The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers by Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes employers across Canada who demonstrate exceptional leadership in developing green initiatives and creating a culture of environmental awareness across their organizations. BCIT was specifically acknowledged for its holistic approach to sustainability.
A holistic approach to sustainability
As one of BC’s largest post-secondary institutes with five campuses and over 45,000 students enrolled each year, BCIT has a responsibility as an employer and as an educator to care for the future of the planet, including its people. For this reason, sustainability at BCIT is more than just being a green employer.
Sustainability at BCIT involves putting people at the forefront of all that the Institute does. It encompasses a holistic perspective to strategic initiatives that are intertwined with equity, diversity, and inclusivity, Indigenization, and sustainability. This ensures the planet, people, and all living things thrive.
“A lot of people think sustainability is just about being green, but at BCIT, we don’t separate green from the social justice agenda because they’re inherently tied together,” explains Dr. Jennie Moore, Director, Institute Sustainability.
By implementing sustainable best practices, BCIT aims to positively influence the actions of students, staff, faculty, and industry partners to create a better tomorrow for generations to come.
“As an Institute that educates and has the power to effect change in multiple other organizations, the requirement for us is that much higher,” adds Jennifer Figner, Provost and Vice President, Academic.
Read the full article from Canada’s Top 100 Employers about the holistic approach that BCIT takes to sustainability.
Since launching the BCIT Sustainability Vision in 2020, the Institute has made significant advances in supporting the social and economic prosperity of BC.
Quick facts:
- BCIT Centre for Ecocities: Worked with over 30 municipalities across BC to measure their consumption-based carbon and ecological footprints and help plan transformations to sustainable living.
- BCIT Zero Energy/Emissions Building Learning (ZEB) Centre: Over 640 customized trainings delivered to industry in the past year, which included workshops on the BC Energy Step Code and Net Zero Energy-ready construction.
- BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing: Affordable and sustainable housing for 470 BCIT students. It also serves as a Living Lab for BCIT students, faculty, and industry partners.