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Exploring Sustainability Efforts Carried out In University of Regina
The University of Regina is the case study in the sustainability efforts being introduced. The University has transformed the lives of the students by making them world changers using the environmental issues and innovations among other and has a direct aim of making this world greener. This article aims to explore the sustainability efforts of the University of Regina and the various reasons behind them.
The environmental issues are related to the air, water, and soil, etc. The University has rolled out a five-year strategy for exploring various methods in order to become user-friendly. While exploring the water sustainability, it was seen that various options like installation of water stations on the campus have been done by the authorities. Additionally, this program is also supposed to collect the wastewater, filter and then reclaim the water runoff which would be stored in the building sterns (Pahl-Wostl, C., 2002). Furthermore, this environment program is also supposed to implement new composting services in the campus. The environment plan addresses the following points into consideration namely, waste, transportation, energy, leadership and communication and engagement. The program is basically aimed towards focusing on the reduction of plastics and other wastes on the campus and well-being on the curriculum change. (Valentin, A., & Spangenberg, J. H., 2000).
Firstly, according to this campus, the Sustainability has been overarching all the strategic priorities of the University and is highly imperative in order to ensure the future success of the organization. The University's approach towards sustainability is rooted towards social justice and is, therefore, encompassing various factors like cultural, economic, social and personal wellbeing. (University of Regina, 2015).
One of the major concern of the members of the University is the waste in all forms. The member of the community realized that the greatest opportunity for the University and its impact is the reduction of waste. The organization has incorporated various waste minimization goals and practices and followed: Avoid-Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-Recover-Dispose. Furthermore, the campus is promoting recycling programs which include paper, coffee cups, plastic, electronic and batteries. This also includes the operation of a pilot composting system along with a waste measurement system. It is imperative to assess the knowledge and satisfaction of the faculty, students and staff regarding the recycling options and waste minimization systems. (Evans, A., Strezov, V., & Evans, T. J., 2009)
The University of Regina is further posed by the climate change which requires retooling, rethinking, etc. where the University is asked to take decisions and then provide opportunities for exploration of alternative energy and practical applications. In order to put forward a step towards the natural energy, the campus has created and maintained an energy dashboard for depicting the energy uses in the campus. Additionally, an alternative energy demonstration along with the teaching site has been created whereas the installation of alternative energies on the campus are investigated and communicated. The campus and authorities have constructed a rule where everyone is asked to adopt the habit of - "lights off/heat off" as everyone’s responsibility. A transportation measuring system is developed and implemented by the campus.
The environmental sustainability programs are run by the associations in the campus along with the partnership with groups outside the University. These programs have been highly successfully till now in the reduction of waste and saving or energy etc. The University has further helped the students and the outside community to realize the important of sustainable development and made them understand the strategic challenges and operational challenges being brought due to issues like water shortage, climate change, upcoming threats, etc. this environmental program has been successful in deploying good strategies for mitigating the risks, increasing the revenues in campus and further reduction of costs.
These strategies were helpful and highly successful in making the environment be greener and sustainable. They plan to review their strategy after every five years and are making environmental benefits along with cost saving plans. This has helped in making the campus simpler, effective, attractive and realistic making it a leader of the substantiality.
Ecological Footprint of Regina: 7.43 (Ecological Footprints of Canadian Municipalities and Regions, 2016)
The organization must work towards reducing the carbon footprint and perform various activities to implement this program and review it from time to time so as to maintain the sustainability. The people coming to and coming out of the University of Regina each day are provided with sustainable, multi-modal forms of transportation. This factor has led to the reduction of the carbon footprint enabling the University to serve as a role model. Therefore along with the environmental sustainability plans, the University is in a position towards reduction in its carbon footprint. In order to carry further this legacy, these actions are supported by actions like
Assessment of the sustainability and quality of the provided academic programs and the units supporting them.
Implementation of the method of using the existing infrastructure in an efficient manner along with maintaining the sustainability of the environment.
Goals and actions from the Strategic Plan for Sustainability are highly promoted.
The University has increased its collaboration with the City of Regina and Wascana Centre Authority for expanding the community projects, improving the environmental sustainability initiatives, and promoting cooperative marketing.
In conclusion, University of Regina has performed excellently in reinforcing various systems along with decent managerial skills. All the other Universities must learn from this example and enrich other people to explore the sustainability efforts.
University of Regina,. (2015). STRATEGIC PLAN FOR SUSTAINABILITY. University of Regina. Retrieved from http://www.uregina.ca/president/assets/docs/PVPA%20docs/PACS/2015-20-u-of-r-strategic-plan-for-sustainability.pdf#page=15
Pahl-Wostl, C. (2002). Towards sustainability in the water sector–The importance of human actors and processes of social learning. Aquatic sciences, 64(4), 394-411.
Valentin, A., & Spangenberg, J. H. (2000). A guide to community sustainability indicators. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 20(3), 381-392.
Evans, A., Strezov, V., & Evans, T. J. (2009). Assessment of sustainability indicators for renewable energy technologies. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 13(5), 1082-1088.
Ecological Footprints of Canadian Municipalities and Regions. (2016) (1st ed.). Retrieved from https://www.fcm.ca/Documents/reports/Ecological_Footprints_of_Canadian_Municipalities_and_Regions_EN.pdf