Red Deer Polytechnic has received international recognition for its sustainability initiatives.
On Monday, the post-secondary institution announced it was recognized by the 2023 Green Gown Awards with a Highly Commended Award in the 2030 Climate Action category. RDP was the only Canadian post-secondary institution in that category and one of only two Canadian finalists across all eight categories.
“It is an honour to be recognized globally as a post-secondary leader in environmental sustainability and energy innovation,” says RDP president Stuart Cullum.
“We will continue to collaborate with industry and communities in seeking innovative solutions to achieve both energy and climate security in Alberta and beyond.”
The International Green Gown Awards program is led by The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education and is supported by the UN Environment Programme.
The International Green Gown Awards, in association with Allianz Global Investors, were established in 2004. The awards recognize exceptional sustainability initiatives by post-secondary institutions around the world.
This year, RDP was among 93 finalists from 25 countries that were nominated in eight categories.
The Highly Commended Award for 2030 Climate Action recognized the innovative infrastructure projects undertaken at RDP as part of the institution’s Green Campus Master Plan, which was developed in 2021.
“Our Green Campus Master Plan details the tangible actions we are taking to make our campus more environmentally sustainable,” says Mandeep Parmar, RDP director of campus management.
“By focusing on emissions reduction, energy generation and storage, and waste reduction, we not only make sustainability central to design and planning, we also create educational opportunities for students in the process.”
RDP has previously won national and international recognition for several energy-efficient buildings on its main campus:
- The Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre received a gold ranking in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED);
- The Polytechnic’s Alternative Energy Lab is a LEED-Silver facility;
- RDP’s newest Studio Residence building contributed to the institution being honoured with five previous sustainability awards.
These projects, along with the installation of more than 4,000 solar panels, as well as a Combined Heat and Power Unit, are reducing RDP’s energy consumption and contributing to the polytechnic becoming a net zero energy institution by 2031.
For more information about RDP’s sustainability, including its Green Campus Master Plan, visit rdpolytech.ca/sustainability.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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