Engaging the university community in realizing sustainabiity: a transformational approach

Simon Fraser University has a Gold rating in STARS 2.0, (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) an international self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS is administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The system assesses four key categories: academics (including curriculum and research), engagement, operations, and planning and administration. SFU is one of only three universities in Canada to achieve the Gold 2.0 rating based on measurable impacts so it speaks to the incredible amount of work taking place on campus and the improvements that have been made since they achieved a Silver rating in 2011. What has Sustainability Office at SFU done to engage the university community in its strategy and process that has lead to the increased sustainability of the university? What are the lessons learned and on-going challenges?

Candace Le Roy is the Director of the Sustainability Office at Simon Fraser University