Sustainability

U of C – Stepping Up Together ON

The University of Calgary

Greenhouse Gas Emission
Reduction Plan

2010 • Research
• Teaching and Learning
CLIMATE • Campus Operations
ACTION PLAN • Partnering for change
Summary Report
University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon with a few of the many students at the U of C who are
demonstrating leadership in finding solutions to the challenges of climate change.

Pictured (L to R): Elizabeth Brennan, Brandon Peterson, Robbie Wilson, Tawfiq

Hirani, Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, Halley O’Byrne, Alex Pulwicki and Julie Bogle

Released: November 25, 2010

Read the Full and Summary versions of the Climate Action Plan at: www.ucalgary.ca/sustainability

Front cover: University of Calgary’s LEED® Platinum Child Development Centre

Photo credit: Robert Lemermeyer
 University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

Message from the President

On behalf of the University of Calgary I am pleased to present our 2010 Climate Action Plan. As a signatory to the University and College
Presidents’ Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada, the University of Calgary has committed to: achieving significant emissions
reductions in our operations, finding solutions to climate change through research and partnerships with our community, and preparing
our students for leadership and excellence in their post secondary endeavours. The University of Calgary has a distinguished research
and teaching history within the broad field of energy and environment, and over the past decade we have driven down institutional
greenhouse gas emissions despite our main campus growing by 30 percent. The 2010 Climate Action Plan and our broader Institutional
Sustainability Plan build upon our past accomplishments and challenge us to reach higher and embrace new opportunities for innovation
and leadership.

The 2010 Climate Action Plan identifies viable actions for further reducing the university’s operational greenhouse gas emissions by
45 percent by 2015 and 80 percent by 2050 from a 2008 baseline. Many of these actions will also reduce our operating costs. The
Plan highlights research activity in energy and the environment, an institutional strategic research priority. It also highlights how we are
preparing our students for leadership in addressing climate change challenges in our formal curriculum and our vibrant co-curricular
learning environment. The 2010 Climate Action Plan is a living document; as opportunities for realizing a stable low carbon economy
evolve so too will our Climate Action Plan.

Global warming and sustainable development have emerged as key local, national and international concerns. The related challenges
are significant in magnitude and complexity. Society looks to universities to help lead this challenge. I call upon the community in the
broadest sense to rise up to this opportunity for leadership and reinvention.

“Society looks to universities to help lead

this challenge. I call upon the community
in the broadest sense to rise up to this
opportunity for leadership and reinvention.”

- Dr. Elizabeth Cannon

To the Canadian post-secondary education community: collectively we can and must lead the challenge by achieving deep operational
emission reductions and by preparing our students for leadership in addressing the challenges ahead. We must work collaboratively on
critical research endeavours, we must demonstrate the significance of our collective actions, and we must share our knowledge with
communities across Canada and around the world. The University of Calgary welcomes cross-institutional collaboration and leadership.

To our fellow citizens, the businesses, and the public institutions of Calgary: through dialogue, partnerships and collaborative action we
can make Calgary a North American leader in providing and promoting solutions to climate change. As a North American hub for energy
excellence we have the knowledge, innovative capacity, and competitive advantage to lead this challenge. I invite you to read our Climate
Action Plan, share your aspirations with us, and work in partnership with the University of Calgary in support of these goals.

To University of Calgary students, faculty and staff: we have much to be proud of in our research, teaching and campus operations
but we can and must do more. This plan identifies immediate actions that many of you will participate in. It is also an invitation to all
students, faculty and staff members to explore further and to bring forward new opportunities to weave climate action into all aspects of
our collective endeavours so that we can go further. I invite all of you to participate in helping the University of Calgary realize its vision
of becoming a North American leader in institutional sustainability and climate action.

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon

President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Calgary

Sustainability
U of C – Stepping Up Together ON 1
University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report
U of C baseline greenhouse (GHG)
gas emissions:
330,000 metric tonnes
CO2e (fiscal year 2008/2009)
U of C GHG reduction goals:
45% by 2015
60% by 2020
80% by 2050
CO2e = CO2 equivalent.
Different GHGs contribute to a
warming effect. Measured together
they are referred to as CO2
equivalent, or CO2e.
Bob Ellard, vice-president (facilities
management & development)
2 Sustainability
Executive Summary
As a signatory to the University and College Presidents Climate Change Statement of
Action (UCPCCSA) the University of Calgary (U of C) has committed to “demonstrate
leadership by sharing knowledge, research and best practices about climate change
with our students and the public and accordingly will pursue responsible solutions to
address the climate change challenge”. The U of C is one of more than 25 Canadian
post secondary institutions signatories and nearly 700 American institutions that have
signed a similar declaration.
The U of C’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) identifies proposed actions for reducing
operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; underscores institutional leadership in
research and teaching within energy, environment and climate change related fields;
and highlights growing momentum in related student leadership.
The 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report provides an overview perspective.
Details of the summarized initiatives can be found in the full 2010 Climate Action
Plan. The university will produce periodic CAP updates to reflect progress made
toward reducing operational GHG emissions and continued advancements in teaching,
research, student leadership and partnerships aimed at finding solutions to the
climate change challenge.
Operations
The CAP identifies actions to reduce GHG emissions in the each of the following three
categories as compared to a 2008-09 GHG emission inventory.
· Built Environment Emissions
· Transportation Emissions
· Purchasing (paper) and Organic Waste Emissions
The associated emission reduction potential of these actions confirms absolute
reductions from the baseline despite institutional growth and the potential for
emission expansion resultant from increased building area, consumption and
transportation. Additionally, actions in operations will be supported by outreach and
engagement programs.
Based on the cumulative impact of the identified actions the CAP confirms viable
institutional GHG emission reduction targets as follows:
· 45% by 2015
· 60% by 2020
· 80% by 2050
These targets align with recently established targets by other leading universities and
municipalities across North America.
U of C – Stepping Up Together ON
 University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

500000 The U of C educates future teachers,

GHG Emissions (metric tonnes CO2e)

450000 researchers, designers, engineers,

400000
45% 60% 80%
corporate CEOs and political leaders.
350000
It will provide students with the
300000
250000
knowledge and skills needed to find
200000 solutions to climate change.
150000
100000
50000
0
2014
2008
2010
2012

2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2026
2028
2030
2032
2034
2036
2038
2040
2042
2044
2046
2048
2050
Fiscal Year
Total U of C Emissions
Built Environment Emission Reductions
Transportation Emission Reductions
Paper Purchasing & Organic Waste Emission Reductions
Other TBD Emission Reductions

This wedge analysis shows the projected growth in institutional GHG emissions from
a 2008 baseline through 2050, and the GHG reduction potential from defined actions
that address Built Environment emissions, Transportation emissions, and Purchasing
(Paper) & Organic Waste GHG emissions.

Teaching & Research

Alan Harrison, vice-president (academic)
The U of C is uniquely positioned to be a North American leader in catalyzing & provost and Jon Meddings, interim
solutions for climate change and has established a critical mass of faculty active vice-president (research)
in energy, environment, and other fields related to climate change. Teaching and
research addressing climate change supports the principles of the U of C Academic
Foundations and its Sustainability Policy.

15 faculties offer more than 200 sustainability related courses, providing learning
opportunities through both formal curriculum and experiential learning. There are also
several degrees, minors, specializations and concentrations related to sustainability,
and more specifically to energy and environment.

Sustainability of energy and environment has been identified as a research strength

across the university in the U of C’s Strategic Research Plan. Energy & Environment
was designated as one of 3 Institutional Research Development Priorities.

The programs that comprise this area are forming interdisciplinary research teams
in collaboration with the best researchers and universities in Canada and the
world, confirming the U of C’s commitment to interdisciplinary research in Academic
Foundations.

Student Leadership
Over a dozen student groups on campus have shown leadership in addressing Lauren Webber, president of the
climate change, demonstrating impressive student initiative in finding solutions to Students’ Union & James Lange,
sustainability issues on campus and beyond. president of the Graduate Students’
Association
Student groups provide learning and development opportunities, enabling students to
connect classroom lessons to practical experiences. To support these activities, the
U of C, in partnership with the Students’ Union, recently launched the Co-Curricular
Record, which formally recognizes students co-curricular involvement. To date, over
6000 students have registered.

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U of C – Stepping Up Together ON 3
University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report OPERATIONS

Total 08/09 GHG Emissions Built Environment

Total 08/09 GHG Emissions
Paper
U of C is targeting both energy supply and building energy Purchasing
demand& in order to reduce
Transportation Organic Waste
GHG emissions associated
Emissions with the built environment.
Emissions
Built Transportation 21%
1%
Environment Emissions The U of C’s current energy supply consists of electrical power, natural gas, propane,
Emissions 21% and steam. As a result of Alberta’s electricity grid being predominantly coal fired
78% generation, purchased electricity made up 48% of the University of Calgary’ total
Built
greenhouse gas emissions in 2008/2009. Combustion of natural gas and propane
Paper Environment
Purchasing &
made up a further 15%, while steam and transmission & distribution
Emissions losses made up
Organic Waste another 10% and 5% respectively. 78%
Emissions
1% The 2008 Energy Mapping Study in Calgary confirmed the U of C has one of the
highest energy intensities in Calgary. Energy conservation measures in existing
buildings provide the greatest opportunity for reducing energy intensity and GHG
Paper
Total 08/09 GHG Emissionsthe same time, limiting emissions growth from new buildings is
emissions. At
Purchasing & essential. Though energy use intensity of existing buildings associated with heating,
Organic Waste cooling, ventilation and lighting of buildings has declined over recent years, overall
Emissions energy use has continued
Built to rise due to increased demand from data centres and plug
1% loads. Environment
Emissions
78%

U of C spends about $28 Fossil Fuel Energy

million a year to heat, cool,Transportation

Emissions
ventilate, power and provide water21%
to 86 buildings: enough electricity
and gas to power and heat
20% of 2050 reductions
While energy from fossil fuels will continue to meet much of institutional and societal
energy needs for the foreseeable future, the U of C has identified a number of
short and long term strategies to reduce emissions from fossil fuel energy. These
strategies also reduce operating costs and generate potential research and teaching

14,500 Canadian opportunities.

homes for a year. Fossil Fuel Energy actions include:

• Retrofit of the Central Heating and Cooling Plant (CHCP) to cogeneration or
Combined Heating and Power (CHP) technology. Cogeneration uses natural gas
fired turbines to produce cleaner and less expensive power, while recovering
waste heat for use on campus.

• Investigate supplying energy to Main Campus through low or no emission district

energy utility on the new West Campus.

• Investigate the feasibility of using lower emission energy sources from waste
recovery for the CHCP (i.e. gasification of organic waste) to reduce reliance on the
combustion of purchased natural gas.

The CHCP retrofit, complete in

“Co-generation will reduce
2011, will save an estimated emissions from energy supply.”

