CANADORE COLLEGE
College Receives International Recognition - Gold

Canadore College is making deliberate and steady progress toward its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2031, focusing on campus operations, strategic planning, instruction, and research initiatives. In line with these efforts, the College is using the conclusion of SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Month Canada to provide an update on its ongoing actions to reach this objective.

Canadore College integrates the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals in all its activities. The UN adopted the goals in 2015 with the aim of ending poverty and setting the world on a path of peace, prosperity, and opportunity by 2030.

"There is no singular path to achieving carbon-neutrality or to realizing the 17 SDG outcomes and Canadore's whole team approach reflects that," said Shawn Chorney, Vice President Strategic Infrastructure, Indigenous and Learner Services. "We will fulfill our goals and commitments as a result of our collective approach to sustainable development through both big and small actions while keeping human development at the centre of our actions."

In 2024 Canadore College became the first Canadian post-secondary institution to have a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified forest. A 10-year forest management plan was developed to protect the 460 acres of forested land surrounding the College Drive Campus, and results of a carbon inventory show the College is closer to its 2031 goal.

"Canadore College is a proud signatory of the United Nations Sustainable Development Accord, as is the Canadore Students' Council, demonstrating our shared commitment to sustainability," said George Burton, President and CEO.

Other initiatives include:

• The reconstruction of the grow pod and the introduction of the Fresh Pod Market which will sell fresh produce to employees and students. The large grow pod will open later this spring;
• The installation of a cogeneration plant at the Commerce Court Campus. By capturing and repurposing the heat produced during electricity generation, cogeneration plants significantly increase energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions; and
• The replacement of the aging, low efficiency heating boilers at the Aviation Campus with high efficiency condensing boilers with a full automation control system. The new system will improve heating efficiency by capturing all the heat created by the boilers and by adding automated controls to ensure all the heat generated through the system is contained in the building at the right rate and times. The new system will reduce the overall heating requirements of the building by an estimated 25%.

Canadore participated in an audit by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) with a goal of achieving a bronze rating. The review consisted of a comprehensive, institution-wide assessment of Canadore's sustainability efforts, highlighting the impact on employees, students, and the community regionally, provincially, and nationally. The College surpassed its goal by attaining a gold STARS® rating.

"I am immensely proud to be a part of a gold-rated college," said Jesse Russell, Sustainable Development Project Manager. "With AASHE's framework guiding us, I am confident we can now surpass gold by 2031. This rating is a testament to our institution's unwavering commitment to its strategic plan."

"Today's announcements underscore the exceptional efforts of our staff and students, and the upcoming projects demonstrate our commitment to innovation and continued progress," said Russell. "It's exciting to celebrate a success, but we're still not carbon neutral. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, grow, and improve, and I'm confident we'll get there."

To learn more, visit:  Sustainable Canadore - Canadore College