A ROADMAP FOR CLIMATE ACTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY: HIGHER EDUCATION CAMPUSES AS CLIMATE LEADERS

INTRODUCTION

As federal and provincial governments debate the viability of absolute emission reduction targets, universities and college across North America are steadfast on a voluntary movement to slash greenhouse gas emissions and model the way forward on climate action. These institutions are taking advantage of campus contexts that offer decentralized energy supply opportunities, district energy systems, large building portfolios, and research partnerships to leverage change. Higher education campuses are emerging as innovation hubs for the deployment of new technologies, policy development, best practices in portfolio scale building operating models, public-private partnership models and more.

Situated in the heart of the corporate oil and gas sector, the University of Calgary is one such innovation hub. To date, the University of Calgary has realized reductions equivalent to 35% of its 2008 main campus baseline emissions and approximately $7.4 million in annual cost avoidance. By 2016, the University of Calgary's 50th anniversary, the institution aims to attain a 45% reduction in emissions. Energy Innovation is one the research platforms supporting the University of Calgary's Eyes High strategy to become one of the top five research institutions in Canada by 2016. Operational innovation in the management of energy and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) is a corresponding initiative. This article overviews the strategies behind the progress to date within institutional operations.