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The University of New Brunswick’s Saint John campus has been awarded a silver rating for its sustainability programs and practices.

This is the first year UNB Saint John submitted data to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) program run by the Philadelphia-based Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. STARS is a self-reporting tool that assesses the sustainability of an institution’s practices within academics, engagement, operations, and planning and administration.

The rating now provides a baseline for the campus’s future ratings and gives detailed insight into areas that are outstanding or need additional attention.

“The University of New Brunswick has made significant strides in showcasing its commitment to sustainability, through both our on-campus activities and our research. Receiving a silver STARS rating for our practices on the Saint John campus is a very good place to start and we will continue to move forward with initiatives that support our university’s vision for a better, more sustainable future,” says Dr. Petra Hauf, UNB’s vice-president Saint John.

Highlighted in UNB’s Saint John results are its academic practices and energy management program. All 26 campus buildings have been converted to LED lighting to reduce energy consumption and utility costs while creating a more sustainable and comfortable environment for the community.

While this year’s rating gives the institution an idea of its impact, several forthcoming programs and initiatives already in progress will contribute to future results. The new Barry and Flora Beckett Residence, opened in January, is the first geothermally heated and cooled building on campus.

The Saint John campus is also completing a campus-wide Climate Change Adaptation Plan, focused on developing strategic adaptation options to build climate change resilience on campus.

“The rating acknowledges the hard work and commitment by the university in order to reduce our carbon footprint. I’m very proud of what has been completed and look forward to continuing our efforts,” says Kevin Simpson, director of facilities management and campus development on the Saint John campus.

The certification process for both ratings was led by UNB Sustainability, a program focused on creating a culture of sustainability. It utilizes the information gathered through STARS to identify opportunities to improve, helping lead the university towards the goal of being a leader in sustainability, a key value of UNB’s Vision for 2030.

Media contact: Kelsey Pye