Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to raising awareness and inspiring action to create a more sustainable future, which is also a key element of the Laurier Strategy 2019-2024. This encourages our community to lead in environmental sustainability of our campuses and inspire the incorporation of sustainable practices in society and the economy. Through projects that span operations, education and community partnerships, our goal is to create a culture where sustainability is embedded into university life. We look to inspire, educate, and equip our community to engage in initiatives that offer a sustainable future.

Sustainability success stories at Laurier include:

$48 million capital retrofit project, Laurier Energy Efficiency Program (LEEP), including two solar thermal walls, 15,000 LED light replacements, 1,300 low-flow water fixtures, and a microgrid system with a 6 MW battery storage

Four-time recipient of Canada’s Greenest Employers recognition

Installation of 11 electric vehicle charging stations

Clean50 2022 Top Project recognition

Signing the Investing to Address Climate Change: A Charter for Canadian Universities, resulting in a 40% greenhouse gas endowment reduction by 2030

Carbon Reduction Roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050

Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Gold rating achievement

Laurier plays a critical role in preparing the next generation of leaders who can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 by advancing awareness and actions on campus (focused on Operations, Academic, Engagement, and Investment & Finance) and within the community.

Lloyd Noronha
VP, Finance and Administration
Finance and Administration ,  Wilfrid Laurier University



Jonathan Newman
VP, Research
Office of Research Services,  Wilfrid Laurier University



Ulrike Gross
AVP, Facilities and Asset Management
Facilities and Asset Management ,  Wilfrid Laurier University



Phil Champagne
Executive Director and COO, Wilfrid Laurier University Students' Union
Students' Union ,  Wilfrid Laurier University



Ellen Menage
Executive Director and COO, Grad Students Association
Grad Students Association ,  Wilfrid Laurier University



Eric Meliton
Manager, Sustainability Office
Facilities and Asset Management ,  Wilfrid Laurier University

Laurier’s sustainability vision is to transform into an institution that integrates sustainability practices into all areas. This vision is to inspire, educate, and equip students, faculty, and staff towards an overall culture of sustainability that aligns with the 2019-2024 Strategy. Institutional integration amongst student, staff, and faculty for sustainability centred goals and actions requires collective action and mobilization.

Food insecurity is a sustainability issue that impacts many Laurier students who are feeling the impacts of higher food prices and the rising costs of living. With the inception of the Grad Students Association’s Mini Market, student shopers can now pay what they can for food items, privately having the option to choose from four affordable price points. The Mini Market offers fresh produce, canned and dried goods, and hygiene products. Through internal collaboration and resource sharing, the Mini Market serves as a flagship leadership program that integrates overlapping efforts run by other internal groups:

Sustainability Office’s student engagement programming and Northdale Community Garden
Matin Luther University College’s Free Weekly Distro
Wilfrid Laurier University’s Students’ Union Food Bank
Wellness Hub’s Brantford Breakfast Bar
Wellness Education Centre’s Brantford Food Pantry and Fresh Fruit Fridays
Indigenous Student Centres’ kitchen access for students

By maximizing internal resource capacity and limiting duplication, students can be effectively reached and supported by these efforts through education, awareness, and program access. Student food insecurity affects the entire Laurier community and is a universal issue that we can collectively address through continued expansion of these integrated efforts.