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Progress report for campus operations

University-wide efforts

Sustainability is important to Dalhousie, its community members, and the health of the planet, so we work hard to set ambitious goals and to ensure that we are working toward them every year.Ìý

Dalhousie’s Office of Sustainability drives this university-wide effort by:

  • Involving students in on-campus projects.

  • Engaging with the community on joint initiatives.

  • Developing and spearheading utility and renewable energy projects.

  • Developing plans and policies.

  • Providing advice on sustainability efforts to departments with a focus on natural and built infrastructure.

  • Delivering educational programs.

Annual Sustainability Progress Report for Campus Operations

For the complete details on Dal’s progress, read the full report for Campus Operations. This annual snapshot report highlights progress made on key operational sustainability efforts as articulated in the University Sustainability Operations Plan.

Read this year's report [PDF 5.9MB]
Annual Sustainability Progress Report for Campus Operations 2022-2023

Key Performance Indicators

Key performance indicators for 2022 - 2023 include:

Process indicators

  • Engagement of students in campus sustainability operations activitiesÌý

  • Off-campus partnerships and funding

  • Programs, projects, resources, and reporting initiativesÌý

  • Support equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) initiatives

Ìý

Outcomes

  • 62% increase in diversion of solid, liquid, and hazardous waste from disposal [Waste Management page] (more disposables with the pandemic)Ìý

  • Reduction of electricity, fuel, water, and material consumption [Energy, Water, and Green Buildings page]

  • 10% reduction in electricityÌý

  • 30% reduction in fuels

  • Ìý63% reduction in waterÌý

  • 38% reduction in greenhouse gases (GHG)s and implement climate adaptation strategies [Climate Change page]

  • 19% increase in renewable energy supply on and off campus [Campus Energy Solutions page]Ìý

  • 79% increase in travel (commuting and business) through sustainable modes [Transportation page]

  • Increased campus biodiversity and maintain and increase natural spaces [Natural Environments page] through new annual program and new gardensÌý

  • Buildings achieve high performance green building standards [Green Buildings page] as demonstrated by the Arts Centre addition construction project striving for LEED Gold

  • Reduce pollution – air, water, land - as demonstrated by new boilers that were installed with high efficiency systems reducing air pollutionÌý

  • Transition to more plant-based food offerings [Food page] as demonstrated by 33% in sales (2020; COVID impacted food services tracking for the 2021-2022 period, but tracking will continue in future)

  • Increase sustainably and ethically sourced products [Procurement page] as demonstrated by:Ìý

  • Custodial services reduced their use of cleaning products through the increase in use of ozonated water.Ìý

  • Office of Sustainability study on sustainable procurement for textiles resulted in updates to sustainable purchasing guidelines and recommendations for departments involved in textile purchasing.Ìý