1 — PURPOSE
Mount Allison has a strong tradition of innovation and leadership on environmental issues. However, the current state of the climate crisis demands that the University build on this tradition to reduce its carbon footprint. Doing this will pose unique challenges that will require an unprecedented degree of commitment and cooperation by the University community. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance and direction to address these challenges and to establish Mount Allison as one of North America’s leading universities in carbon reduction.
2 – POLICY
It is the University’s policy to concentrate its efforts in the three major areas responsible for most of the University’s emissions: Heating, Electricity and Transportation.
2.1 Heating
The University will make it a priority to decrease emissions resulting from the generation of heat for campus buildings. Strategies are to include:
- Switching to lower emission fuel sources (e.g. natural gas, biomass) as these become available and represent viable options;
- Implementing energy efficiency measures within University renovation projects;
- Using alternative energy sources (e.g. geothermal, passive solar) where these sources are appropriate in building construction, maintenance and renovation;
- Pursuing Green Globe certification for all major renovation and construction projects; and
- Working with students and employees to reduce the ambient temperature of buildings.
2.2 Electricity
The University will make it a priority to decrease emissions through a reduction of the use of fossil fuel sourced electricity. Strategies are to include:
- Purchasing green power through the New Brunswick power grid as it becomes available and represents a viable option;
- Retrofitting buildings with energy efficient lighting and motion sensor/timer/volt or power miser technology wherever it is reasonable to do so;
- Purchasing high efficiency model appliances and computer hardware; and
- Working with students and employees to reduce their use of electricity.
2.3 Transportation
The University will make it a priority to decrease emissions resulting from University-owned vehicles and University-approved travel. Strategies are to include:
- Reducing the number of university-owned vehicles where it is appropriate to do so;
- Replacing the existing fleet with low emission, alternative-fuel vehicles where it is appropriate to do so;
- Implementing a central accounting system that monitors travel distances and mode of all University expensed travel; and
- Working with students and employees to consider their use of University approved travel.
3 – FINANCE
The University will:
- Ensure that all renovation and new building projects incorporate alternative energy (geothermal, passive solar, etc) or highly efficient building construction techniques wherever it is appropriate to do so;
- Ensure that continued efforts at fundraising for building renewal/renovation and deferred maintenance to lessen energy consumption; and
- Establish a Green Evolving Fund using the savings that result from such projects. This fund will be used exclusively to pay for energy efficiency projects or portions of projects, and will be separate from the annual A&R budget.
4 — PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TARGETS
The Controller will collect information and report metrics and progress on emission reduction in the annual Review of Operations. The metrics to be considered for inclusion are:
- Fossil fuel use and emissions from fossil fuels consumed for heating purposes;
- Electricity use and emissions from annual electricity consumption;
- Emissions from University approved travel;
- Energy consumption and emissions per square foot; and
- Energy consumption and emissions per student and per employee.
The University will:
- Establish a baseline by April 30, 2010, for indicators noted above; and
- Establish interim targets by December 31, 2010, for goals and actions for 2012, 2015 and 2020 and other years to 2039.