The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) has released its 2015 "Going Greener" sustainability report, which tracks the progress that Ontario Universities are making on campus sustainability. These include food sustainability, conservation efforts, development of academic curricula, and community engagement.The report launched in 2009 after Ontario Universities signed the Ontario Universities, Committed to a Greener Future pledge. The report is now in its sixth year.
"Universities are teaming up with students, other members of their communities, municipal governments and local businesses to make positive changes,” says Bonnie M. Patterson, President and CEO of COU.
“They are growing academic programs, designing sustainable buildings, and expanding options for earth-friendly transit. There is increasing interest among students in attending ‘green’ universities and this report demonstrates not only the strides being made in going greener but also serves as a tool to share best practices to encourage future progress.”
The University of Waterloo has two case studies featured in the report:
- Work done by Environment and Business students to lay groundwork for Waterloo Region's first ever Climate Action Plan
- The launch of the first Master of Climate Change in Canada
Major highlights from the report include:
- More than 200 sustainability focused programs are offered by Ontario’s universities
- 91 per cent of campuses offer discounted or free transit passes to students
- 77 per cent offer a car share station on campus
- 64 per cent offer a carpool or rideshare program
- 64 per cent offer a bike repair station
- 96 per cent of campuses have local food initiatives
- 86 per cent have a community or teaching garden
- 77 per cent have a farmer’s market on campus
- 73 per cent have implemented food donation initiatives