Cape Breton University Celebrates Earth Day 2024

This April 22, Cape Breton University is proud to recognize and celebrate Earth Day, an annual initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability.

“As a university with a history of taking action through substantial wind, solar and energy efficiency projects, we are proud to recognize this important day,” says David C. Dingwall, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Progress continues on our Climate Action Commitment, and in order to achieve these ambitious goals, we have adopted a number of key strategies in partnership with CBU’s Sustainability Coordinator, Adam Brown.”

In addition to offering academic sustainability programs, supporting sustainability in research and providing a forum for the sharing of ideas and resources in the community and beyond, CBU has made significant strides in reducing the University’s greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023, CBU reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 31.5 per cent of 2005 levels, and over the past 15 years, has reduced overall energy consumption while simultaneously increasing conditioned space by 10 per cent.

In line with provincial, national and global initiatives, CBU aims to meet or exceed the Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions reductions established in the Nova Scotia Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, which includes a 53 per cent greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050. The University has committed to reviewing these plans and targets on a three-year cycle to ensure they remain up to date and reflect advances in technology.

With so much construction and development happening on campus, CBU’s commitment to maximizing energy conservation through the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Standard is paramount to the University’s continued growth.

Both the Centre for Discovery and Innovation and the Cape Breton Medical Campus buildings will feature roof-top photovoltaic installations which can create electricity, and the University continues to develop a comprehensive decarbonization roadmap which will yield emissions reduction strategies for years to come.

On this Earth Day, Cape Breton University invites community members to reflect on how, together, we can make a difference to ensure our planet is sustainable for future generations of students, educators and change-makers.