Welcome to the 2023/24 Sustainability Report
Message from our President
The NSCC annual Sustainability Report offers an important opportunity to share our progress on some of the College’s strategic priorities. Sustainability and climate action is critical for our future, and it is a responsibility we all share, whether we walk through NSCC’s doors as students or employees. The greater our commitment to this important work, the more resilient we will become.
Educational institutions have a vital role in delivering on sustainability initiatives. It is imperative that we lead by example on all fronts. We want to show our students – our next generation – that we are investing in their future. In 2020, NSCC was one of the first post-secondary institutions in Canada to sign the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Accord. With this signature, we pledged to embed the 17 goals in NSCC’s education, research, leadership, operations, administration and engagement activities. This report outlines progress towards the goals for this year. I am proud of the work that is summarized here, led by our dedicated and committed employees, efforts that will help NSCC lead the way to be net-zero by 2050.
Don Bureaux, NSCC President
Message from our Vice-President
I am pleased to present this report that showcases our progress on NSCC’s sustainability and climate action goals.
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System or AASHE STARS, is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. Last year we were STARS Gold certified. Our dedicated team is developing a College-wide Sustainability Plan that will serve as a roadmap towards our next major goal – to be STARS Platinum by 2026.
Significant highlights from this past year include:
- Launching our Climate Change Action Plan
- Accelerating initiatives across the College to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions
- Entering green power purchase agreements and expanding our renewable energy network – this includes 5 campuses now producing solar energy
- Assessing all campuses to manage risk and to adapt to changing weather patterns to protect our infrastructure and serve our communities in times of climate-related disasters
- Developing and delivering climate literacy micro-credentials to help our students prepare for the green economy
- Ensuring our new builds are designed and constructed to high standards. This includes: The new Sydney Waterfront Campus – which will be a showcase of energy efficiency and climate change resiliency. Three new student housing projects (at Akerley, Pictou (fall 2024) and Ivany (fall 2025)) are built to LEED Gold standards.
Together, NSCC can continue to lead by example, encourage innovation, and inspire the College community to make a lasting impact for generations to come.
Thank you for your ongoing support for NSCC’s shared vision of a sustainable future.
Anna Burke, Vice-President of College Services and Strategy