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Engagement in greenhouse gas emission reduction : survey of best practices programs in engaging students, faculty and staff in behaviour change strategies

University of British Columbia. Sustainability Office

This report seeks to identify best practices in engaging faculty and staff in GHG emission reduction. As most of the energy used on campus is used to heat and cool buildings, this report explores programs that can facilitate further engagement of staff, faculty members, researchers and students in green initiatives aimed at behaviour change. To explore this question, the top 20 universities that have decreased their emissions, based on the Princeton Review’s Guide to 352 Green Colleges (The Princeton Review, 2015), featured case studies at ASHEE resource website (Campus Sustainability Case Studies), and best practices featured in Climate Action Planning (Us Environmental Protection Agency, 2010) report were surveyed. Through the survey it was found that most universities and campuses that have reduced their GHG emissions have student peer mentoring programs, structured green certification programs and various opportunities for staff and students to design and participate in peer mentoring projects. To analyze which of these programs suits UBC and what can be learned from them, a matrix was developed to analyze the programs offered at each university. Overall it was found that having a strong communication strategy and peer-mentoring programs influence the degree by which students are able to change their behaviour. The three sections below illustrate the programs that either build on what UBC has been doing or have specific features that suit UBC. The first section focuses on programs for students living in residences, while the second focuses on programs for faculty, staff and researchers and the third section focus on specific behaviour of saving hot water. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”

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University of British Columbia. PLAN 550; UBC Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Student Report

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0224793

Applied Science, Faculty of; Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of

Graduate

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