Last Thursday, Kwantlen Polytechnic University was recognized for its efforts in reducing energy consumption and boosting sustainability when it was named one of Canada’s greenest employers for 2018 by Mediacorp Canada.
“This is wonderful recognition of the great strides KPU has taken to enhance environmental sustainability across its campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley and Cloverdale,” said Dr. Alan Davis, KPU president and co-chairperson of the university’s environment sustainability committee in a press release.
“Efforts to improve sustainability are woven into the fabric of the university, from creating energy efficient facilities to integrating sustainability into the curriculum across all our academic disciplines.”
Judges from the Canada’s Greenest Employer competition noted its environmental design standards in its new building construction and its efforts to raise employee and student awareness of its focus on sustainability. While KPU has increased its building footprint by 36 per cent, it has reduced its natural gas use by more than 11 per cent and electricity consumption by more than 13 per cent.
Other recognized initiatives at KPU include an onsite farmers’ market, rainwater harvesting, a green wall and roof, electric vehicle charging stations, a carpooling partnership and an intercampus shuttle bus.
