| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 85.74 |
| Liaison | Mike Wilson |
| Submission Date | Dec. 13, 2023 |
University of Victoria
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
The University of Victoria is committed to global leadership in environmental, social and institutional sustainability. We meet this challenge through our Strategic Plan, research, academic programs, campus operations, and the impact and influence of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 2030 (CSAP) is a new and unique approach to sustainability and climate action at UVic. This Strategy brings all campus portfolios, academics and curriculum, research and innovation, external, Indigenous, international relations, community and government relations, communications, finance and operations together, to guide UVic as we address and adapt to global challenges faced by all universities.
Strategy & actions
CSAP is comprised of a Strategy and an associated Actions Plan, which provide integrated responses to the challenges and opportunities afforded by climate change, and guide the university’s contribution to sustainability and planetary health.
There are six principles that will guide the development and implementation of the Plan:
-centre local Indigenous Knowledge Systems and worldviews
-innovation and excellence
-integration
-inclusive and empowered leadership
-climate justice and equity
-community engagement
Targets
UVic has set three ambitious targets in greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability and the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). These will be achieved through 11 measurable and robust short-, medium- and long-term goals.
Greenhouse gas emissions
Target 1
-by 2030, reduce campus operations greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 50% below our 2010 baseline
-by 2040, achieve Net Zero emissions for campus operations
-by 2050, achieve a climate positive campus
-STARS certification
Target 2
-achieve Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Platinum rating certification (85 points) by 2026
-UVic has continually improved our standings in Gold ratings over submissions in 2014 (67.97 points), 2017 (76.79 points) and 2020 (80.17 points).
-United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Target 3
each year, demonstrate advancement towards the UN SDGs
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Air & Climate
Coordination & Planning
Website URL where more information about the accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Name of a second highlighted sustainability program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They use carefully calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparison across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.
The 2023 Impact Rankings is the fifth edition, and the overall ranking includes 1,591 universities from 112 countries/regions.
The Impact Rankings are inherently dynamic: they are growing rapidly each year as many more universities seek to demonstrate their commitment to delivering the SDGs by joining our database; and they allow institutions to demonstrate rapid improvement year-on-year, by introducing clear new policies, for example, or by providing clearer and more open evidence of their progress.
For the 2023 Submission UVic was identified in the top 50 colleges and universities around the world in advancing and living up to the commitments of:
SDG 1: No poverty — #13
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation — # 29
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities — #4
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production — #20
SDG 13: Climate action — #3 globally, and first in Canada
SDG 14: Life below water — #11
SDG 15: Life on land — #24
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals — #44
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Air & Climate
Water
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Name of a third highlighted program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
"Distinctly UVic: A Strategy for the University of Victoria | 2023 Forward" is a comprehensive strategic plan launched on September 12, 2023. The document articulates UVic's commitment to addressing contemporary challenges through critical thinking, fostering a brighter, shared future. It emphasizes sustainability, equity, and creative problem-solving, anchored in the pledge to uphold Indigenous rights and principles.
The plan acknowledges the university's over 60 years of academic achievement and underscores the need for renewed commitment to face a changing world. It encourages re-imagining various facets of campus life for interconnected and interdisciplinary opportunities.
Priorities include ʔetal nəwəl | ÁTOL,NEUEL (Respecting the rights of one another), addressing social and environmental issues, fostering a culture of change and transformation, and advocating for inclusive partnerships for a shared future.
The strategic plan is a result of extensive engagement, involving thousands of stakeholders over 18 months, and reflects input from staff, students, faculty, alumni, donors, and community members. President Kevin Hall and the Executive Council express gratitude for the thoughtful input, signifying a collective effort in shaping the plan. The document provides quick links for further information about UVic and encourages engagement with the outlined principles for the university's next 60 years.
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Research
Coordination & Planning
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.