A well-planned approach to sustainable development could be what your facility or campus needs to set the pace toward sustainability and track progress toward your green goals.
Kicking off the next chapter of its ambitious sustainability strategy, Carleton University recently unveiled its 2018-2021 Energy Master Plan. The document builds on the inaugural master plan released in 2014 and presents a whole-campus road map to build on previous initiatives and achieve new goals.
Inside the Energy Master Plan
The new plan addresses current facility conditions, energy utilization and sustainability ratings, a detailed analysis of current and future energy and water needs, and plans for retrofits that will reduce energy consumption and lower the campus’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more on water efficiency
It also sets out ambitious sustainable development goals for the next three years, including:
- Build a co-generation energy plant
- Develop an equipment optimization program to increase energy efficiency
- Complete the ongoing LED lighting replacement
- Increase research opportunities
- Introduce a Green Engagement Fund to support smaller sustainability education programs
- Expand access to energy data, including more energy display screens in key common areas around campus
How to Create an Energy Master Plan
Carleton University achieved a silver rating for the Sustainability Tracking Assessment Rating (STARS) and ranks in the top 35 global schools in the UI Green Metric rankings, due in part to the energy stewardship provided by the master plan.
The first phase of sustainable campus initiatives delivered a 2,693,298 kWh reduction in annual electricity use, a 25,247-cubic-meter reduction in annual water use and a 19,067-cubic-meter reduction in annual natural gas use, the equivalent of removing 440 passenger vehicles from the road every year.
To create your own master plan, start by conducting comprehensive audits on every building to determine which ones would benefit most from sustainability initiatives. Carleton engaged Honeywell to study all campus buildings and recommend efficiency improvements.
Related: 3 Key Changes to the WELL Building Standard
You also need a way to measure your sustainable progress against the initial baseline from your audit; Carleton uses STARS and the Green Globes certification to monitor progress.
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