Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.27
Liaison Juanita Van Norman
Submission Date Aug. 16, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Manitoba
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Christie Nairn
Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

Taking Our Place:
University of Manitoba Strategic Plan indicates the University's consideration of sustainability in creation of the document with the following statement:
"The University will need to continue its efforts to promote institutional sustainability and to pursue the principles of environmental, social and economic sustainability, defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development as meeting ‘the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'."
Furthermore, sustainability is acknowledged as a Value requiring commitment in order to achieve the mission of the University.
The University of Manitoba's Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018 was created consistently with the Taking Our Place Strategic Plan 2015 - 2020 indicating eight "Sustainability Big Moves" and six goals towards achieving sustainability on campus.


A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):

University of Manitoba Visionary (re)Generation Master Plan
http://www.visionaryregeneration.com/media/160520_WEB_Master_Plan.pdf

The University of Manitoba Bannatyne Campus Master Plan
http://umanitoba.ca/admin/campus_planning_office/media/140514_Bannatyne_Master_Plan_for_web.pdf

The University of Manitoba - Strategic Research Plan 2015 - 2020
http://umanitoba.ca/research/media/Strategic_Research_Plan.pdf

The University of Manitoba Moving Forward: Sustainable Transportation Strategy 2017 - 2022
https://umanitoba.ca/campus/sustainability/media/2017-22-SustainableTransportationStrategy-Small.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taking Our Place Strategic Plan 2015 - 2020
I. Inspiring Minds
Goal 1: Provide accessibility and reasonable accommodation in all of our programs for students with disabilities Supporting Action 1: Develop bona fide academic requirements or essential skills and abilities requirements as appropriate for all of our programs.

Sustainability Strategy 2016 - 2018
Goal: Campus Life
Objective 6: Incorporate sustainability into University research, education, student experience and other learning objectives
Objective 7: Promote the University of Manitoba as a leader in the field of sustainability
Long-Term Action 1: “Greening the curriculum” – promote/support integration of sustainability into new academic areas.
Long-Term Action 2: Themed semesters/ first-year experiences.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taking Our Place Strategic Plan 2015 - 2020
I. Inspiring Minds
Goal a. Maintain and sufficiently support an appropriate range of liberal arts, science and professional programs for Manitoba’s research university in the context of stable or diminishing resources.
Supporting Action i. Establish Faculty program sustainability plans and develop a process for determining and ensuring program sustainability across the University.
Supporting Action ii. Incorporate sufficient support for students as part of program sustainability plans.

Sustainability Strategy 2016 - 2018
Sustainability Big Moves:
- Sustainability Research in Action Program: An applied research opportunity that establishes the campus as a living lab for the study and advancement of sustainable development and could grow to support community research placements.
- Advancing the Strategic Research Plan: The research themes and signature areas in this 5-year plan represent significant contributions to global sustainability.
Goal: Campus Life
Objective 6: Incorporate sustainability into University research, education, student experience and other learning objectives
Medium-Term Action 2: Promote/incent research on sustainable development.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
Goal 6. Campus Life
Key Goals and Objectives
- "Increase participation in planning and learning related to sustainability"
- "Incorporate sustainability into University research, education, student experience and other learning objectives"
Priority Actions for 2016 - 2018
- "6. Community engagement framework"


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taking Our Place The University of Manitoba Strategic Plan: 2015 - 2020
V. Forging Connections to foster high impact community engagement
d. Enhance engagement, and build and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities in urban, rural and northern settings

Visionary (re)Generation Campus Master Plan
Six Main Guiding Principles
- "1. Connected, networking the campus and connecting to the city;"
- "The campus will comprise a compact network of diverse public places that encourage social interaction and create an accessible, inclusive, stimulating environment for all."

The University of Manitoba Bannatyne Campus Master Plan
3. Bannatyne Campus Vision and Principles - 6. Community
- "The campus will be a place that is open and inviting to the surrounding neighborhood, providing spaces and amenities for community members as well as for students and staff. By focusing on development within the campus' existing footprint, the Plan is sensitive to the boundaries with the community, while also seeing the need to soften those boundaries to become a welcoming neighborhood space."
6. Opportunities for Collaboration - Working Together with the Neighborhood
- "Planning should occur in a collaborative way that does not set up hard and rigid boundaries between campus and community."


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
3. Ecology and Environment
Key Goals and Objectives
- "2. Maintain air quality through emissions management"
5. Climate
Key Goals and Objectives
- "1. Inventory and transparently report on greenhouse gas emissions produced by the University of Manitoba"
6. Climate
Priority Actions for 2016-2018:
- "3. Develop proactive indoor air quality strategies based on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or International Well Building Institute standards."


