Energy
Introduction
For most institutions, energy consumption is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, which cause global climate change. Implementing conservation measures and switching to renewable sources of energy can help institutions save money and protect them from utility rate volatility. Renewable energy may be generated locally and allow campuses to support local economic development. Furthermore, institutions can help shape markets by creating demand for cleaner, renewable sources of energy.
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From Frameworks to Practice: Identifying Sustainable IT Metrics for Higher Ed
- AASHE (MA)
- Central Washington University (WA)
- HP (CA)
- McGill University (QC)
The Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector’s growing carbon footprint and escalating electronic waste pose significant challenges to global sustainability efforts. Recent analyses estimate that ICT now contributes 2.1%–3.9% of global …
- Posted Feb. 4, 2026
- Videos & Webinars
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Transforming Campus Energy Infrastructure from Steam to Low-Carbon Energy at Humber Polytechnic
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
Project SWITCH is a campus-wide energy infrastructure transformation at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus that replaced a legacy steam-based heating system with a low-temperature hot water energy network designed to enable …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
- Case Studies
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Sustainable energy
- Mohawk College (ON)
Mohawk College Energy Systems Engineering Technology student, Madi, measures the energy captured by a solar panel on the roof of Mohawk College’s Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation. The Joyce …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
- Photographs
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Energy Efficiency
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
Between 2002–2003, when the first energy efficiency measures were implemented, and 2023–2024, the energy intensity of the Université de Sherbrooke’s buildings was reduced by 46%. This substantial decrease played a …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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York University - Aerial views of campus
- York University (ON)
York University - aerial views of campus
- Posted July 14, 2025
- Photographs
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How to Make the Most of your Sustainability Event
- AASHE (MA)
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
This webinar on “How to make the most of your Sustainability Event” will focus on learnings and successes based on a several weeks long Sustainability programme at UNBC that was …
- Posted Aug. 15, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Sustainable Energy and Building Technology (Advanced Diploma)
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
The unique program prepares graduates to examine, model and improve the energy and environmental performance of existing buildings; to support the design, construction and operation of new, sustainable buildings being …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Master of Sustainability: Energy Security (MSs)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
Master of Sustainability: Energy Security-The mission of the Energy Security stream is to empower a network of northern, Indigenous, remote, and career professionals through distance education and purpose-driven practical experience …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Community Energy Planning and Finance (Certificate)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
The Graduate Certificate in Community Energy Planning and Finance provides tools for planning and financing community renewable energy projects. This certificate can be taken as a standalone program or used …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Energy Transitions (Certificate)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
The Graduate Certificate in Energy Transitions is designed for professionals who seek to better understand how to navigate policy processes for transitioning to renewable energy. This certificate can be taken …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Carbon neutrality for the Université de Sherbrooke
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
Université de Sherbrooke redoubled efforts and achieved carbon neutrality in spring 2022, 8 years ahead of its 2030 target. Emissions reduction efforts include purchasing renewable natural gas, installing heat pumps …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Implementation of an ambitious energy efficiency program
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The Université de Sherbrooke has taken advantage of a period of growth from 2002-2003 to 2020-2021 to roll out an ambitious energy efficiency program on its campuses, aiming to reduce …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Energy efficiency : the Creative Studio
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
In the last 20 years, construction and major renovation projects of the Université de Sherbrooke have included high-performance energy efficiency measures that reduced the energy consumption of the buildings by …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
- Photographs
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Photovoltaic panel
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
With a capacity of 1 MW, the solar park of the Université de Sherbrooke is the largest dedicated to applied research in Canada. Photovoltaic panels are located in various places …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Solar Park
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
With a capacity of 1 MW, the solar park of the Université de Sherbrooke is the largest dedicated to applied research in Canada. Photovoltaic panels are located in various places …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
- Photographs
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Sustainable Lab Community Engagement Campaign
- McGill University (QC)
