(L-R) Jim Brinkhurst, Vice President of Finance & Administration and CFO, Savannah Snow, Students' Association President of Red Deer Polytechnic, Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic sign the SGA Accord by the United Nations. (RDP)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

On World Cities Day

Red Deer Polytechnic signs United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Accord

Oct 31, 2022 | 5:01 PM

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) officially signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGA) Accord on Monday to show their commitment to the listed initiatives as an educational institution.

The United Nations 17 Global SDG provides a structure around which post-secondary institutions can collaborate and report on their contributions to global sustainable development worldwide. Beyond environmental sustainability, they include the responsible use of resources, equality, sustainable economic growth, commitment to innovation and more.

Officials at the institution say the signing is to show the Polytechnic’s commitment to inspire, to celebrate and advance the important role that education has in achieving sustainable development goals.

“The signing of the SDG Accord is a meaningful day in the history of Red Deer Polytechnic. It is our way of demonstrating our commitment and contribution to their achievement and allows us to highlight the ways that we are making a difference toward global sustainability,” said Stuart Cullum, RDP President. “As a polytechnic institution, we are dedicated to supporting the work of our industries and communities, through our education, training and applied research programming as well as how we develop and operate our campus and serve our community of faculty and staff”.

The Accord was signed on World Cities Day, designated by the United Nations, at the Polytechnic’s Studio Residences which was named the Clean50 Top Project for 2022 for its contributions to a sustainable low-carbon Canadian economy.

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Completed in 2019, the building is covered in 545 vertical clad solar panels across three sides. With a 1 MW Combined Heat and Power Unit, these renewable energy sources provide roughly 60 per cent of the electricity demand on campus, RDP officials say. Common area windows face the south for maximization of natural light while remaining lights are LED. The building was the only North American finalist of 43 entrees in the first International Union of Architects Awards.

The theme of the Day is “Act Local to Go Global.” RDP officials say the SDG Accord emphasizes their role in inspiring and empowering local action through education, community partnerships and innovation.

While the Polytechnic claims they are a leader among post-secondary institutions in environmental sustainability, they reaffirmed their value placed in all listed goals.

For improving access to education, they say the International Education and Indigenous Initiatives departments are active in the Polytechnic community and help to support its diverse population of learners through a variety of initiatives and services. The Polytechnic also distributes more than $1 million in scholarships and bursaries annually, with the aim to reduce barriers for students to obtain a post-secondary education.

Cullum says the Child Advocacy Centre partnership provides not only a centre for the community but also a place for students to learn, connecting post-secondary education for historically underrepresented students.

READ: New home for Child Advocacy Centre and others at RDP expected to save lives

He also says that with a holistic approach to sustainability, RDP can embrace its collaborations as ways to spark innovation, to grow the economy and to expand academic opportunities.

“With the Polytechnic’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing, we are a part of a network of Technology Access Centres that help entrepreneurs and small-to-medium sized businesses bring innovative ideas to life, which align with the SDG Accord,” said Cullum. “Applied research in the Energy Innovation Centre and Alternative Energy Lab supports the diversification of Alberta’s economy, while providing valuable learning opportunities for students.”

RDP has several facilities on campus that have been recognized locally for sustainability. The Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, Alternative Energy Lab and Four Centres are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, which is globally recognized.

They state the facilities play integral roles in the Polytechnic’s Green Campus Master Plan which includes six sustainability pillars: emissions reductions, energy generation, energy storage, waste reduction, energy efficiency and educational opportunities.

“At the Polytechnic, we have progressively evolved our efforts to reduce energy consumption and costs, while increasing our on-campus renewable energy generation,” said Jim Brinkhurst, Vice President of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer. “Along with 4,200 solar panels, a combined heat and power unit, rainwater recapture, and upgrades to LED lights on campus, Red Deer Polytechnic will continue to explore ways to fulfill our vision of becoming a net zero institution by 2031.”

A net zero energy institution is one that produces all of the required electricity on site.

Savannah Snow, Students’ Association President, says she embraces the institution’s commitment to sustainability.

“The Students’ Association of Red Deer Polytechnic is thrilled to be a part of the United Nations SDG Accord,” she said. “The work that Red Deer Polytechnic does to promote sustainability is immense, and we are happy to be part of a larger movement to become fully sustainable campuses.”

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), of which RDP is a member, is part of the Endorsing Partner Network and has also committed to these goals.

RDP has joined 34 other Canadian post-secondary signatories to the SDG Accord.