Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Wilfrid Laurier University is embracing clean energy practices, promoting energy efficiency, conducting research, integrating sustainability into education, engaging with the community and adopting a holistic approach to sustainable energy solutions in our efforts to advance SDG 7.
The work that Laurier completed in 2023 to advance SDG 7.
Science and research labs at Wilfrid Laurier University have reduced water consumption by 98% and energy consumption of high-draw equipment by 30% by introducing new, more environmentally sustainable lab practices and processes.
“Labs are fairly energy-intensive spaces,” says Gena Braun, research instrumentation technician in Laurier’s dean of science office. “On average, a lab will use four times the water of a comparable office space and up to 10 times the energy.”
Waste generated from single-use consumables like personal protective equipment can also contribute to a lab’s outsized environmental footprint. That waste, including plastics, is what led Braun to partner with not-for-profit organization My Green Lab.
or the fifth year in row, Laurier was named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. The national recognition reflects Laurier’s continued commitment to its sustainability-focused programs and initiatives, progress in reducing its carbon footprint, and the degree to which sustainability has become a part of Laurier’s workplace culture, spanning operations, academics and community partnerships.
A honey bee apiary project and capital projects, retrofits and sustainable practices that have achieved a nearly 24% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2009 levels across buildings on all of Laurier’s campuses are among the sustainability initiatives that have earned Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus a Green Business Award from the City of Brantford. The award was recently presented by the city’s Environmental and Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee in recognition of environmentally sustainable operations, practices, services and programs that benefit Brantford.
Laurier research centres advancing SDG 7.
The Viessmann Centre for Engagement and Research in Sustainability (VERiS) is an interdisciplinary and community-engaged research centre striving to be a catalyst and nexus for the transition toward strong cultures of sustainability. The centre understands cultures of sustainability “as characterized by shared values, symbols, rituals and practices grounded in sustainability principles leading to individual and societal choices that promote environmental protection, social justice and well-being, and a supportive economy." A culture of sustainability may exist within an organization, a building with multiple organizations or a community.
The Co-operators Centre for Business and Sustainability facilitates and coordinates research related to business and environmental sustainability. The centre ensures regular communication between researchers and practitioners, including strategic decision-makers in the local sustainability community. Located in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Laurier, the centre hosts seminars, conferences and roundtables to discuss relevant topics aligned with practitioner needs and assists in disseminating research findings in a timely fashion to those who can use them.
The Interdisciplinary Research Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Modelling in Scientific Discovery, Innovation and Sustainability (MS2Discovery) connects researchers working in mathematical and statistical modelling in various disciplines, from natural sciences and technology to finance, business and economics, and social sciences. MS2Discovery strives to create a dynamic and engaging environment conducive to interdisciplinary research, collaboration and communication.
Laurier initiatives in 2023 that advanced SDG 7.
Today’s climate of environmental challenges demand an ever-evolving approach to raise awareness and inspire action to create a more sustainable future. Laurier’s Sustainability Office is committed to this mission. Through projects that span operations, education and community partnerships, our goal is to create a culture where sustainability is embedded into university life.
As a leading postsecondary educational institution and a responsible corporate citizen, Laurier is committed to practicing environmental sustainability through education and corporate practices, and balancing future growth with the protection of the environment. Implementing a strategic ECDM Plan addresses the interconnected issues of indoor environmental quality, energy use and facility operations. Our goal is to continuously monitor our current practices so that maximum operating efficiency can be reached and resources can be allocated more appropriately to serve our community.
Discover how Laurier is contributing to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets.
