About the Plan

Two students consult the Wetland Ridge Trail map sign board at the NOTL campus
Educational institutions have incredible potential to be a catalyst for change and to facilitate positive transformational change in every organization, in every sector that our graduates will serve through their careers.

Niagara College has a fundamental purpose to shape the next generation and with that the responsibility to instill the importance of sustainability in every field of study. By setting and integrating sustainable practices we serve as role models for the broader community, influencing public opinion, behaviour, and policies.

Embracing sustainability fosters a sense of consciousness and responsibility within our institution, and integrating sustainability into leadership reflects a commitment to social responsibility to address the challenges and changes that are going to be forced upon us. It encourages innovation, creativity, and a transition to more ethical decision making and diversity in everything the College does.

Our Sustainability Plan: Then and Now

Then: 2019–2021

Niagara College’s first Sustainability Plan titled “A Balanced Approach: provided guidance to begin advancing sustainability efforts in all areas of the institution and continued to provide guidance through 2023.

Now: 2024–2029

The 2024-2029 Sustainability Plan: A Time for Action outlines a bold approach to shape sustainable, inclusive, and healthy communities, now and for generations to come. We have a collective responsibility to reflect on our individual and shared values, take accountability for our actions, and ensure an equitable and socially engaged approach to environmental sustainability on our campuses and in our communities.

What is sustainability at NC?

Providing high-quality applied education and training through a dynamic and inclusive process to improve the quality of life for students, employees, and the communities in which we live and operate today, while protecting and restoring the ecological systems, including human systems, that will be needed in the future.

Visit the Sustainability Website

Our Objectives

The Sustainability Plan will establish the actionable roadmap for sustainability at NC as prioritized in the Strategic Plan, that will set a leading example for environmental stewardship, education for sustainable development, climate mitigation and adaptation, and accountability for the current and future NC community.

  • Identify key priority areas, broad goals, measurable targets, and action items to illustrate the pathway to meeting our commitments.
  • Foster sustainability literacy and competencies for the Niagara College community as it relates to their program of study, current and future careers, and personal lives.
  • Provide strategic direction for the Niagara College community, as well as at a divisional, departmental, and individual level, to accelerate collective action and build on existing momentum.
  • Increase transparency and access to information to better share resources, opportunities, and showcase sustainability in action on campus and in the community.
  • Action Niagara College’s commitment and accountability to embed sustainability in all decision-making and become a strong example of environmental stewardship.
How will we achieve our objectives?
Combat Climate Change

Emphasize the urgency of scaling up action and support—including finance, capacity building and technology transfer—to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change in line with the best available science.

Commit to Carbon Neutrality

Establish the critical commitment to long-term carbon neutrality by achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with the Government of Canada, Colleges and Institutes Canada, and the Niagara Region. NC commits to going beyond carbon to instill a broader lens of sustainability, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, that reflects all areas of the College in a truly whole-institution plan.

Enrich Sustainability Commitment

Guide—in words and in action—organization-wide sustainability planning, promote a culture of consciousness, and deepen the commitment to environmental and social stewardship.

Build Sustainability Library

Build diverse sustainability literacy and competencies through academic programming, enhanced infrastructure and services, and experiential learning opportunities for all students, employees, and community members. This helps empower effective participation in civic dialogue, which is increasingly critical to address sustainability-related challenges.

Transform Our Communities

Create the transformative momentum for our communities through leadership, collaboration, nature-based solutions, and cultural change, locally and globally. Niagara College is committed to listening and reflecting, working collaboratively, and making a meaningful and socially just transition to a low-carbon economy.

Create Safe
Spaces

Create safe spaces to connect and converse on difficult social, environmental, cultural, and economic issues. Niagara College is actively working towards accelerated progress on achieving sustainability goals.

Key Influences

A board wall displaying the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
As a global institution, Niagara College has many internal and external sustainability influences positively impacting and reinforcing the longstanding commitment to sustainable action.

A non-exhaustive list of organizations, certifications, planning documents, and frameworks are listed below.

Internal
External

Please note that the below links will open in a new browser tab.

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