Sustainability
Sustainability is included in everything we do. It's part of our curriculum learning activities. It's a value we practise every day, from diverting waste on campuses to encouraging active transportation and healthy living. Sustainability is the right thing for us to do, and more importantly, we are preparing Nova Scotia for the fast-growing green economy.
NSCC Annual Sustainability Report
Every year, we're getting better at reducing our energy and water consumption and our greenhouse gas emissions. View our annual report (PDF 14MB) to see the progress we’ve made and to learn about our plan for the future.
We value sustainability
In 2015, the United Nations set 17 sustainable development goals for the year 2030. These goals focus on environmental, social, economic and equality issues. NSCC has been recognized through such programs as STARS and BOMA Best for our efforts to contribute to these goals. The College continues to intricate these goals into academic, campus and student life. We not only want to help contribute to these goals globally, but to use them as means to give back to the local Nova Scotia community.
With 13 campuses across the province, the College can and will make a difference. The 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face – not only climate change, but also poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice. NSCC is committed to working toward these goals and will continue to monitor sustainability activities and progress.
Sustainable Campus Index
Each year, The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (ASHEE) releases a Sustainable Campus Index (SCI). This is a publication that recognizes top-performing colleges and universities in 17 sustainability impact areas and overall by institution type, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).
In the 2020 SCI (PDF 18.9MB), NSCC was recognized, for the fourth year in a row, as the top overall performing associate college. NSCC has also consistently been ranked as a top five performer for the impact areas of sustainability in waste and sustainability in buildings over the last four years.
Our team
Our Facilities and Engineering department has a sustainability team. From left to right:
Michael Chapman - Manager of Infrastructure Renewal, Sustainability, and Space Planning
Martha MacGowan - Sustainability Technician
Patti McCullough - Sustainability Technician
Kirk Herman - Environmental Engineer