$3.5 million
in energy costs and
80,000 metric
tonnes of GHGs every year. • Murray Sloan, senior manager,
energy & utilities

• Keith Altenhof, chief engineer,

central heating and cooling plant

4 Sustainability
U of C – Stepping Up Together ON
OPERATIONS University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

Renewable Energy

1% of 2050 reductions
Using renewable energy – a naturally replenished resource such as sunlight, wind,
rivers or geothermal heat – presents another opportunity for the U of C to reduce GHG
emissions and increase energy independence.

U of C is ideally situated in the heart of the energy sector to be a test bed for
innovation in renewable energy technologies and a living laboratory for advanced R&D
and teaching.

Though It is not yet economically viable for large on-site generation, advancements in
renewable energy technologies might change this.

Renewable Energy Actions include:

• Lead in developing alternative energy technology and education by employing Undergraduate chemistry student Lisa
campus based alternative energy technologies and utilizing the campus as a living Szabo is conducting research on using
laboratory for research and learning. organic molecular materials to make
more effective solar cells.
• Provide 0.5% of total building based energy demand from site based renewable
energy by 2015, and 1% by 2020.

• Develop public and private sector partnerships to accelerate financing and

technology development and transfer.

• Lead in developing related public policy and regulations that will facilitate further
advancements in renewable energy.
Calgary has over
• After prioritizing funding to projects that reduce energy demand and produce no/
low emissions energy, consider the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates
(RECs).
2,400 hours
of annual sunshine. As one of
the sunniest cities in Canada,
Calgary is ideally suited to
generate solar energy.

A photovoltaic array on
the exterior of the LEED
Platinum Certified Child
Development Center produces
65,000 kWh
Curtis Burlinguette, the Canada
annually; enough to
Research Chair in Energy power 6 average Canadian
Conversion, is one of many homes for a year
researchers at the U of C
developing renewable energy
technologies.

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U of C – Stepping Up Together ON 5
University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report OPERATIONS

Energy Performance Initiative GHG Existing Buildings

reductions:
1996-2002 Phase I
27% of 2050 reductions
Existing buildings represent the single greatest contributor to greenhouse gas
8,100 metric tonnes CO2e emissions at the U of C, and were the source of 78% of total GHG emissions in fiscal
year 2008/09. They therefore also have the potential to realize significant reductions
2005-2011 Phase II in GHG emissions. Campus building range in age from 1950 to 2009 and many of
29,500 metric tonnes CO2e them need energy performance retrofits which will yield significant reductions in energy
use and GHG emissions.
2011-2025 Phase III & IV The U of C’s Energy Performance Initiative (EPI) is a multi-phase initiative intended
54,000 metric tonnes CO2e to increase the energy performance of existing buildings on campus and reduce
operating costs.

EPI Phase I focused on upgrades to lighting and HVAC across operations, resulting
in $1 million of annual savings and an annual reduction of 8,100 metric tonnes of
GHG emissions.

EPI Phase II (completion 2011) includes a number of further improvements to building

systems, and will result in an annual GHG savings of 29,500 metric tonnes of GHG
emissions, and an annual cost savings of approximately $2.5 million.

Total projected annual avoided EPI Phase III actions: low and no capital cost initiatives that
emissions from all Phases: 91,600 generate immediate GHG reductions and utility budget savings:
MT CO2e, equivalent to the CO2 • Work with faculties, residences and other operating units to develop common

4,230,000
sense approaches for saving energy; simple measures such as adjusting the
absorbed by hours of operation in buildings and consolidating locations of after-hours classes
and activities.
trees each year. • Building occupant engagement program: SustainabilityON will provide training and
resources to help departments identify and take actions to reduce energy use and
improve measures toward other institutional sustainability objectives.

• Share utility information: provide shadow billing and dashboards to budget

units to raise awareness of their proportional share of energy consumption and
greenhouse gas emissions.

• Establish an Energy Efficiency Fund (EEF) as a revolving financing strategy for

advancing institutional energy efficiency. Pool savings from energy efficiency
initiatives for reinvestment into further energy efficiency projects with a specified
return on investment.

Changing building HVAC system

“We are working with faculties to
operating hours alone could reduce optimize HVAC system operating

operating costs by $1 hours.”

million a year.
• Shelley O’Brien, director,
operations & maintenance

• Tom Humphries, building

management system administrator

6 Sustainability
U of C – Stepping Up Together ON
OPERATIONS University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

EPI Phase IV actions: targeted building systems upgrades:

• Complete Building Performance Audits (BPAs).

• Analysis & Planning: investigate energy use of existing building heating,

ventilating, cooling and power systems. Benchmark performance data to
establish energy performance targets.

• Prioritize: multi-year suite of energy efficiency projects that leverage the greatest
improvements.

• Complete infrastructure upgrades based on prioritized outcomes of the BPAs.

Implement a series of projects including improvements to building lighting and
HVAC controls, HVAC component upgrades, lighting, building envelops, etc.

• Implement an ongoing re-commissioning program to optimize energy performance.

• Install energy efficient outdoor LED lights.

“The Energy Performance Initiative

reduces emissions and reduces
costs.”

• Murray Sloan, senior manager,

energy & utilities
• Mike Rogers, director,
infrastructure maintenance

New Buildings New Building energy

23% of 2050 reductions performance standards:

As new buildings are added on campus, total energy demand will increase. It is critical 2015: 70% reduction
to construct new buildings to the highest possible energy performance standards to in GHG emissions
mitigate the increase in energy consumption since new buildings are not generally
retrofitted for energy performance for 25-30 years. 2020: 80% reduction
New buildings actions include: in GHG emissions
• Design buildings to increasingly stringent energy performance standards to
achieve reductions in GHG emissions and costs related to the operation of 2050: Carbon neutral
buildings. (beginning 2030)
• Implement a Project Delivery Model (PDM) to guide internal design and assist
facilities and project management staff in realizing cost effective and energy Over their life cycle, high performance
efficient new buildings. green buildings are a superior
investment and they present
“The U of C is advancing strategies
for high performance green
invaluable teaching and research
buildings.” opportunities.

