs, operational costs, payback periods, etc. Yet these decisions often have social, ecological and health implications that are overlooked or under-appreciated in these analyses. Creative and compelling value propositions that showcase these other dimensions can help to drive better decisions that can also be more cost-effective in the long term when the broader and full costs of a decision are considered.
The Sustainability Office is looking to develop new communication tools for the non-economic benefits of a variety of the programs and operations that it influences. These communication tools can help to highlight the multi-dimensional value of sustainable choices and build compelling cases for decisions that may not appear to be the best choice at first glance when only upfront costs are considered. This work relates to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 15.
Scope of Work Could Include
- Research sustainability practices promoted by the Sustainability Office in one or more of the following areas:
- Naturalized landscaping
- Other landscaping
- Green roofs and blue roofs
- Sustainable food choices
- Commutes to work
- Water use
- New building standards
- Energy efficiency
- Greenhouse gas emissions reduction
- Other
- Research best practices for communicating the non-economic benefits or value for sustainable practices related to the areas above. These benefits may include social, physical and/or mental health, ecological and environmental, climate-related, political, reputational, and others. The benefits can also be
- Qualitative eg. Exposure to nature can improve mental health
- Quantitative eg. A 2.5cm diameter Oak tree planted on campus will remove 25 g of PM2.5 over 20 years1
- Note: unless the evidence is strong, it is best to avoid attempting to put a dollar value on non-economic benefits
- Develop creative and compelling communication strategies for raising awareness of these noneconomic benefits of sustainable practices.
Resources
The University of Waterloo Sustainability Strategy, Shift Neutral Climate Action Plan, and other resources are available on the campus Sustainability Office website. The Sustainability Office can also share draft versions of the Land Care Standard and other guides.
Stakeholders
- Sustainability Office
Proposed Deliverables
The details of the deliverables are flexible but must meet the requirements set out by the course instructor. Some proposed deliverables include:
- A work plan early in the term outlining key milestones and responsibilities.
- Updates on progress at least once during the term.
- A final report outlining the outcomes of the research, communications strategy, and recommendations.
- A final meeting to review the outcomes of the report and answer questions.
1 https://mytree.itreetools.org/#/benefits/individual