Vanier: Cégep Vert 2019-2020 Excellence level

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For the 8th consecutive year, Cégep Vert has recognized Vanier College’s efforts towards improving sustainability. On September 10th, ENvironnement JEUnesse (ENJEU) announced that Vanier College had maintained the Excellence Level certification as a Cégep Vert du Québec 2019-2020. Vanier also received a Special Mention for the Food Forest/50 trees/Biodiversity education component of Richard Klopp's “Sustainability in Action” course in the Architectural Technology Program.

To obtain a Cégep Vert du Québec (Excellence Level) certification, the Vanier College Advisory Committee on the Environment was extremely active. Among other things, the VCACE recommended and presented, in collaboration with teachers in the Sustainability Action Group, the proposal that the College sign on to the UN Climate Accord Letter, committing Vanier to going carbon neutral, and increasing skill development, research, education and engagement in sustainability. In fact, Vanier’s new Health, Safety and Sustainability Manager was hired to manage this process and will oversee the cegep’s 2020 Environmental Assessment and carry out a comprehensive carbon audit so that Vanier can set a target date for carbon neutrality.

The VCACE also approved guidelines for the VIE Fund and will oversee the promotion and allocation of the fund for student-centered projects starting in 2020-21. In addition, it organized 36 awareness activities and 35 learning opportunities, from small group workshops to larger group presentations, all of which adhered to the principles of “savoir, savoir faire, savoir être.”

After a year of consultation with the borough, Vanier has officially started composting with the Arrondissement St-Laurent. Starting with the Cafeteria and Jake’s Café, composting will gradually be expanded over the coming years as more opportunities for composting material on campus are facilitated.

These are just some of the highlights of Vanier’s sustainability accomplishments this past year, and with others plans for the future, the work is not over and there is more to come.

Congratulations to the VCACE, to all those responsible for Vanier’s achievements this past year and to Vanier teachers and the “Sustainability in Action” students for the Honorable Mention their project received.