Jim Love, Chair in Sustainable

Building Technologies

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U of C – Stepping Up Together ON 7
University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report
IT power consumption is doubling
every 5 years.
Virtualization: running multiple
servers on a single piece of hardware
can reduce space, cooling, and power
requirements on a 20:1 scale.
8
OPERATIONS
Data Centres + Plug Loads
3% of 2050 reductions
As more data centres and computers are added to keep up with the demand
of the campus population’s storage of data, the energy required to run these devices
increases as well. Energy demand from data centres and desktop computing has
doubled in the past five years, and will continue this exponential growth in the absence
of change. Other plug loads such as laboratory equipment are similarly expanding.
Data Centre actions include:
• Develop a comprehensive IT strategic plan for energy optimization and GHG
emissions reductions at the U of C.
• Use Energy Management Software to collect data on server energy use, assess
the efficiency of servers and determine which computing facilities should be
continued or consolidated to increase cooling and power use efficiency.
• Implement new power management systems to increase server energy efficiency.
• Use free cooling when available to offset air conditioning and compressor
operation.
• Through virtualization, run multiple servers on a single piece of hardware to
reduce space, cooling, and power requirements on a 20:1 scale.
Plug Load actions include:
• Develop a strategic plan for energy optimization of desktop computing devices.
• Implement centralized energy management software to consolidate power
configuration settings of desktop computers and shut down inactive workstations.
• Centralize the processing capacity of computers in Data Centres to reduce the
power draw of desktop computing (i.e. thin client computing)
• Require all new equipment to be at least Energy Star compliant, establish a
strategy to phase out low energy efficiency appliances and establish an operating
standard that limits the use of personal heating and cooling devices and prohibits
incandescent lamps.
• Develop an energy efficient alternative to individual freezers and refrigerators in
laboratory research.
“Energy savings may be achieved
by reducing the number and age of
refrigerators used for research.”
Glen Armstrong, department head
of Microbiology and Infectious
Diseases at the Faculty of Medicine
Sustainability
U of C – Stepping Up Together ON
OPERATIONS University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

Outreach & Engagement 330 people

In addition to technical and operational solutions, strategies to promote changes in took part in the 2010
the everyday behavior of students, faculty and staff are also necessary. Everyday
decisions provide opportunities to increase energy efficiency, shift commuting choices, Commuter Challenge, avoiding over
reconsider procurement choices and reduce the U of C’s overall emissions. 24,000 kms of vehicle commuting
The U of C has a strong outreach and engagement foundation to build upon and in just one week and preventing 9
will continue to evolve a range of tools and strategies aimed at promoting broad metric tonnes of GHG emissions.
participation through showcasing institutional and individual climate action (and
sustainability) initiatives and providing necessary information and resources.

Under the brand “Sustainability ON – U of C Stepping Up Together” the following

actions are aimed at building recognition of the campus community’s individual and
collective capacity to make change happen.

Outreach & Engagement actions include:

• Evolve the U of C sustainability website as a comprehensive and up-to-date

source of institutional climate action initiatives in teaching, research, service and
campus operations. Include interactive social media options (ie. Twitter), active
media (ie. videos), and cross institutional perspectives.

• Publish regular stories through campus media options (UToday, U Magazine,

Research in Action, student media, etc.) showcasing climate action initiatives
within research, teaching, service and campus operations.

• Share similar information with relevant external media focusing on local,

provincial, and North American opportunities to highlight leadership and share
best practices.
“The SustainabilityON coordinators
• Continue expanding the subscription rate to the U of C Green Bulletin, a bi- program provides resources to help
monthly e-blast that provides links to climate action and sustainability news on people take action.”
campus, tips, opportunities for involvement, and more.

• Continue evolving relevant on-campus signage to effectively communicate and

Anna Nowaczyk, programs and
highlight institutional strengths and opportunities for the campus community communications coordinator in
to affect change. Implement a campus sustainability tour that highlights best the Office of Sustainability with
practice on campus. SustainabilityON Coordinators

• Evolve and expand the Eco-Representative Pilot Program into an ongoing annual
SustainabilityON Coordinators Program. Provide training and resources to a
broad cross section of representatives from departments across campus and
from student residences. Provide engagement campaigns and competitions
to encourage actions to reduce the U of C’s GHG emissions through energy
use reductions, water use reductions, alternative commuting choices,
alternative procurement choices, and diverting organic material into composting
infrastructure, etc.

• Continue to build participation in the Sustainability Stewardship Working Group,

Cut the Carbs:
the Student Sustainability Street Team, SustainabilityON Coordinators Program,
and other project-related participation opportunities. In 2009 employees and students
powered down during the three
week Cut the Carbs Challenge
56.6 metric
to save
tonnes of GHG emissions.

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U of C – Stepping Up Together ON 9
 University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report OPERATIONS

Total 08/09 GHG Emissions

Paper
Transportation
Purchasing &
Transportation Organic Waste
U of C’s transportation related emissions accounted for nearly 71,000 metric
Emissions
21%
Emissions tonnes CO2e in 2008/2009. These GHG emissions were the result of commuting,
1% institutionally financed travel, and fleet operations.

