Welcome to the 2024/25 Sustainability Report
Message from our President
NSCC’s Annual Sustainability Report reflects our shared commitment as a College community to environmental responsibility, social equity, and sustainable growth. At a time when the global challenges of climate change and ecological degradation demand urgent and innovative action, our institution remains firmly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the pledge we made in 2021 to the SDG Accord. Of particular emphasis is Goal 13: Climate Action. This year has again been a stark reminder of the realities we are all facing as a result of climate change, with extreme weather events such as droughts and wildfires across Nova Scotia.
As a College, we have made climate action a strategic priority - integrating sustainability into our academic programming, operations, and campus culture. From reducing our carbon footprint and enhancing energy efficiency to expanding research and educational opportunities in climate science, we are preparing our students to be leaders on this front in a rapidly evolving world.
Higher education plays a vital role in advancing the green economy. Through partnerships with industry, investment in sustainable technologies, and the development of future-focused programs, we are equipping our students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in and help shape a low-carbon, climate resilient and sustainable future.
This report celebrates our achievements, acknowledges the challenges we face, and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to sustainability as both a moral and an educational imperative. We invite you to explore the progress we've made, and to join us on our journey toward a more just, resilient, and sustainable world.
Don Bureaux, NSCC President
Message from our Vice-President
I am pleased to present this year's annual report, which highlights the College’s progress on sustainability and climate action goals.
An important measure of our work includes the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System or AASHE STARS. This is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. Not only was the College an early adopter of the STARS system, but we have been STARS Gold certified since 2013. Our dedicated team has developed a College-wide Sustainability Plan that serves as a roadmap towards our next major goal – to earn a STARS Platinum designation by 2026.
Significant highlights from this past year include:
- Launching into the second year of our Climate Change Action Plan, our roadmap to reaching our climate goals – with the ultimate goal of being net-zero by 2050.
- Participating in the Green Choice Program. Under this program, we have committed to sourcing all the electricity NSCC consumes from renewable sources by 2028.
- Piloting a new Introduction to Sustainability Module, to be rolled out to all programs in 2026.
- Opening the doors to the new Sydney Waterfront Campus. This campus serves as a living lab to showcase sustainable and climate resilient best building practices to our College community and beyond. Successfully rolling out SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) Month Canada in March 2025. This included engaging with every campus to increase awareness and advance ideas to support the College’s commitment to the SDGs.
- Completion of Campus Climate Vulnerability Risk Assessments at all campuses to prepare for Nova Scotia’s changing climate.
- Opening the doors to Pictou, Akerley and Ivany student housing facilities, which were built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
Together, we can continue to lead by example, encourage innovation, and inspire the full 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