Building a just and sustainable future together
Environmental sustainability is embedded into our campuses, programs, and partnerships to serve our community today and for future generations. Guided by our Strategic Innovation Plan, we integrate practices that balance ecological health with social well-being, grounded in equity, accessibility, and reconciliation. These values are at the forefront of our sustainability work, ensuring environmental action goes hand in hand with social responsibility.
We’re proud to lead with results. Since 2007, we’ve completed over 50 energy-saving projects, added EV charging stations at both campuses, and cut campus energy use by 40%. These upgrades have avoided over $8 million in costs and saved enough energy to power 11,300 homes.
We’ve reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 64%, met our 2025 carbon reduction target early, and achieved carbon neutrality yearly. That’s like taking 1,300 cars off the road or planting 100,000 trees. With initiatives like Eco Grants and strong waste diversion programs, we’re turning sustainability goals into real change.
→ Explore the commitments VCC has made to sustainability
Meet the team driving sustainability at VCC
Our Environmental Sustainability Advisory Group (ESAG) brings together students, faculty, and staff to make change happen. They focus on small actions that can make a big environmental difference.
You’ll find them hosting Bee Fest to share the story of our campus bee hives or cheering on cyclists during Bike to Work Week. The group also funds Eco Grants so students’ and employees’ ideas can become real projects. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are a big part of this work. ESAG ensures interpreters are included in workshops so everyone can participate fully.
Through the ESAG, ideas turn into action, and action turns into impact.
Our progress towards a sustainable campus
Strong leadership and clear communication guide everything we do in sustainability. We’ve made significant gains in carbon reduction and energy conservation and remain committed to further cutting energy use and emissions.
Over the next five years, we’re focusing on emerging priorities like environmental education, green purchasing, waste reduction, sustainable food systems, and climate resilience, building on the work already underway.
Governance & leadership
Goal: Keep track and share our sustainability progress.
Key action: Bring on a full-time environment and sustainability manager.
Communications & engagement
Goal: Help our community understand our work and get involved.
Key action: Plan yearly sustainability communications and share campus success stories.
Environmental and education
Goal: Increase learning opportunities to boost sustainability education on campus.
Key action: Assess current courses to find and grow sustainability content.
Carbon reduction
Goal: Set new targets beyond 2025 to cut emissions and stay carbon neutral.
Key action: Expand carbon reduction efforts to include transportation, waste, and purchasing.
Energy conservation
Goal: Cut building energy use in half from 2010 levels by the end of 2025.
Key action: Build energy efficiency into every campus construction and renovation project.
Climate resilience
Goal: Learn future climate risks for our campuses and plan to reduce them.
Key action: Work with our community to create a campus-wide climate adaptation plan.
Waste management
Goal: Cut waste on campus and boost reuse, recycling and composting
Key action: Match campus recycling and composting rules to Metro Vancouver guidelines.
Sustainable food systems
Goal: Support sustainable and healthy food systems
Key action: Grow school gardens, buy local, and offer alternative proteins in our cafeterias.
Green purchasing practices
Goal: Strengthen our Green Purchasing Policy and work with our community to put it into action
Key action: Join the BCNET Sustainable Procurement Program to make our supply chain green.
Connected to our campus plan
The Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation (CCEAI) is the cornerstone of VCC’s Campus Plan. Located in the False Creek Flats District, it will revitalize our campuses and help shape a cleaner, more sustainable future for surrounding communities.
Here, students will gain hands-on training in clean energy fields that are in high demand, supporting B.C.’s labour market needs and environmental goals.
Learning for a clean tech future
As industries move toward sustainable, eco-friendly practices, education is evolving too. VCC offers programs that give students the skills to work in clean energy and green technology.
Clean energy technology program
Students gain skills in installing, maintaining, and repairing renewable energy systems. Upcoming programs, including wind turbine maintenance, will prepare graduates for high-demand jobs.
Transportation trades programs
Students work directly with electric vehicles, including fuel cell cars, compact excavators and all-electric semi trucks. This hands-on experience prepares them for the technology shaping the industry.