Built
Environment
Emissions
78%
Commuting

18% of 2050 reductions

G Emissions More than 90 percent of students, staff and faculty commute to campus every day.
The U of C has developed short term actions to reduce GHG emissions and has
Built identified external industry trends that will aid institutional emission reductions.
Environment Further GHG emission reduction opportunities and best practices will emerge as future
Emissions
78%
knowledge and technologies evolve.

Every day, there are more than Commuting actions include:

95,000 personal • Develop a transportation management strategic plan, and improved methods to
track commuter behaviour and transportation choices.

trips to and from campus. • Expand existing programs and develop new initiatives including the ongoing
carpooling incentive program and the newly relaunched carshare service.

• Develop infrastructure to encourage people to use public transit, walk, or cycle,

such as the planned bike shelters and transit shelters.

• Expand student and staff housing opportunities on and near campus to reduce
commuting.

• Work with Calgary Transit to enhance public transit services including frequency of
service, routes, transit capacity, and transit shelters.

U of C commuting actions will result

in a reduction of 92,000 metric “Transportation demand
management programs reduce
tonnes of GHG emissions annually emissions from commuting.”
by 2050. Equivalent to the CO2
absorbed by 4,248,000
trees.
Susan Austen, director of parking
& transportation services

10 Sustainability
U of C – Stepping Up Together ON
OPERATIONS University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

Institutionally Financed Travel (IFT) In 2008/2009, U of C was

responsible for more than
5% of 2050 reductions 34,900,000
kilometres of
The U of C directly finances travel – by air, train, bus, and vehicle – for business,
education, and sports. While sports teams and study abroad programs do not have
alternatives to travel, travel offsets can be purchased to mitigate the associated
GHG emissions. Other education and business travel can be reduced by using air travel and
teleconferencing and e-technologies, as well as through offsets.
IFT actions include:
4,140,000
• Develop a tracking and monitoring system for air, train, bus and vehicular travel as kilometres of vehicle
well as a strategic plan and institutional targets for reducing GHG emissions and travel.
IFT costs.

• Develop IFT guidelines that promote opportunities for audio/video or web

conferencing; and purchasing of travel offsets.

• Purchase offsets through a central program that ensures high quality offsets, and
that allows pooling of offsets for greater institutional impact.

“Communication technologies are

providing alternatives to travel
that will help reduce related
emissions.”

Joanne Carruthers, e-learning

coordinator for the Teaching &
Learning Centre

Fleet Idle-Free U of C encourages

<1% of 2050 reductions 20,000

more than
The U of C operates a fleet of 156 vehicles which consume gasoline, diesel and
propane that contribute to GHG emissions. Currently, the size of the fleet is not
motorists on campus
centrally managed. Reducing GHG emissions associated with operating the fleet,
to turn off their engine while
which also provides secondary benefits such as decreased fuel costs and improved parked. If everyone reduced
campus and regional air quality.
their time spend idling by just
Fleet actions include: 1 minute, more than
• Develop a planning and monitoring system to help identify inefficient fleet vehicle
operation and use. 1 metric tonne of
GHG would be saved daily.
• Implement fleet maintenance program, replace fleet vehicles with higher fuel
efficiency and alternative fuels vehicles, and reduce overall size of fleet.

• Introduce Idle-Free program to discourage vehicle idling on campus.

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U of C – Stepping Up Together ON 11
 Paper Environment
Purchasing & Emissions
Organic Waste 78%
Emissions
University of
1%
Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report OPERATIONS

Paper
Total 08/09 GHG Emissions Purchasing (Paper) & Organic Waste
Purchasing &
Organic Waste In 2008/2009, the University of Calgary’s total paper purchasing & organic waste
Emissions Built
1% Environment related emissions were 2,700 metric tonnes CO2e. During 2008/2009, the U of C
Emissions consumed 195 metric tonnes of paper, and diverted over 700 metric tonnes of both
78%
paper and cardboard from the landfill.

Transportation
Emissions
21% Paper Purchasing

<1% of 2050 reductions

U of C’s academic departments, operations, business units, print shop, and bookstore
From 2006 to 2009, U of C reduced purchased 195 metric tonnes of paper in 2008/2009 from preferred suppliers.
its paper consumption from Currently there is voluntarily migration toward using 30% and 100% Post-Consumer

72 to 56 million
(PC) recycled paper.
Paper Purchasing actions include:
sheets, saving enough paper • Negotiate a permanent volume discount on 30% PC recycled content paper and
mandate 30% PC recycled paper as minimum standard across campus by 2012.
to stack higher than 8 Calgary
towers. • Negotiate volume discount on 100% PC recycled content in anticipation of
mandating as minimum standard by 2015.

Organic Waste
Waste Diversion Goal
80% by 2020 <1% of 2050 reductions
The U of C generated over 1750 metric tonnes of organic waste in 2008/2009, which
has the potential to generate methane, a greenhouse gas that is 21 times more
potent than carbon dioxide. The U of C can reduce these GHG emissions by increasing
the diversion of organic content, paper, and cardboard from the waste stream.

In 2008/09, the U of C diverted Organic Waste actions include:

5,700
more than half of its • Develop a Recycling and Solid Waste Management Plan

metric tonnes of solid • Develop and install comingled recycling and organic waste collection units
throughout campus.
waste from the landfill. • Evaluate the viability of gasification of organic waste to produce alternative energy
in conjunction with the development of energy infrastructure for
West Campus.

• Complete rollout of pre- and post-consumer food waste composting program.

“Reducing paper use, expanding recycling and composting

programs all impact our institutional emissions.”

