Sustainability at KPU
KPU signed the Global Universities and Colleges Climate Letter in 2019, committing to achieve carbon neutrality by no later than the year 2050. KPU is also a signatory to the SDG Accord, a commitment by learning institutions across the world to advance the delivery of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and to annually share our progress and learnings both nationally and internationally.
Campus and Community Planning is responsible for KPU’s sustainable development and design efforts. The KPU2050 Official Campus Plan Sustainability Framework provides a greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy, timeline and targets, as well as a holistic framework for sustainability advancement.
The sustainability framework establishes the collaborative steps needed to create a holistically sustainable KPU. It builds upon an existing foundation of employee and student-led sustainability commitments and initiatives that already positively shape our campus culture, identity, and sustainability impacts.
Sustainability Framework
The goal of the KPU 2050 Official Campus Plan Sustainability Framework is to have carbon-neutral campuses by 2050. The sustainability framework also aims to make sustainability visible, celebrated, and ubiquitous across KPU.
This framework includes four domains of sustainability action areas: governance, academics, physical campus, and operations. As the campus plan is implemented, each domain will follow strategic recommendations from the framework for continued and improved campus sustainability performance.
In preparing this framework, we understand that the advancement of sustainability is an ongoing and evolving commitment. Campus and Community Planning will ensure implementation of the KPU2050 Official Campus Plan adheres to the sustainability framework and meets KPU's sustainability policies and standards.
KPU Ride to Thrive Month - Oct. 2023
Throughout October 2023, the Campus and Community Planning team celebrated environmental wellness and hosted on-campus engagement activities as part of KPU’s Thrive Month. Students, faculty, and staff were invited to provide input on KPU’s upcoming student housing project and share their personal vision for a sustainable KPU.
In collaboration with the Kwantlen Student Association, Campus and Community Planning hosted its inaugural Ride to Thrive day, an event dedicated to sustainable transportation. In partnership with HUB Cycling, KPU Surrey campus hosted a Celebration Station for Go by Bike Week, providing free bike maintenance, cycling information and resources for safer cycling. TransLink joined as another community partner, celebrating the announcement of the new R6 Rapid Bus, a 12-kilometer route running from Scott Road Skytrain Station to the Newton bus exchange, with a brand-new stop on 72nd Avenue right in front of KPUs Surrey Campus. The Campus and Community Planning Department would like to thank the 100+ students, faculty, and staff who shared their personal stories, valuable feedback, and enthusiasm for a sustainable KPU.
For a full view of the informational boards, please click on the images below:
