Environmental Audit Report

A Green School Steering Committee was struck to begin work on developing the Green Plan. One of the first steps was to carry out a study to baseline and benchmark the College’s environmental performance in terms of its facilities and operational practices. A core element of this Environmental Audit was to evaluate the College’s carbon footprint.  A carbon footprint is defined as: The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

While the main focus was on emissions of greenhouse gases for which the College has direct influence, consideration was also given to some indirect emissions, such the carbon footprint associated with consumption of potable water and treatment of wastewater. Other environmental impacts associated with the College’s facilities and operations were also included, such as number of trees harvested to produce paper and paper products.

This Environmental Audit Report evaluates the carbon footprint (greenhouse gas emissions) associated with the College’s consumption of energy and water, fuel, paper and paper products, generation of waste, and recycling. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions are measured in units of metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2e. In each of these areas, key performance indicators summarize the College’s carbon footprint over a two year period, i.e., Fiscal Years 2007-08 and 2008-09, to facilitate a year over year comparison.

The chart below illustrates the breakdown of the College’s total carbon footprint in the Fiscal Year 2008-09, measured in metric tonnes of CO2e. 

In summary, in 2008-09, the greatest environmental impact of the College’s operations from a single activity or aspect of its operations can be attributed to the College’s bus fleet which accounted for 37.5% of the total or 583 metric tonnes of CO2e. Fossil fuel combustion from the school’s maintenance vehicles, transport support vehicles and staff travel together accounted for approximately 1% of the total carbon footprint.

Purchased energy (electricity and natural gas) together accounted for 58% of the total carbon footprint or 904 metric tonnes of CO2e. However, it should be pointed out that without the bus fleet, the carbon footprint associated with purchased energy would amount to approximately 93% of the College’s CO2e footprint.

The College is not a big user of water, thus this section of the carbon footprint is a minor component at 0.26%.

While the carbon footprint associated with paper consumption at the College is minor in comparison (3%), it does contribute to another kind of environmental impact-- that is harvesting of trees. On an annual basis, 265 trees are harvested to manufacture the College’s photocopy paper alone.
Interestingly, the carbon footprint associated with waste management and recycling is a negative value. In 2008-09, the College’s recycling practices actually helped to avoid approximately 15 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, the College increased its recycling by more than 8,000 kilograms, and decreased its total waste going to landfill by 15% (15,000 kilograms).  Having said that, the College’s overall recycling rate of almost 40% is low compared to the average for Toronto District School Board of 61% (2008 data) and compared to benchmark data from four other independent schools, a couple of which have attained a recycling rate of almost 80%.

The key recommendations of this report are:

Maximize Post Consumer Waste (PCW) recycled content paper, especially in photocopy paper and/or use only paper that is certified to be harvested sustainably.

Put in place a comprehensive waste management and recycling program with consistent bins a signage around the whole campus.

Carry out an education and awareness program for the whole College on the importance of recycling properly.

Investigate renewable energy options to reduce the College’s dependence on fossil fuels.