• John Orpe, senior procurement specialist in Supply Chain

Management (right)

• Doug Wilson, manager, grounds and motor pool (left)

12
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U of C – Stepping Up Together ON
TEACHING & RESEARCH University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

Teaching + Research With a critical mass of

Located in the energy capital of Canada, the University of Calgary is ideally positioned researchers in energy,
to be a leader in addressing climate change through its teaching and research. Over
200 courses in sustainability, many of which that cover climate change, are offered
environment, and other
to students. In addition degree programs, minors, concentrations and specializations climate change related
related to energy & environment are also offered. Sustainability of energy and
environment is identified as a research strength in the Strategic Research Plan,
fields, U of C is uniquely
and the programs in this area are forming interdisciplinary groups with the best positioned to be a North
researchers and universities in Canada and the world.
American leader in
Faculties: mitigating GHG emissions.
Faculty of Environmental Design (EVDS)
Climate change is a core component of teaching and research at EVDS. Twenty-four
courses are offered relating to sustainability research topics address green house gas
emission reduction and responses to climate change.

· Master of Architecture courses cover best practices for reducing green house gas
emissions in the built environment.

· In the Master of Environmental Design program, this year’s seminar theme is

Energy and Society which includes discussions on climate change as it relates to
the built environment.

· The proposed Masters of Environmental Design will have a strong focus on

environmental planning including planning for low carbon communities and
adaptation to climate change.

One of the Faculty’s six core research areas entitled “Sustainable Development and
Design” includes a variety of research topics that address green house gas emission
reduction and responses to climate change.
Getachew Assefa, Athena Chair in Life
Faculty of Law Cycle Assessment

The Faculty of Law is internationally recognized in resources, energy and environmental

law, offering 21 courses in this specialization and facilitating research through the
Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Research group (NREELR). NREELR
coordinates interdisciplinary collaboration and engages related institutions, the legal
professions and the community.

To advance research and education in these areas, the faculty is developing the
Centre for Resources, Energy and Environmental Law (CREEL) to serve as an umbrella
for a range of existing programs and new Faculty initiatives in this critical legal field.
This includes graduate programs, new chairs, research, scholarship, visiting scholars
and speakers, a clinical environmental law program and continuing legal education.

Nigel Bankes, Chair of Natural Resources

Law

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University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report
Frances Bowen, director of the
International Resource Industries and
Sustainability Centre (IRIS)
Patrick Hettiaratchi, professor in the
Schulich School of Engineering
Viola Birss, Canada Research Chair in
Materials for Fuel Cells and Related
Energy Applications
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TEACHING & RESEARCH
Haskayne School of Business
Haskayne’s MBA program is ranked second in Canada for the integration of
environmental and social issues, and its undergraduate programs were rated third.
Haskayne offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs related to
sustainability including:
· The Global Energy Executive EMBA program, for high potential executives, delivers
five core modules including one on climate change, sustainability, and renewable
energy.
· The Corporate Social Responsibility Sustainable Development Program is offered
to all Bachelor of Commerce students.
· A MSc. In Sustainable Energy Development is an interdisciplinary program taught
in conjunction with Schulich School of Engineering, Faculty of Environmental
Design and Faculty of Law.
· The Global Energy Management and Sustainable Development (GEMS) MBA
prepares students for decisions and planning within the global energy industry
and covers management processes of particular significance to energy
enterprises.
Haskayne’s International Resource Industries & Sustainability Centre (IRIS) researches
state-of-the art innovative management practices and their impacts on societal issues,
both environmental and social. The development and implementation of successful
climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies is one of its research priorities.
Schulich School of Engineering
Schulich is rated first in Canada out of 36 schools for initiatives related to social
and environmental impact management. Students are offered undergraduate and
graduate specializations related to sustainability through the Centre for Engineering
Research and Education (CEERE). One program offering is the Energy and Environment
undergraduate specialization, which provides students with knowledge of direct and
indirect environmental impacts of energy and energy related activities. At the graduate
level, an Environmental Engineering specialization is offered, which provides a multi-
disciplinary education in the areas of energy, climate, greenhouse gas emissions,
climate change, and sustainable development.
CEERE’s research efforts related to climate change include emissions of greenhouse
gases and their mitigation, energy and material footprints and their minimization,
lifecycle analysis of materials and products, development of advanced, sustainable
and eco-friendly materials for different applications, biomass/waste to energy, and the
development of renewable energy technologies.
Science
The Faculty of Science offers an inter- and multi-disciplinary educational experience
through a number of programs and courses. The Environmental Science Program
(offered in conjunction with the Faculty of Arts) emphasizes learning in a
multidisciplinary setting to understanding environmental issues facing society. Another
program offering is the Natural Sciences Program, which provides a broad, multi-
disciplinary education, including an Energy Science concentration. This concentration
examines trends in alternative energy and how they can become viable sources of
energy for the future. Furthermore, the Faculty of Science offers a total of 63 courses
related to sustainability.
The Faculty of Science has research focuses in the areas of clean and efficient use of
energy resources as well as exploring the environment and mitigating human impacts.
Eighteen Science researchers and numerous on- and off-campus collaborators are
involved in some 22 projects related to sustainability issues.
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TEACHING & RESEARCH University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

Institutes:
Arctic Institute of North America (AINA)
The institute advances the study of the North American and circumpolar Arctic through
the natural and social sciences, the arts and humanities. AINA acquires, preserves
and disseminates information on physical, environmental and social conditions in the
North.

Recent and current projects have looked at aboriginal communities and governance,
the effects of climate change on marine life in the Beaufort Sea, and the economic
and political impacts of the melting Northwest Passage being used as an international
shipping route for the first time.

