George Brown College (GBC) received Advocate level recognition from the City of Toronto's Green Will Initiative (GWI), marking a significant step in the institution's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Leading through action
GBC was recognized for its leadership in reducing emissions and promoting energy efficiency in Toronto. This achievement stemmed from several key initiatives, including sharing building performance data and actively participating in the GWI's collaborative events.
A notable highlight was the college's involvement in an energy treasure hunt at its Casa Loma campus, where experts from peer organizations identified potential energy-saving opportunities.
"We wanted to explore more partnerships and solidify our commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency throughout the city," explains Matthew Archdekin, Energy Management Specialist. "This also provides us with a group of peers that could help us avoid challenges and learn some lessons from early adopters."
The GWI brings together building owners and operators across the city to collaborate on sustainability efforts, and GBC's participation underscores its commitment to advancing improved energy management practices.
A comprehensive approach to sustainability
The college is currently developing an Integrated Energy and Water Master Plan (IEWMP) aimed at achieving specific net-zero targets. "The Green Will initiative and our participation is very much aligned with the larger strategy for sustainability at GBC in alignment with our values and goals," says Mary Livera Ranaweera, GBC's Director of Sustainability.
While the college's newer buildings, such as the Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences and Limberlost Place, have been designed with sustainability and carbon reduction in mind, the older structures necessitate different strategies to reduce their environmental footprints. The sustainability team has implemented building-level metering throughout main campus buildings, with the St. James campus nearing the completion of comprehensive utility metering.
"We are creating efficiency through projects such as the energy treasure hunt as a complement to our capital project work," notes Hooman Farhangnia, Senior Manager of Energy and Engineering.
Participation in the Green Will Initiative has provided professional development benefits beyond environmental improvements. The college has gained access to valuable training programs through the Canadian Institute of Energy Training (CIET), including courses in energy engagement strategies, strategic energy management, and building operator efficiency training.
Future initiatives
GBC plans to launch both its new Sustainability Plan and Integrated Energy and Water (IEWMP) master plan in late 2025. The sustainability team also aims to develop a dashboard system displaying real-time energy usage across campuses, making sustainability efforts more visible to the college community.
The college community will continue to be a driving force behind the success of GBC's sustainability initiatives, helping turn ambitious goals into tangible results through active participation and support. This ongoing engagement and collaboration is instrumental to our progress, which creates a ripple effect of positive environmental impact. We are entering into key partnerships and leveraging the support of our partner organizations to foster a new era of sustainability at GBC.
The recognition by the Green Will Initiative represents just one step in the college's sustainability journey, with plans for expanded programs and continued environmental leadership in Toronto's education sector.
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