Success

In fall 2009, UNB was approached by the Interuniversity Services Incorporated (ISI) in association with the Atlantic Universities and Colleges Sustainability Network (AUCSN) to support a Presidents' Climate Change Statement.

Emission reduction plan

In support of this statement, UNB developed an emission reduction plan to meet the Province of New Brunswick’s Climate Change Action Plan (2007-2012) based strictly on building utility savings through the Energy Management Program and upgrades to the Central Heating Plant.

Although the President's Climate Change Statement through ISI did not materialize, UNB carried out an emission reduction plan successfully mitigating rising utility costs and avoiding carbon dioxide emissions.

Working to exceed new targets

As UNB has met the 2012 targets and continues to work towards the 2020 goals, we must now work to achieve or exceed the newest targets established by our governments.

Canada has committed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by:

  • 17% from 2005 levels by 2020
  • 30% from 2005 levels by 2030

The province of New Brunswick has committed to a:

  • 10% reduction of 1990 levels by 2020
  • 75-85% reduction in 2001 levels by 2050

Higher education needs to demonstrate leadership by means of high level institutional commitments to address climate change. This can be achieved through development and implementation of a Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). Currently Dalhousie University and the Nova Scotia Community College are the only Atlantic institutions that have implemented a CCAP.