McGill University is working toward two ambitious sustainability targets: to become zero-waste by 2035 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. As one of the top research universities in Canada …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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McGill Sustainable Labs Guide
- McGill University (QC)
The McGill Sustainable Labs Guide contains a variety of actionable steps that lab users can take to make their lab operations more sustainable. Some of these practices can be applied …
- Posted Jan. 17, 2023
- Tools
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Energy Sustainability Engineering Technology
- Nova Scotia Community College (NS)
This program prepares students to meet the growing needs of employers in the rapidly expanding field of alternative energy, sustainability and energy systems management. Students are involved in energy auditing …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Energy Management Certificate
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The Sustainable Energy Management Advanced Certificate (SEMAC) program is a partnership between BC Hydro, FortisBC and BCIT, with initial funding support from the Natural Resources Canada – Office of Energy …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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UBC Sustainability Scholars Program
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
Since 2010, the creativity, skills and passion of close to 600 UBC graduate students in the Sustainability Scholars Program have made a positive impact on sustainability issues in the Vancouver …
- Posted May 20, 2022
- Case Studies
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Life Cycle Analysis in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting: Capturing the Whole Picture
- Polytechnique Montréal (QC)
Polytechnique Montréal produced what we believe is the most comprehensive carbon footprint reporting of any higher learning institution by using a life cycle analysis (LCA) approach. Many institutions have pledged …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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123 kW Rooftop Solar: Raithby House, Thornbrough, Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming
- University of Guelph (ON)
123 kW Rooftop Solar PV - Raithby House, Thornbrough, Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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Advancing Operational Climate Action During COVID-19: Perspectives from Global Research Universities
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Second Nature (MA)
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
The coronavirus pandemic has effected us all - changing the way our university campuses currently operate and will operate well into the future. And while universities continue to respond to …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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The intersection of sustainability and energy master planning: actionable carbon neutrality at Vassar college
- Ecosystem (QC)
- Vassar College (NY)
Energy master plan firms often spend months -- and sometimes years -- developing numerous technical solutions, simulations, and scenarios, without effectively engaging key stakeholders. As a result, it is hard …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan
- Brock University (ON)
With the issuance of this revised energy conservation and demand management plan (ECDM), Brock University is re-affirming its commitment to energy conservation and sustainable operations. The conservation and demand management …
- Posted Oct. 6, 2021
- Publications
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14 kW Installation at SW1 Gateway
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The Gateway building is a three storey 5,280-square-metre structure on the Burnaby campus. The building, which officially opened in November 2011, is a LEED Gold project, featuring numerous energy efficient …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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250 kW Solar Installation at Energy OASIS
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The Energy OASIS facility is comprised of: a 250 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) parking canopy paired with a 500 kWhr lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS); two DC Fast Charge …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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Action learning partnerships: carbon, commerce and community co-learning at a Canadian university
- Carbon Realities Consulting (BC)
- Prince George Chamber of Commerce (BC)
- University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss an innovative course offered as a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) (Canada), the Prince George Chamber …
- Posted May 28, 2021
- Publications
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SFU's Living Lab
- Simon Fraser University (BC)
SFU's Living Lab is an approach that facilitates sustainability-themed research at SFU by creating structured collaborations between staff, faculty and graduate students to achieve University commitments and strategic priorities. The …
- Posted April 30, 2021
- Case Studies
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Ontario Tech University - Solar Panels
- Ontario Tech University (ON)
Ontario Tech University’s long-established reputation as a post-secondary leader in conservation and green community-building has achieved a Gold rating from AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) in 2019, …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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Humber College - Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
The 93,000 sq. ft. Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation was opened. It is built to achieve LEED-Platinum certification (currently under review) and is a net-zero energy building, offset by solar …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Humber College - 700 KW solar array
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
Select photos of highlighting Humber College's Sustainability program, in relation to our STARS 2019 report, and for inclusion in 2020 SCI publication.
Opened in 2019, a new Commuter Hub (100 …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Humber College - Deep energy retrofit
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
- Morrison Hershfield (ON)
NX building retrofit project - Building NX at Humber College underwent a major retrofit to become one of the most energy efficient buildings in North America, while also claiming the …
- Posted Oct. 13, 2020
- Photographs
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Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems
- Concordia University (QC)
The Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems (CIWESS) trains students to be at the forefront of sustainable development practices. It promotes research into new systems, technologies and solutions …
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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First Net Zero Carbon Building certification for a retrofit in Canada: Humber College NX building
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
Located in the center of Humber’s North Campus in Toronto, Building NX has transformed from one of the campus’ most inefficient buildings, to an industry-leading example of zero carbon excellence. …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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BCIT Wood-Waste-to-Energy Project
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
In pursuit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, showcasing environmentally-sustainable projects for widespread use, and incorporating sustainability more broadly in curriculum, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has created a closed-loop …
- Posted May 15, 2020
- Case Studies
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Energy Systems Engineering Technology (Advanced Diploma)
- Mohawk College (ON)
Students will experience a unique new program introducing a multi-disciplinary approach that focuses on the generation, capture, storage, and distribution of clean and renewable energy and their integration with conventional …
- Posted Feb. 3, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Strategic Planning of Energy Retrofits That Drive Cutting Edge Projects in GHG Reductions
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
In 2014, Humber College (Toronto, Canada) faced a challenge familiar to many institutions. Despite years of incremental energy efficiency gains, large reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions remained …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Paper and Plug Load Energy Reduction: How Focusing on two Issues Broadened our Reach
- Red River College Polytechnic (MB)
In the current climate of fiscal restraint faced by many post-secondary institutions, it can be challenging for Sustainability Offices to advance their reach and impact with new programs and initiatives. …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Building Envelope Energy Performance Ranking & Archetype Energy Models: A Case Study
- Morrison Hershfield (ON)
The University of Victoria (UVic) is undergoing a capital planning process and commissioning a comprehensive building investigation to prioritize and plan envelope rehabilitation work across their portfolio, intending to incorporate …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Low Carbon Electrification
- Creative Energy (BC)
- Thompson Rivers University (BC)
As Institutions across North America continue to expand, they are struggling to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets due to the significant capital investments required for net zero construction. Many institutions …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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The Road to Building a Zero Carbon Building
- Mohawk College (ON)
In October 2016, Mohawk College broke ground on a one-of-a-kind net zero energy project and opened its doors in Fall 2018. The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation at Mohawk …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Strategic Electrification: Scenarios for How and Why Carbon Neutrality Depends on It
- Amherst College (MA)
- Carleton College (MN)
- GreenerU (MA)
- Introba (CA)
- Thompson Rivers University (BC)
More than 300 schools have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality at some point in the future through Second Nature's reporting platform. For nearly every school, carbon neutrality through means other …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Canada's colleges and universities among the greenest in the world
- AASHE (MA)
- Dalhousie University (NS)
- Mohawk College (ON)
- Nova Scotia Community College (NS)
- Thompson Rivers University (BC)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
CBC News shares the news that college and university campuses across Canada are some of the greenest schools in the world according to the 2019 Sustainable Campus Index.
- Posted Sept. 30, 2019
- Publications
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Sustainable Energy Development MSc
- University of Calgary (AB)
The University of Calgary’s Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Development (SEDV) is a combined offering through the Haskayne School of Business, Schulich School of Engineering and the Faculties of …
- Posted Aug. 2, 2019
- Academic Programs
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Mohawk College SCI submission 2
- Mohawk College (ON)
The Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation at Mohawk College is the first pilot project for The Canada Green Building Council® (CaGBC) Zero Carbon Building Program. This framework is Canada’s …
- Posted July 31, 2019
- Photographs
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Mohawk College SCI submission 1
- Mohawk College (ON)
The Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation at Mohawk College is the first pilot project for The Canada Green Building Council® (CaGBC) Zero Carbon Building Program. This framework is Canada’s …
- Posted July 31, 2019
- Photographs
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The University of Winnipeg's Biomass Heating System
- University of Winnipeg (MB)
This silo on UWinnipeg’s main campus stores pellets used in the school’s new biomass heating system. The system runs on locally-sourced wood pellets that are fed into two 100 kW …
- Posted July 29, 2019
- Photographs
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DESS in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
- École de Technologie Supérieure (QC)
This program totals 30 credits and has continuing education objectives. It is intended for engineers and professionals wishing to acquire advanced knowledge on the different types of renewable energy. They …
- Posted July 10, 2019
- Academic Programs
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Heritage building re-envisioned, modernized and integrated with a 21st-century addition to become an energy-efficient and sustainable living laboratory
- Royal Roads University (BC)
The $24.3M Sherman Jen Building (SJB), which opened to students in September 2018, was a renovation and re-visioning project that repurposed an underutilized, energy inefficient, 3,120 square metre heritage building …
- Posted May 20, 2019
- Case Studies
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
OP 5: Building Energy Efficiency
- Total performance year site energy consumption per unit of floor area
- Total performance year source energy consumption per unit of floor area
- Percent reduction in total source energy consumption per unit of floor area from baseline
- Description of initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency
- Description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution
- Description of LED lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies
- Description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies
- Description of co-generation employed by the institution
- Description of initiatives to replace energy-consuming equipment with high efficiency alternatives
- Website URL - Energy conservation and efficiency program
OP 6: Clean and Renewable Energy
- Percent of total energy consumption from clean and renewable sources
- Website URL - Clean and renewable energy programs
- Percent of electricity from coal
- Percent of electricity from geothermal
- Percent of electricity from hydro
- Percent of electricity from natural gas
- Percent of electricity from nuclear energy
- Percent of electricity from solar photovoltaic
- Percent of electricity from wind
- Percent of electricity from wind
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.