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According to the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, [1] Royal Roads University (RRU) "offers programs primarily to professionals working in the global economy. The university concentrates on four themes: entrepreneurship and management; leadership; environmental sustainability; and conflict resolution. Most programs are at the master degree level, although the university also offers several undergraduate completion degrees (equivalent to years three and four). Degree programs are usually offered through a combination of Internet-based learning and short, on-site residencies at RRU's campus in Greater Victoria."

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Contents 1 External Climate Change Commitments 2 Beyond Carbon Neutral Planning Contacts 3 Carbon Neutral and Beyond-Carbon Neutral Planning Initiatives 3.1 Policy 3.2 Institutional Structure 3.3 GHG Inventory 3.4 Buildings 3.5 Energy 3.6 Transportation 3.7 Food 3.8 Waste 3.9 Purchasing 3.10 Investments 3.11 Budgeting 3.12 Offsets 3.13 Education and Research 3.14 Civic and Community Engagement 3.15 Other

External Climate Change Commitments

• University and College Presidents' Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada.
• CSA GHG Registry (Silver standing)

Beyond Carbon Neutral Planning Contacts

Environmental Enhancement Club

Carbon Neutral and Beyond-Carbon Neutral Planning Initiatives

Policy

RRU names environmental responsibility and sustainability in its values and vision statement. They are also developing a sustainability plan to set the direction for meeting their goals of:

• • Reducing net GHG emissions by 50 per cent by 2020 from 2007 levels.
  • Becoming climate-neutral by 2010
  • Going “off-grid” by 2018 (self sufficient in energy, water, waste)
  • Learning from our experiences to identify best practices and be a leader in sustainability [2].

Institutional Structure

• The university president is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of the Environmental Stewardship Policy ^[1]
• RRU has produced annual State of the Environment reports from 2000 to 2005 outlining their accomplishments in the pursuit of sustainability.
• RRU was not able to continue its Sustainability Coordinator staff position.

GHG Inventory

• In a media release, Steve Grundy, Assistant vice-president and environmental scientist, reported that RRU generates roughly 2,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually from heating buildings and the campus vehicle fleet [3].

Buildings

• The Robert Bateman Art and Environmental Education Centre aims to be a very sustainable building, integrated with its surrounding wetland.
• The Grant building was successfully retrofitted for energy efficiency, saving $6000 in natural gas costs in one year (McElroy et al. 2005 ^[2]).

Energy

In 2003, RRU purchased 10% of electricity used annually on campus as green power through the BC Hydro Green Certificates program [4], (State of the Environment Report 2001-2001 ^[3]).

Transportation

• A quarter of RRU's fleet of vehicles are fully electric, using no fossil fuels [5], and they have committed to considering low or zero-emissions vehicles when replacing the other vehicles in the fleet (State of the Environment Report 2001-2001 ^[3]).
• Carpooling is encouraged, and special parking rates are available.
• Cycling facilities, including covered parking, showers, lockers, and ironing boards are available. RRU participates in Bike to Work Week annually as well.
• Although RRU does not participate in a U-Pass system, it does offer discounted bus passes for students.

Food

• Staff and students have access to a community garden on campus to grow their own fruits and vegetables (State of the Environment Report 2001-2001 ^[3]).

Waste

RRU’s recycling program diverts approximately 35.5% of the university’s waste from the local landfill [6] and the composting program diverts approximately 40 000 kg from the local landfill each year [7]. RRU conducts garbage audits every year to measure their success and opportunities for improvement [8].

Purchasing

Investments

Budgeting

Offsets

Education and Research

Sustainability is a focus in RRU courses, and they offer a Master's degree in Environmental Education and Communication, and a MA/MSc degree in Environment and Management [9].

Civic and Community Engagement

Other

References

1. ↑ Royal Roads University. Environmental Stewardship Policy (# B1200), approved October 2000.
2. ↑ McElroy et. al. 2005. Royal Roads University: Progress towards Sustainability, 2004-2005 Fiscal Year. http://www.royalroads.ca/NR/rdonlyres/5D68CAC1-CF1F-46D9-BDE4-4B3816D4BDFA/0/rru_04_05_annual_report.pdf. Accessed August 2008.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Royal Roads University. State of the Environment 2001/2002 Annual Report. http://www.royalroads.ca/about-rru/governance/sustainability/annual-reports.htm. Accessed August 2008.