Carleton Joins Canadian Universities in Unified Call for Sustainability Leadership and Net-Zero Emissions

Carleton University is joining several other Canadian universities in a unified call to support the upcoming United Nations climate change COP26 and the global movement to meet net-zero carbon emissions.

The pledge demonstrates both the support and role that higher education organizations and networks can make toward this goal and the ambitions of Carleton to be at the forefront of this work. The letter of support can be found here.

As part of the petition, we have also reaffirmed the pledge to mobilize resources for action-oriented climate change research and skills creation. This goal, which is included in Carleton’s Strategic Integrated Plan, as well as the Sustainability Plan, has been demonstrated through many programs and activities on campus.

For instance, Carleton’s School of Industrial Design won the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) of Canada Project Arrow design competition. The Carleton team’s design will be used to create an original, full-build, zero-emission concept vehicle.

The letter of support for the UN climate change COP26 also confirms Carleton’s pledge to meet net-zero emissions by 2050 as outlined in our Sustainability Plan and the new Energy Master Plan. Our commitments are supported by the fact that all new buildings and renovations on campus are assessed against Green Globes standards. The new home of the Sprott School of Business, the Nicol Building, was recently awarded 4.5 globes, demonstrating a continued long-term vision for the energy and sustainability of our buildings.

Carleton has also joined the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Canada and University Global Coalition, part of an international movement in higher education to develop solutions for a cleaner, more sustainable future that acknowledges the critical role of universities in delivering the UN Sustainable Development goals.

The UN developed the 17 SDGs to provide a call to action and a game plan for promoting prosperity while protecting the planet. Carleton has outlined how our plans align to these goals within our Sustainability Plan.

These new commitments and network engagement are an exciting opportunity for Carleton to advance its programs and initiatives, providing opportunities for engagement toward our goals of net-zero emissions and delivering environment and sustainability education across curriculum, the campus and in community outreach.