GOAL 5: OPERATIONS

• SFU joined the United Nations-led Race To Zero global campaign and established the university’s net zero targets. 
• SFU Facilities Services goes paperless.
• SFU cut greenhouse gases by more than 50 per cent from 2007 levels in 2021, exceeding provincial interim targets and topping the university’s own aggressive Race To Zero targets. 
• SFU's 2022 Climate Change Accountability Report was recently released. SFU made remarkable strides by reporting a 52 per cent reduction in emissions in 2022. This achievement is even more notable considering that the university's physical footprint has expanded by approximately 30 per cent since it began annual greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting in 2007.
• SFU staff breaks down gender barriers and SFU’s energy emissions
• Into the green - SFU exceeds greenhouse gas reduction targets

• SFU has reduced the carbon footprint of its Burnaby campus by 85 per cent (or 11,600 tCO2e annually) with the help of the Burnaby Mountain District Energy Utility (BMDEU), a biomass energy centre that is the collaboration between SFU, SFU Community Trust and Corix Utilities.

• SFU joined the United Nations-led Race To Zero global campaign and established the university’s net zero targets. 
• SFU collaborates with Quantum Lifecycle to keep devices out of landfills.
• SFU makes great strides in sustainable procurement to reduce our environmental footprint.
• SFU has a new student ambassador working with the ReUse for Good program.
• The social impact program, Mugshare, launched at Renaissance Café. 
• SFU funded the Living Lab research project on feasibility of electric vehicle purchasing. The VPFA hired a student to continue research on EVs to support the exploration of fleet purchasing.
• SFU Dining Commons has expanded with over 40 per cent of ingredients sourced locally in B.C., including global cuisine and plant-forward options. 
• SFU launched a personal protective equipment (PPE) mask recycling program on all three campuses.
• We deepened our relationship with ChopValue to start upcycling chopsticks at SFU into new materials for SFU campuses. 
• New EV Charger Additions Support SFU Emissions Reduction Goals
• 'Recyclopedia' Launches as Online Recycling Info Hub at SFU

• SFU has released the inaugural carbon footprint document.
• SFU is the first university in Canada to invest with Vancity Community Investment Bank (VCIB), which will help transform our communities and advance SFU’s commitment to responsible investment.
• SFU has committed to a full divestment from fossil fuels by 2025.

• SFU hosts events inviting community members to share their experiences and contribute to development of the university's Climate Resilience Plan.
• SFU food leaders share sustainability strides at UN Food Systems Summit

Reduce your e-waste by resisting device upgrades and keeping your devices for an additional year. A recent study in Europe found that extending the lifespan of devices and other appliances by one year could save enough emissions in Europe as taking 2 million cars off the roads. 

Commuting makes up a huge proportion of SFU’s indirect emissions. Emissions from a solo car trip can be up to two to four times more than from a carpooled trip. For SFU staff, consider creating a signup list for your staff team, normalizing talking about carpooling in staff meetings, planning for those who drive to come to campus on the same days, offering prizes and incentives and working to change the culture in your office to be more focused on sustainable solutions.  

Switch to serving plant-based foods at your department’s events and in your kitchen! Ingredients like beef and lamb have much higher carbon footprints than options that include tofu or vegetables. This switch can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and when planning on-campus events, it signals to SFU Meeting, Events and Conference Services (MECS) that there is an increasing demand for climate-friendly food options.

Plan and prioritize your regional and international meetings, conferences and events for the year, and only send staff members on flights when necessary—prioritize remote participation, or train and bus travel. When flights are necessary, book your staff in economy instead of business or first-class. Purchasing a first-class ticket can emit as many of three to ten times more emissions than an economy class ticket. 

Properly sort your garbage, recyclables, compostables and paper to divert as much as possible from landfill. You can find four-stream recycling bins all over SFU that make this convenient and efficient. Not sure what goes where? These handy tips can help.

Fair trade products are goods produced abroad which are traded to more ethical and sustainable standards than the status-quo in conventional trade. SFU offers fair trade certified coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate, flowers and bookstore products.