• A commitment to a 20 per cent carbon reduction target below the 2007 baseline by the year 2020 as part the college’s Environmental Management Plan. Mohawk has exceeded this target by reaching a 24 per cent reduction by the end of 2012 and has set a new target of a 30 per cent reduction by 2020.


• An environmental program created by and for students to promote sustainable living on and off the campus.


• Numerous initiatives to encourage faculty, staff and students to consider alternative transit, including discounted transit passes, unlimited transit for full-time students, an on-campus bicycle loan program and online carpool registrations through the Smart Commute program.


• An on-campus cooperative community-based garden program with garden plots available for individuals, student groups and departments.


• Design of the 64,000 square foot David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre to meet LEED Gold certification standards, with a commitment to meet LEED standards for all future campus construction and renovations.

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On Nov. 9, Mohawk’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to adopt the College’s environmental management plan. The plan commits Mohawk to a 20 per cent reduction of 2007 baseline carbon emissions by 2020, exceeding both provincial and federal targets.

“Mohawk’s environmental management plan will serve as the framework for all decisions made with respect to improving our college’s environmental stewardship,” says President Rob MacIsaac.  “Our plan calls upon all staff, students and members of the community to work together to build a more sustainable college. Getting there will require us to rethink how we do business and to take a different approach to planning for future investment and growth.”

Mohawk’s environmental management plan identifies eight pillars that represent key areas of focus and support for reducing carbon emissions: waste management and paper consumption; facility operations and future buildings; procurement; local food and health and wellness; transportation and vehicle emissions; alternative energy; tracking, reporting and communications; and change management.

The plan aims to build on the success of past environmental initiatives, including a major retrofit project at Mohawk’s Fennell Campus. The installation of hands-free taps and automatic flush toilets cut water consumption in half and led to the installation of smaller and more energy efficient tanks that cost less to operate.

Mohawk’s environmental management plan was drafted by the College’s Sustainability Steering Committee, drawing on the feedback, opinions and ideas of more than 170 students, faculty and staff who took part in carbon roundtable sessions. 

In developing the plan, Mohawk commissioned a baseline greenhouse gas inventory. The study found that commuting to the college by students and staff and paper use accounted for 39 per cent of emissions, while electricity consumption accounted for 32 per cent and natural gas accounted for the remaining 29 per cent.

“We have an opportunity to set an example for our colleagues, our students, our community and other colleges,” says MacIsaac. “Together we will make Mohawk a more productive, prosperous college and become a leader in the sustainability movement.”

Sustainability, together with quality and innovation, are Mohawk’s three strategic priorities. At Mohawk, sustainability is defined as conducting business to positively impact people, the environment and the economy.

Mohawk College delivers a quality education to 15,000 full-time and apprenticeship students and 42,000 continuing education registrants at campuses in Hamilton and Brantford. In the most recent province-wide student satisfaction survey, Mohawk ranked first among all colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for quality of learning and programs, quality of services and facilities and overall student and graduate satisfaction.

Sustainability, quality and innovation, are Mohawk’s three strategic priorities. At Mohawk, we measure our sustainability relative to a triple bottom line of financial, environmental and social responsibility.  Reducing our college’s carbon footprint is good for both the environment and ultimately our bottom line. Every dollar we save through increased energy efficiency and reduced waste is a dollar we can invest in our students.

Mohawk’s Sustainability Steering Committee is creating the college’s first environmental management plan. Chaired by Piero Cherubini, Dean of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship, the committee is completing a greenhouse gas inventory for Mohawk as part of the environmental management plan. The committee will use the inventory to set Mohawk’s baseline carbon footprint and identify areas for improvement.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to Carbon Roundtables being held at each campus by the Sustainability Steering Committee over the next month and a half. The committee will share results of the greenhouse gas inventory and ask for big and small ideas on how to reduce our carbon footprint. Your ideas will help the steering committee develop and deliver an environmental management plan to senior management by March 31^st.

The Sustainability Steering Committee will be sending out open invitations to the Carbon Roundtables this week. You can register online or by contacting Sustainability Initiatives Coordinator Alan Griffiths at ext. 4168.  I encourage you to take part in a roundtable and help build our college’s first environmental management plan. Together, we can make Mohawk a leader in sustainability within our community and across the Ontario college system.

Rob MacIsaac

President

Mohawk College