WHY REDUCE GHG EMISSIONS AT UBC?

A ‘carbon footprint’ measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a person, organisation, event or product. At UBC, the most significant opportunities to reduce GHGs and demonstrate climate action leadership are in energy use, business travel, commuting, paper use and food.

In 2010, UBC adopted the most aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets amongst the world’s top 40 universities. The University aims to:

• Reduce GHG emissions to 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2015
• Reduce GHG emissions to 67 per cent below 2007 levels by 2020
• Reduce GHG emissions to 100 per cent below 2007 levels by 2050, at which point UBC will be a net positive energy producer

To meet our ambitious targets, we need staff, faculty and students to take an active role in reducing our carbon footprint by conserving energy, using more sustainable forms of transportation to get to and from UBC, reducing business travel and paper use, and advocating for sustainable food choices on campus.

HOW CAN MY DEPARTMENT HELP?

ENERGY

The energy used to operate UBC’s buildings (heating, cooling, lighting and plug loads) generates the majority of the University’s GHG emissions annually. In 2011, the use of natural gas, electricity and oil at UBC Vancouver produced approximately 61,995 tonnes of CO2-e emissions.

TAKE ACTION

• For ideas on how to reduce energy consumption in your department, visit the Energy Conservation Toolkit. Check out the simple, yet impactful, basic actions your department can take, and the recommended ongoing behaviours you and your colleagues can adopt over the long term.

TRANSPORTATION

UBC is the second largest commuter destination in Metro Vancouver. Daily commuting to and from campus produced 31,840 tonnes of CO2-e emissions in 2011. The good news is, we’ve more than doubled our transit ridership in the past decade, and we have 12,000 fewer cars coming to campus each day.

TAKE ACTION

• For sustainable transportation options offered at UBC, check out the Transportation Choices Toolkit.

PAPER

UBC is mandated to report emissions associated with paper consumption. Every year, UBC must demonstrate the steps we’re taking to reduce paper use on campus.

TAKE ACTION

• Find out how your department can reduce its paper use through the Paper Reduction Toolkit.

BUSINESS TRAVEL ALTERNATIVES

In 2006, flights purchased by UBC staff and faculty generated approximately 13,600 tonnes of GHG emissions. In 2011, faculty and staff air travel generated 19,700 tonnes of GHG emissions.

TAKE ACTION

• Whenever possible, use videoconferencing as an alternative to business trips - for short flights between UBC-V and UBC-O or UBC-V and UNBC, videoconferencing will save your department time and money - check out this cost comparison sheet for specific details.
• Contact Linda McIntyre at the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) to learn more about their videoconferencing services.

FOOD

GHG emissions from the agricultural sector are responsible for eight per cent of Canada’s total GHG emissions—and transportation and meat production are the biggest contributors of GHG emissions in our food system. At UBC, our food service providers are working with partners across campus, as part of the UBC Food System Project, to integrate more local and sustainable foods into their menus.

TAKE ACTION

• Encourage your colleagues to join the Meatless Monday movement. UBC is an easy place to go meat free on Mondays. UBC Food Service locations, AMS outlets, Agora Café and Sprouts all offer vegetarian or vegan soup and other options at lunchtime.
• Promote the UBC Farm to Fork Cookbook in your department. This resource promotes in season recipes from January to December, and introduces 12 local food champions on campus.
• Integrate sustainable food choices into your next catered event. Check out the Sustainable Catering Tool for ideas and links to on-campus caterers.

LEARN MORE

UBC Climate Action Plan
UBC Vancouver campus emissions - 2010
Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions