CNA signs Pan-Canadian Protocol on Sustainability
3/11/2010 10:29:55 AM
Forty-six colleges throughout the country are taking a proactive role promoting sustainability within their campus walls and extending that practice into surrounding communities.
The delivery of this initiative comes as part of a recently signed Pan-Canadian Protocol on Sustainability through the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). As a member institution, College of the North Atlantic (CNA) has agreed to provide leadership to its internal and external communities and to maximize its contribution to a sustainable future.
CNA’s President, Jean Madill, is a representative of the Atlantic Region on the ACCC Board of Directors. Madill was an active participant in the development of this initiative which began in November of 2007.
“Since I joined the team at CNA this ACCC led initiative has been of major interest to the college and something we have dedicated a lot of time and energy in seeing through,” explains Madill. “We all have a responsibility to be more accountable and play active roles in the workplace and the communities in which we reside and serve.”
Colleges that took part in the signing have agreed to undertake a number of initiatives, including; establishing sustainability policies, integrating sustainability principles in cultural, sports, recreational and other activities, incorporating sustainability practices in procedures and operations such as green standards for buildings, alternate energy sources, Energy Star certification for products, and energy efficient transportation, and working collaboratively with government, business and the community to develop and implement joint strategies to move society towards sustainability.
The protocol development began in 2007 when the ACCC held a Symposium on Environmental Sustainability. The goal of the event was to provide member institution leaders with an opportunity to share best practices on incorporating sustainability principles. One of the recommendations made by symposium participants was that ACCC launch an initiative that would encourage colleges and institutes to formalize their commitments and efforts to sustainability. A consultation process ended with the development of the Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability.
“This process has been very thought provoking for everyone involved,” states Madill. “Post-secondary institutions were given the opportunity to share their best practices on sustainability – which ultimately is going to provide an environment conducive to learning for our student body and employees.”
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Backgrounder:
Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability
The signatory institutions to this protocol agree to maximize their contribution to a sustainable future and are committed to their role as leaders to their internal and external communities.
In the context of this protocol, sustainability is institutionally defined and may include environmental, economic and social dimensions.
The signatory institution agrees to undertake the following:
• Establish a sustainability policy;
• Incorporate the principles and best practices of sustainability in corporate documents and reports such as mission statements, strategic plans, annual reports, and policies;
• Develop an institutional sustainability plan that includes mechanisms for tracking progress;
• Integrate the principles of sustainability within curriculum to enable students and communities to develop competencies and commitment to contribute to a sustainable future;
• Incorporate sustainability practices in procedures and operations such as green standards for buildings, alternate energy sources, Energy Star certification for products, and energy efficient transportation;
• Integrate sustainability principles in cultural, sports, recreational and other activities;
• Participate in sustainability networks and consortia, sharing exemplary practices, research, and models; and,
• Work collaboratively with government, business and the community to develop and implement joint strategies to move society toward sustainability.
Media contact:
Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca