Carleton’s sustainability commitment is embedded across teaching and learning, research and operations. Our key strategic plans and policies provide a framework for our work, while our reporting allows us to share successes, benchmark progress, and showcase best practices.
Sustainability Related Plans
Sustainability Plan – Strive for Sustainability
Carleton’s new Sustainability Plan, ‘Strive for Sustainability’ is a comprehensive sustainability plan for 2020-25. Developed with input from the Carleton community, the plan establishes key themes, goals, and strategic actions that will guide our efforts to become a leader in addressing sustainability challenges and meeting the goals of our Strategic Integrated Plan. Learn more about the plan here.
Energy Master Plan 2021-26
The updated Energy Master Plan 2021-26 supports our wider Sustainability Strategic Plan. It provides an update on our progress and outlines our goals and objectives towards a carbon-neutral campus. Focused on carbon reduction, the plan aims to manage, conserve, and reduce our energy consumption. Learn more about the plan here.
Campus Master Plan
Since the launch of the first campus master plan in 2010, Carleton University has evolved significantly. This includes the construction of Richcraft Hall, Canal Building, and the new Health Sciences building. The purpose of the plan is to set parameters, policies, and directions for the physical development of the campus. Learn more about the plan here.
Transportation Plan
Carleton University has developed a multi-year transportation strategy for the campus. This strategy takes into account all modes of transportation and how members of the community move around our campus. Learn more about the plan here.
Outdoor Space Master Plan
Carleton University has developed an Outdoor Space Master Plan to help us better plan and develop the outdoor spaces on campus. This plan provides a comprehensive vision for the future of our campus grounds, taking into account the needs of our community and the natural environment. Learn more about the plan here.
Annual Reports
Going Greener 2018
The Council of Ontario Universities Going Greener report demonstrates how universities’ environmental sustainability initiatives support students, communities, the province and beyond. Learn more here.
Sustainability Annual Report
The Sustainability Carleton Annual Report provides an update on key progress over the past 12 months, including key metrics and programs. Check out the most recent update here.
External Benchmarking
Carleton’s sustainability programs are recognized and benchmarked for best practices in third-party rating systems.
STARS
In 2022 Carleton achieved a Gold STARS rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), an in-depth program for higher education administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS is intended to engage and recognize the full spectrum of higher education institutions, from community colleges to research universities. Learn more about STARS here.
UI Green Metric
Carleton University has participated in the UI Green Metric World University Rankings since 2016. The rankings, launched in 2010, provide a uniform program to review sustainability commitments, programs and progress in the university setting. In 2022, Carleton was ranked 49th internationally and 2nd in Canada for our efforts. Learn more about UI Green Metric here.