Institutionalizing Sustainability The University of British Columbia Case

Institutionalizing Sustainability: The University of British Columbia Case Study Presentation to Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference April 2, 2008 Charlene Easton, Director UBC Sustainability

Presentation Outline 1. Our Story: An Overview with a Focus on Governance 2. Signature Stories 3. Critical Success Elements

University of British Columbia • One of top five research-intensive universities • Ranked as one of the world’s top 40 universities • 45, 000 students • 19, 000 faculty and staff • Recognized world leader in sustainability.

Chronology 1990 – 2008 1990 Talloires Declaration 1991 Halifax Declaration 1997 UCB Policy on Sustainable Development 1998 Sustainability Office (1998) • Green Building, Ecotrek, SEEDS, SC Coordinators, Renew, 1999 -ongoing 2005 TREK 2010 2006 Sustainability Strategy 2007 UBC 2006/2007 Sustainability Report 2008 University and College Presidents’ Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada

UBC Sustainable Development Policy #5 (1997) UBC will implement practices that are: “mindful of the need to balance ecological, social, and economic imperatives, and to do so, in an open and transparent way with the involvement of all stakeholders. ”

The challenge UBC Sustainability Office Mission: Creating a Culture of Sustainability at UBC

A Unique Funding Model • Early emphasis on a “Green Campus” program and retrofitting old buildings • Initially consisted just of a Director and an Energy Manager • Funding Through Energy Savings: our office is continually funded through savings from energy and water reductions

UBC Sustainability Office Organizational Structure 10/7/2020

Trek 2010 Vision “The University of British Columbia, aspiring to be one of the world’s best universities, will prepare students to become exceptional global citizens, promote the values of a civil and sustainable society, and conduct outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada, and the world. ”

Inspirations and Aspirations 2006 SOCIAL GOALS A) Improve Human Health & Safety B) Make UBC a Sustainable Community C) Increase Understanding of Sustainability Inside and Outside the University ECONOMIC GOALS D) Ensure Ongoing Economic Viability E) Maintain and Enhance the Asset Base F) Maintain and Maximize the Utilization G) of the Physical Infrastructure ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS H) Reduce Pollution I) Conserve Resources J) Protect Biodiversity 10/7/2020

68 Targets in total Social Performance Student Engagement • Involve 10% of students in Community Service Learning programs Aboriginal Issues • Increase number of courses and enrolment in courses on Aboriginal issues and perspectives Environmental Performance Waste Reduction • Divert 50% of campus waste from new institutional construction from landfill Air Quality • Maintain annual average automobile traffic at or below 1997 per capita levels Economic Performance Increase Research Support • Be one of the top recipients of government research funding for Canadian universities Tuition Fees • Strive 10/7/2020 to keep tuition fees at 25 -30% of education costs for domestic students

2006/2007 Annual Report 10/7/2020

UBC Sustainability: Video

Signature Stories

C. K. Choi 1996 Highlights • UBC as early adopter of green building • Set new benchmarks for the world • Won multiple green architecture awards Features • Over 50% of materials were salvaged/reused • Natural ventilation • First composting toilets in an institutional building in Canada • No connection to sewer

Green Buildings A Value to Sustainability 1. Spurring innovation in the region 2. UBC reputation and brand 3. Educational value 4. Catalyst for a comprehensive green building program at UBC (work in progress)

Strong Green Building Cluster 1 30 15 2 1 25 3 2 1 38% of LEED Certified buildings in Canada are in BC 64% of LEED Certified buildings in BC are in the Metro Vancouver area

Eco Trek

UBC U-PASS

UBC SEEDS Program Core Elements • based on pedagogy of ‘action research’ • individual credit or class project • Dedicated coordinator to build relationships, negotiate scope, problem solve, guide Achievements • over 2000 students in 7 years

Lessons Learned: SEEDS 1. A three way partnership- staff, students and researchers 2. Research project focused on a ‘real need’ usually generated by staff ensures application 3. Well negotiated and agreed to scope of work fundamental to student success 4. Quality control – detail oriented, customer service, organized, relational, requires a dedicated coordinator.