Canadian Institute for Resources Law (CIRL) Benoit Beauchamp, executive director of
the Arctic Institute of North America
CIRL is the leading national centre of expertise on legal and policy issues relating to
Canada’s natural resources. The institute currently has several ongoing projects such
as:

An analysis of the legal and regulatory treatment of carbon capture storage in North
America for Natural Resources Canada

A multi-module study supported by the Alberta Law Foundation on the legal and
non-legal policy framework for alternative energy in Alberta, including modules on wind
power and renewable energy in Alberta, the regulation of wind power, and another on
the fundamental rights and duties with respect to sources of renewable energy with
particular focus on solar energy.

Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment + Economy (ISEEE)

ISEEE launched in 2003 to provide strategic leadership for initiatives in Energy and
Environment. ISEEE works in partnership with and support of Faculties and Schools
at the U of C, including the Schulich School of Engineering, Haskayne School of
Business, the Faculties of Science, Law, Environmental Design, and Social Sciences,
and the School of Public Policy.

ISEEE offers the Energy and Environmental Systems (EES) interdisciplinary graduate Bob Page, TransAlta Professor of
Environmental Management and
specialization, open to students in research based programs (MSc/PhD) in any one
Sustainability
of ISEEE’s partner Faculties and Schools. In addition to the requirements of their
home graduate program, students complete four core EES courses, including a Project
Course which provides an experiential learning opportunity as they work together on
project teams to respond to a specific real-world problem for an external client.

The four key research priorities that ISEEE is leading or engaged in are:

· Low-emission Hydrocarbon Recovery and Processing

15 faculties offer more than
· North American Energy Systems 2030+
200 sustainability
related courses with
· Sustainable Energy Development in the Arctic

· Low-carbon Communities

ISEEE is also growing its Energy and Environmental Systems Group, the U of
several degree offerings,
C’s academic unit for interdisciplinary research and teaching/training in energy, minors, specializations and
environment & economy. concentrations related to
ISEEE’s community outreach/service activities include its popular ISEEE Distinguished energy & environment.
Speaker Series, the EES Group Seminar Series, the new ISEEE Experts Series of
breakfast talks aimed at the downtown business audience.

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University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report student leadership

Student Leadership
Student leadership on issues related to mitigating climate change is demonstrating
real, measurable progress. Robust student leadership is essential for the university
to be a leader in addressing climate change. To date, over 6000 students have
registered for the Co-Curricular Record, launched in 2008 to support experiential
learning and formally recognize student involvement outside of the classroom.

Students’ Union (SU)

The Students’ Union Sustainability Board (SUSB) advances sustainability as outlined
in the U of C Sustainability Policy. $85,000 is offered annually in support of student
based sustainability projects, such as Eat Dirt, a campus composting project. The SU
has implemented a number of climate change and sustainability related initiatives in
their operations, including installation of motion sensors on new light fixtures.
The Bike Root hosting a repair clinic

Graduate Students Association (GSA)

The GSA eliminates paper from their operations wherever possible (including
newsletters, award applications, health/dental claims), reduces energy consumption,
and recycles all possible waste streams.

“Robust student Bike Root Community Bicycle Shop

leadership is Launched in 2008, over 30 student volunteers operate the Bike Root for nearly 500
members. Services include a Bike Library bicycle lending program, bicycle repair
essential for and riding clinics, and access to shop space, tools, bicycle parts, and expertise.
The Bike Root’s mandate is to foster healthy lifestyles, a sense of community, and

the university environmental sustainability.

to be a leader Eat Dirt

in addressing In Fall 2008, students launched a pilot composting project on campus. Throughout
the year, volunteers collected organic waste from three food vendors and two post-

climate change.” consumer collection bins across campus. In the first three months alone, nearly 3,600
kgs of waste was diverted from the landfill. The success of the project led to a larger,
university-run pilot project, and in Fall 2010, the university rolled out of a campus wide
program.

Eco Club
Past event and initiatives include the annual Enviropalooza fair, the Eco-Living fair
at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, green living outreach programs for high
schools, e-waste recycling and a lending program for re-usable cutlery and platterware
in the MacEwan Students’ Centre food court.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB)

EWB runs awareness initiatives on Fair Trade, a certification with built-in environmental
standards. EWB harnesses the skills and creativity of the Canadian engineering
sector to find practical solutions and create opportunities for rural Africans in Zambia,
Malawi, Ghana and Burkina Faso to create positive change in their lives.

Faculty of Environmental Design Students’ Association (EVDS SA)

EVDS SA hosts BrownBag Sessions, monthly lunch hour sustainability discussions,
organizes a Sustainability in Action Crew to generate discussion on sustainability
within the faculty, and is developing an EVDS workshop booklet to promote health,
ISEEESA touring Chin Chute Wind Farm
safety, and sustainability.

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student leadership University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

Environmental Science Students’ Association (ESSA)

ESSA is an SU sanctioned club for members of the Environmental Science (ENSC)
program at the U of C. ESSA organizes fundraising events, coordinates volunteers for
causes around Calgary, provides academic mentoring, and sets up networking events.
ESSA hosts an Environmental Science Cafe where students meet in an informal,
professor-moderated setting to discuss topics in environmental management. ESSA
was involved with Eat Dirt, an initiative aimed to get more food businesses on campus
to compost pre-consumer organic waste.

Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment & Economy Students’

Association (ISEEESA)
ISEEESA partners with industry, faculty, and government to provide students with
opportunities to learn, explore, and act on issues related to a cleaner energy supply, a The Solar Car Team unveiling the
healthy environment and an efficient economy. ISEEESA organizes the monthly Energy Schulich Axiom
101 series, offers its own scholarship for sustainability leadership, and last year
hosted its 4th Annual Networking Dinner.