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
1. Resource Conservation and Efficiency
Priority Actions for 2016-2018:
- "Develop and implement a University green building policy/strategy (for construction and operations); support with renewed standard specifications:
- Energy performance standards for all new construction
...
- Building-level renewable energy generation feasibility in all new construction projects"


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
1. Resource Conservation and Efficiency
Key Goals and Objectives
- "1. Reduce energy consumption (kWh/m2) by 5% each "
- "2. Increase use of renewable energy for buildings to 80% by 2040"
Priority Actions for 2016-2018:
- "3. Pilot occupancy-driven energy management systems"
- "4. Explore partnerships for building energy reduction projects and delivery models"


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
6. Campus Life
Key Goals and Objectives
- "1. Deliver safe, nutritious food that contributes to resilient local food systems"
Priority Actions for 2016-2018:
- "9. Establish collaborative campus food strategy"


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
3. Ecology and Environment
Key Goals and Objectives
- "3. Enhance the University's pest management strategy"
- "4. Gear land management practices to increasing diversity, growing carbon sequestrian, reducing irrigation water demand and responding to climate"


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
1. Resource Conservation and Efficiency
Medium-term actions:
- "2. Establish sustainable purchasing tracking program for construction, renovation & demolition projects, making use of existing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) tracking tools."


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Moving Forward: Sustainable Transportation Strategy 2017 - 2022
Pedestrian and Cycling Improvements
- "Strategy 1: Identify high-traffic pedestrian and cycling routes"
- "Strategy 2: Create pedestrian and cycling facilities on campus to meet current and future demand"
- "Strategy 3: Focus on accessibility for all campus users"
- "Strategy 4: Examined on-campus bike parking options"
- "Strategy 5: Provide and promote additional end-of-trip cycling amenities"
- "Strategy 6: Work with internal and external partners"
- "Strategy 7: Communicate current and future available route options"
Transit Advocacy
- "Strategy 1: Identify opportunities to improve rider experience"
- "Strategy 2: Create better transit connections within and between campuses"
- "Strategy 3: Ensure transit passes are financially competitive with parking passes"
Carpooling Services
- "Strategy 1: Improve access to carpooling options"
- "Strategy 2: Increase incentives to carpool"
Parking Management
- "Strategy 1: Create financial incentives to shift some trips to carpooling, transit, walking and cycling"
- "Strategy 2: Reduce demand for drive alone parking spaces; ensure accessible spaces are maintained"
- "Strategy 3: Design with sustainability in mind"
Fleet Management & Business Travel
- "Strategy 1: Reduce the need for personal vehicle use during the work-day"
- "Strategy 2: Identify efficiencies in the fleet management system"
- "Strategy 3: Support and encourage sustainable, efficient business travel options"
- "Strategy 4: Off-set unavoidable emissions related to business travel"

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy 2016-2018:
2. Transportation and Accessibility
Key Goals and Objectives
- "1. Reduce drive alone rate by 5% in next 5 years"
- "2. 15% decrease in carbon intensity of average passenger trip from baseline"
- "3. Increase share of zero-emissions, low-emitting, and fuel efficient vehicles in fleet and among commuters, move 10% of fleet to low or zero emission vehicles in next 5 years"
- "4. Increase campus walkability"
Priority Actions 2016 - 2018:
- "1. Establish and implement a regular campus transportation demand survey."
- "2. Develop a sustainable transportation strategy with community involvement; including actions designed to reduce single occupant vehicle travel demand. Such as support for active transportation, carpooling and virtual/tele services."
- "3. Implement bike parking strategy."
- "4. Partner with student groups/users to develop a bike share/bike library program."
- "5. Implement campus car share program."
- "6. Expand carpool parking options."
- "7. Implement electric vehicle charging/parking program."
- "8. Establish and implement a regular campus walkability and accessibility survey/audit."
- "9. Research provision of a transportation allowance program for staff to support mode choice and sustainable lifestyle options."


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
1. Resource Conservation and Efficiency
Key Goals and Objectives
- "4. Reduce waste to landfill and diversify reuse and recycling options"
Priority Actions for 2016-2018:
- "6. Research business case for on-campus, in-vessel compost system and other organic waste management solutions."