UBC Sustainability Coordinators Core Elements • employee volunteer program • 2 hours a month paid time • support ( tool kits) and appreciation (luncheons) • thematic foci: transportation, energy conservation and waste management • individual and collective accountability for actions 10/7/2020

Lessons Learned: Sustainability Coordinators 1. Use the volunteer management cycle and behavioral change principles (prompts, incentives, norms communication and commitment). 2. If someone makes a small commitment to start, it will grow from there. Gain commitment at about 5 stages in the volunteer management cycle – job description, recruitment, interview, training, recognition. If you build commitment people won’t leave you. 3. If you had a high turn around could not run the program, because then the culture of sustainability would not be consistent.

Institutionalizing Sustainability: Critical Success Elements

Institutionalization Scope

Sustainability Office: Institutionalization Functions • • Vision, strategic planning, and reporting Policy alignment & horizontal coordination Technical and expert services Alliance building /partnership development Resource leveraging Demonstration /Signature Programs Communications & branding

Our Niche is a neutral zone 10/7/2020

UBC’s Climate Action Partnership

Critical Success Elements • Engagement to build genuine ownership • Shared direction and support from the top • Leadership and information standards for decision -making • Hold spaces for authentic dialogue • Programs coincide with primary processes /add value • Flexible and iterative planning • Appreciate and investment in social innovation • Focus on scaling-up and expansion strategies • Demonstrate the Business Case • Shared accountability and transparency

In Closing Please visit www. sustain. ubc. ca for more information on the UBC & Sustainability Summer Institute in Sustainability July 20 -25 www. cstudies. ubc. ca/sustainability 10/7/2020

Institutionalizing Sustainability at the University of Maryland With Lessons Learned from UBC Mark Stewart Campus Sustainability Coordinator University of Maryland

Timeline of Institutionalizing Sustainability at UM The Past: Disparate Efforts • Decades of deeply committed individuals working in their own capacities to green their operations – Student Affairs (environmental guidelines, PRDs, etc. ) – Dining Services (composting, waste reduction, etc. ) – Campus Planning (Master Plan, storm water mgmt. , etc. ) – Others

Timeline of Institutionalizing Sustainability at UM The Recent: Calling for a Campus-Wide Approach • Environmental Stewardship Committee formed • First Campus Sustainability Report released • Vice Presidents excited about sustainability • Student referendum asked for Clean Energy Student Fee • Student petition asked President to sign ACUPCC • President signed ACUPCC • Office of Sustainability established

Timeline of Institutionalizing Sustainability at UM The Present: Beginning to Institutionalize Sustainability • Office of Sustainability – Supporting and developing sustainability champions among faculty, staff, and students campus-wide. • Climate Action Plan Work Group – ACUPCC plan; Administrators, faculty, staff, and students • University Strategic Plan – Recognizes sustainability; major policy implications • USM Sustainability Initiative

Moving Forward (with Lessons Learned from UBC) • Push for triple-bottom-line sustainability. This movement cannot be pigeonholed into just “greening the campus. ” • Brand the work of the Energy Service Company (ESCO) and all other conservation initiatives under one campaign (UBC example: Eco. Trek) • Work with local utility company for funding opportunities for conservation and outreach (UBC example: BC Hydro) • Involve students in research that supports conservation initiatives (UBC example: SEEDS)

Moving Forward (with Lessons Learned from UBC) • Develop Champions of Sustainability – Faculty and staff liaisons (UBC example: Sustainability Coordinators) – Student liaisons (UBC example: Residential Sustainability Coordinators) – Student Government liaison (UBC example: Alma Mater Society Sustainability Coordinator)

Moving Forward with Other Initiatives • Climate Action Plan • Sustainability Speaker Series • Integrating sustainability into New Student Orientation • Integrating sustainability into UNIV 100 freshman class • Major sustainability education campaign in the fall • Residence hall competitions • Curriculum development workshops for faculty and eventually k-12 teachers • Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)

Contact: Mark Stewart Campus Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability stewartm@umd. edu 301 -405 -4633