Save NRG
Save NRG Hosts campus-wide activities to communicate ideas of sustainability,
including a video screening and environmental educational, a poster campaign in the
U of C Dining Center, acoustic concert with music and free giveaways, and a playful
education event with the youth from U of C family housing. This residence committee
works towards lowering energy use and costs, increasing recycling, and raising
awareness about the student body’s environmental footprint.

Solar Car
The U of C Solar Car team designs and builds solar vehicles to compete in the World
Solar Challenge (WSC) and the North American Solar Challenge (NASC). In June 2010,
the team placed sixth overall in a 2000km race from Tulsa to Chicago. The U of C
Solar Team aims to educate the community about sustainable energy. The solar car
is an inter-disciplinary project through which students and faculty can work together in
supporting sustainable energy. The Solar Decathlon team’s SolAbode
on display at the National Mall in
Washington D.C.
Solar Decathlon Team
The U of C competes in the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, an international
competition to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective,
energy-efficient, and attractive. For the 2011 competition, this interdisciplinary group
is designing a home addressing health and safety, suitability, durability, ownership, and
high infrastructure costs in First Nations communities in Southern Alberta. In 2009,
the Calgary team place sixth out of 20 internationally chosen teams.

Urban Calgary Students’ Association (UrbanCSA)

The UrbanCSA facilitates student involvement in the local development and planning
process to help refocus urban development on sustainability. UrbanCSA addressed city
council regarding Secondary Suite bylaws which prevent higher density housing around
transit hubs, and is also developing a proposal that would improve mobility and transit
access for senior housing. UrbanCSA holds speaker sessions on topics such as urban
farming and public policy, and organizes field trips to locations such as the Drake
Landing Solar Community, and the Garrison Woods LEED Neighborhood Development
project.

UrbanCSA visiting the Drake

Landing Solar Community

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University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report student leadership

Contributors
Andrew Wallace Director, West Campus Development (Facilities Development)
Anil Mehrotra Interim Dean (Schulich School of Engineering)
Anna Nowaczyk Programs and Communications Coordinator (Office of Sustainability)
Benoit Beauchamp Executive Director (Arctic Institute of North America)
Bob Ellard VP (Facilities Management and Development)
Brandon Peterson Intern Sustainability Coordinator (Office of Sustainability) & Schulich School of Engineering
Brian Bates Manager, Operations and Production Control (Information Technologies)
Dave Miners Manager, Distribution Services (Supply Chain Management)
David Layzell Executive Director (Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment, and Economy)
Dominik Rozwadowski Intern Sustainability Coordinator (Office of Sustainability) & Haskayne School of Business
Doug Wilson Business Performance Manager (Facilities Management)
George Bourne Associate Dean (Science Education), Faculty of Science
Halley O’Byrne Mechanical Engineering Intern (Campus Engineering)
Jim Sawers Director, Campus Engineering (Facilities Development)
Joanne Perdue Director of Sustainability (Office of Sustainability)
John Brown Associate Dean, Research and Int’l (Faculty of Environmental Design)
John Orpe Senior Procurement Specialist, Supply and Service Procurement (Supply Chain Management)
Justin Brown Sustainability Coordinator (Office of Sustainability)
Mark Lowey Communications Director (Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment, and Economy )
Mike Rogers Director, Infrastructure Maintenance Program (Facilities Management)
Murray Sloan Energy and Utilities Engineer (Facilities Management)
Nancy Pollock-Ellwand Dean (Faculty of Environmental Design)
Owen Saunders Executive Director (Canadian Institute of Resources Law)
Shelley O’Brien Director, Operations and Maintenance (Facilities Management)
Steve Crowe Senior Financial Analyst, Financial and Management Reporting (Facilities Management)
Steve Dantzer Associate Vice-President (Facilities Development)
Steven Gasser Associate Vice-President (Facilities Management)
Susan Austen Director (Parking and Traffic Services)
Tom Seto Director, Infrastructure Services (Information Technologies)
Trisha Campbell Administrator (Arctic Institute of North America)

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University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

Contributors
Faculties, Institutes & Centres Student Groups
Arctic Institute of North America Bike Root Community Bike Shop
Canadian Institute for Resources Law Eat Dirt
Centre for Environmental Engineering Research and Education Eco Club
Faculty of Environmental Design Engineers Without Borders
Haskayne School of Business Environmental Design Student’s Association (EVDS SA)
Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment & Economy Environmental Science Student’s Association (ESSA)
International Resource Industries & Sustainability Centre Graduate Students’ Association
Faculty of Law Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment, and Economy
Students’ Association (ISEEESA)
Schulich School of Engineering
Save NRG
Faculty of Science
Students’ Union
University of Calgary Solar Car Team
Urban Calgary Students’ Association (UrbanCSA)

Thanks & Recognition

“The 2010 Climate Action Plan was made possible through the collective
contribution of the individuals and groups noted above. I would like to extend
acknowledgement and appreciation to all of the above for sharing their expertise
and for their demonstrated commitment to advancing the initiatives within
this plan. Thanks also to Justin Brown and Brandon Peterson for composing a
comprehensive plan from the many points of input.”

Joanne Perdue

Director of Sustainability

Back cover: The 2010 U of C Solar Team competing in the 2000 kilometre American Solar Challenge.
Photo credit: Merlin Nagel

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Sustainability ON
University of Calgary 2010 Climate Action Plan Summary Report

U of C – Stepping Up Together

To learn more about sustainability at the University of Calgary and to view

the Full and Summary Report versions of the Climate Action Plan online
visit www.ucalgary.ca/sustainability

ON
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U of C – Stepping Up Together