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
1. Resource Conservation and Efficiency
Key Goals and Objectives
- "3. Reduce water consumption by 10% in the next 3 years"
Priority Actions for 2016-2018:
University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy: 2016 - 2018
1. Resource Conservation and Efficiency
Priority Actions for 2016-2018:
- "Develop and implement a University green building policy/strategy (for construction and operations); support with renewed standard specifications:
...
- Water conservation and efficiency standards for all new construction projects
...
- "7. Develop a waste prevention strategy, including access to drinking (tap) water"


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Taking Our Place University of Manitoba Strategic Plan
I. Inspiring Minds through innovative and quality teaching
- "c. Provide students with flexible learning opportunities using a variety of delivery modes that make the best use of available classroom and online learning technologies and resources"
- "i. Provided accessibility and reasonable accommodation in all of our programs for students with disabilities"
II. Driving Discovery and Insight through excellence in research, scholarly work and other creative activities
- "e. Advance Indigenous research and scholarship"
III. Creating Pathways to Indigenous achievement
- "b. Build a culturally rich, safe and supportive learning and work environment in which an increasing number of Indigenous students, faculty and staff succeed."
- "c. Foster K-12 Indigenous student participation in post-secondary education"
IV. Building Community that creates an outstanding learning and working environment
- "b. Increase student, staff, faculty and leadership diversity that reflects society, especially with respect to the inclusion of women, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, gender and sexual minorities, and racialized minorities"

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy 2016-2018
6. Campus Life
Priority Actions for 2016-2018
- "12. Develop an employee diversity strategy,"
- "13. Develop an Indigenous employee recruitment, development, and retention strategy."


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy 2016-2018
6. Campus Life
Medium-term actions:
- "5. Invite dialogue with Board of Governors about opportunities to develop a responsible investment strategy."


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:

University of Manitoba Sustainability Strategy 2016-2018
Sustainability Big Moves
8. "Green Operations & Maintenance: Renewing policy around green buildings will support the creation of learning and work environments that foster wellness, productivity and that meet the needs of the community today and tomorrow"
6. Campus Life
Key Goals and Objectives
- "3. Improve the health and well-being of University community members"
Medium-term actions:
- "1. Fully implement mental health strategy and advance an employee wellness strategy"

Bannatyne Campus Master Plan
3. Bannatyne Campus Vision and principles
- "2. Healthy Living: ... The campus will be a place that encourages active and healthy living through the provision of a variety of recreational and fitness facilities, universally accessible green spaces and open areas that can be used safely in all seasons, and through an emphasis on active transportation options such as walking and cycling."

Visionary (re)Generation Master Plan
- "A Health and Wellness Environment
Compact, walkable communities support physical and social health, as people walk, interact and connect, and access services and amenities within a reasonable walking distance. Appropriate land use decisions and structure encourage sustainability and active living. Necessary open space amenities such as parks and trails promote and encourage physical activity – through walking, cycling and active recreation. Intensification, including housing situated around the existing hospital for example, makes health services easily accessible especially for growing and aging communities. Seniors can live near and walk to medical services. Providing multimodal options, such as transit, walking and cycling, increases access to safe and convenient transportation for everyone in a diverse community, especially low
income populations.”


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:

The University of Manitoba’s Mission, Vision and Values:
MISSION
To create, preserve, communicate and apply knowledge, contributing to the cultural, social and economic well-being of the people of Manitoba, Canada and the world.
VISION
To take our place among leading universities through a commitment to transformative research and scholarship and innovative teaching and learning, uniquely strengthened by Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
VALUES
To achieve our vision, we require a commitment to a common set of ideals.
The University of Manitoba values:
Academic Freedom
Accountability
Collegiality
Equity and Inclusion
Excellence
Innovation
Integrity
Respect
Sustainability


The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):

The University views sustainability as having three interrelated and mutually supportive dimensions: environmental, social, and economic. Planning to address these dimensions of sustainability will protect the long-term resiliency of the University in terms of its programs, people and its physical resources.
Social sustainability includes the preservation and strengthening of cultural identities; the decreasing of social inequities; the empowerment of marginalized groups; and an emphasis on collaborative, participatory, and inclusive decision-making processes. There is also a particular commitment to social sustainability that builds and expands an Indigenous presence
and visibility at the University that will result in improved access, recruitment, retention, and completion for First Nations, Inuit and Métis learners. The University is dedicated to becoming a place where all Indigenous students have a home.
Economic sustainability necessitates making economic decisions that reflect environmental and social effects, and requires prudence and care in creating efficiencies and locating new revenue streams to ensure that resources continue to be available to pursue the University’s overall mission. Overall, the University wishes to ensure that its present actions do not decrease the chances for future
generations to achieve levels of well-being that are at least as great as those achieved now.
Environmental sustainability includes maintaining and increasing ecological functions, ensuring that natural resources and ecosystems are not utilized beyond their regenerative capacities, transitioning from non-renewable to renewable natural resources and energy, and preserving and enhancing biodiversity. The way we design the built environment has implications for the long-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. For example, designing a more walkable dense urban environment can reduce car dependency and allow for more land dedicated to the natural systems that both human and non-human species rely on.


Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter No
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) No
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter No
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment No
The Talloires Declaration (TD) Yes
UN Global Compact No
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) No

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:

- University and College Presidents' Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada
- Halifax Declaration


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.