Vancouver Island University is committed to sustainable development
VIU is actively working to:
- significantly reduce its environmental footprint
- foster a strong sustainability ethic in the VIU community
- increase its leadership role in advancing comprehensive environmental, social, economic and cultural sustainability best practices on its campuses and sites and in the communities it serves
- take consistent and increased action to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development is a way of using resources and shaping growth to meet the needs of people today without hurting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (IISD)
The core pillars of sustainable development:
- Environmental Protection - Safeguarding natural ecosystems, reducing pollution, curbing climate change, and using renewable energy instead of depleting finite resources
- Economic Growth - Fostering long-term economic stability, responsible resource use, and fair distribution of financial benefits
- Social Inclusion and Equity - Promoting human rights, community development, equal access to healthcare and education, and social justice so that no one is left behind.
How will we achieve our goals?
Through:
- committing to plan and deliver the university’s built environment in an accessible, secure and sustainable manner
- setting a baseline year to capture the university’s comprehensive carbon footprint and identifying areas for improvement
- developing and implementing plans to reduce the institution’s carbon footprint
- launching campaigns and initiatives to promote sustainability awareness and progress towards achieving the UN’s SDGs
- celebrating and showcasing the efforts and contributions of the VIU community