The University of Windsor has signed off on its Carbon Neutral Masterplan, a roadmap it calls transformative.
The university's efforts to become more sustainable have already received recognition on the world stage. Earlier this month, it was 382nd among 1,403 universities globally in the QS World University Rankings for a series of initiatives under its Aspire plan.
The Carbon Neutral Masterplan sets two ambitious goals. The first is a 45 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from its 2019 baseline by 2030. It also hopes to become completely carbon neutral by 2050.
"It's a testament to our dedication towards fostering a more sustainable future, marking a pivotal step in our journey towards a more environmentally conscious campus," said President Rob Gordon.
The plan includes short and long-term measures like upgrading to LED lights, renewing aging infrastructure, transitioning to a low-carbon district energy system, electrifying buildings, and using solar photovoltaics and solar thermal.
"We're poised to translate plans into impactful actions that will drive tangible change across our campus and hopefully inspire others to take on similar initiatives," said Vice President of Finance and Operations Gillian Heisz.
The QS World University Rankings also took notice of the university's zero-waste landfill project, a new hybrid cooler, and new EV charging stations on campus.
