A solar panel array at the Church Point campus

Our Green Commitment

A solar panel array at the Church Point campus

Université Sainte-Anne aims to be a leader in sustainable rural development and ecology. Several concrete initiatives have been undertaken over the last few years to enrich the quality of the environment in which our staff, students, partners, and community members evolve.

Map of the green facilities at the Church Point campus

In order to achieve sustainable results, the university has set the following five goals:

  • Replace aging infrastructure;
  • Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Secure savings on our energy costs;
  • Contribute to local economic development;
  • Be a community model in environmental matters.

The university, being a highly visible member of the community, will showcase these projects to all stakeholder groups in the region, illustrating the institution’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection and confirming its leadership role on these issues. These various projects will allow the university to share the resulting knowledge, technology, and specialized training with community members and partners.

Université Sainte-Anne will achieve carbon neutrality, ideally by 2030.

Energy

The most ambitious sustainable development project undertaken by our institution began in 2010, when three new renewable energy sources were put in place on the Church Point campus.

This project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90% thanks to the use of locally available renewable energy sources instead of imported non-renewable fuels. The local economy has benefitted from the employment of contractors and specialized tradespeople during the construction of the facilities and continues to benefit from sustainable jobs for locals who collect, process, and transport the biofuel.

The direct economic benefit to the university is the reduction of its operating costs, which results from the difference between the cost of biofuel/solar energy and the cost of conventional fuels. The money saved through these measures is used to fund educational programs.

Des panneaux solaires sur le campus de Pointe-de-l'Église

Solar water heating system

118 solar panels have been installed on the campus residences; these are used to heat and supply hot water to the residences.

La fournaise de biomasse

Biomass gasification furnaces

The construction of two wood chip furnaces replaced the oil furnace, which significantly reduced oil consumption and therefore CO2 emissions.

Les éoliennes au campus de Pointe-de-l'Église

Wind turbines

Two 50 kW wind turbines cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the university’s annual electricity bill by 40%.

Alternative Transportation

An electric vehicle charger was installed in the fall of 2016. This Sun Country Highway charging station (SCH40) provides 32 amps of continuous current (connected to 240 volts). It is equipped with a universal J1772 connector which ensures maximum compatibility with different vehicle makes. Recharges are free! For more information, please read the press release.

Cycling to campus is encouraged! Bike racks have been installed in visible locations to allow cyclists to securely park their bicycles. In addition, Sainte-Anne staff and students receive a discount on their membership to the Sports Centre, which gives them access to a shower and changing room.

The Student Life Department organizes public transportation for students. Throughout the year, students can benefit from organized bus trips to go grocery shopping, to go to the city, or to attend organized events.

Des étudiants monte dans l'autobus
Des piles

Waste Management

Sorting stations for recyclables, organics, and garbage are found everywhere on the Church Point campus. With good sorting, recyclable materials such as plastic, glass, metal, paper, and cardboard, and compostable items such as food scraps and compostable dishes can be properly redirected.

A recycling centre is located just outside the Magasin campus. Here you can leave the following waste materials:

  • Batteries and cell phones: Leave your rechargeable and single-use batteries as well as your old cell phones in the cardboard boxes. The items collected will be sent to be recycled and transformed into new products.
  • Non-electronic office supplies: Leave your binders, calendars, labels, staplers, hole punchers, dividers, paper cutters, correction supplies, pens, markers, paper clips, staples, and clips to keep these items out of the landfill.
  • Ink and toner cartridges: Leave your ink and toner cartridges and they will be sent to be reused.

Water

The sale of single-use water bottles is prohibited on the Church Point campus; the use of water fountains is preferred. There are currently five water dispensers (with more to come) that allow users to fill their personal reusable water bottles. Each dispenser is equipped with a digital counter that indicates the number of plastic bottles saved from waste.

Des étudiants assis devant une résidence étudiante
Deux étudiantes marchent au bord de la mer

Green Spaces

More than 5 km of trails including several loops and forest and seaside paths are found in the Petit Bois . Physical activity promotes the well-being of the university community and the general public.

When outdoor lighting must be replaced, the university is committed to installing dark-sky friendly lighting, especially since the Church Point and Tusket campuses are located in an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Students Involved on the Ground

Whether on campus or in the community, student members of ENACTUS Sainte-Anne and the Green Team engage in numerous actions to promote ecological practices: organization of a green conference in collaboration with the municipality; clean-up of the campus and the shore; creation and distribution of a green guide on ways to reduce energy consumption; collaboration with the waste management service to improve waste sorting in the residences… Our students are committed to sustainable development, and it shows!