SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Laurier is embracing clean energy practices, promoting energy efficiency, conducting research, integrating sustainability into education, engaging with the community and adopting a holistic approach to sustainable energy solutions in our efforts to advance SDG 7.
See some of the work that Laurier completed in 2022 to advance SDG 7.
Laurier was named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the fourth year in a row, a reflection of the university’s continued commitment to its sustainability-focused programs and initiatives, progress in reducing its carbon footprint, and the degree to which sustainability has become a part of Laurier’s workplace culture, spanning operations, academics and community partnerships.
The accolades continue to accumulate for Laurier’s Enactus team. Led by undergraduate students dedicated to creating social change through innovation and entrepreneurship, the team earned a top-five finish at the Enactus National Competition held earlier this fall in Toronto. Enactus Laurier was represented by student-run enterprises including Kuponya Innovations. Kuponya has partnered with the community of Fort Good Hope in the Northwest Territories, where more than 50 percent of homes fail to meet one or more of Canada’s national housing standards. In consultation with architects, engineers, municipal officials, Indigenous leaders and residents, the partnership will see 20 energy-efficient tiny homes constructed with sustainable materials on climate-resilient foundations.
Adjusting humidity levels makes up most of the energy consumption in HVAC systems, the biggest energy user in a building. A Laurier-based research team suspects that the higher humidity levels on the first floor are due to more exposure to outside weather conditions, especially when both doors of the entrance are open at the same time.
Explore the work that Laurier research centres do to improve access to clean, affordable energy.
The Viessmann Centre for Engagement and Research in Sustainability (VERiS) is an interdisciplinary and community-engaged research centre striving to be a catalyst and nexus for the transition toward strong cultures of sustainability. Cultures of sustainability are grounded in principles and practices that promote environmental protection, social justice and well-being, and a supportive economy. A culture of sustainability may exist within an organization, a building with multiple organizations or a community.
The Co-operators Centre for Business and Sustainability facilitates and coordinates research related to business and environmental sustainability. The centre ensures regular communication between researchers and practitioners, including strategic decision-makers in the local sustainability community. Based in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Laurier, the centre hosts seminars, conferences and roundtables to discuss relevant topics aligned with practitioner needs and assists in disseminating research findings in a timely fashion to those who can use them.
The Interdisciplinary Research Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Modelling in Scientific Discovery, Innovation and Sustainability (MS2Discovery) connects researchers working in mathematical and statistical modelling in various disciplines, including natural sciences, technology, finance, business and economics, and social sciences. MS2Discovery strives to create a dynamic and engaging environment conducive to interdisciplinary research, collaboration and communication.
Learn more about Laurier initiatives in 2022 that helped advance SDG 7.
Sustainability is a universal concept of economic, ecological and social importance. Today’s climate of environmental challenges demand an ever-evolving approach to raise awareness and inspire action to create a more sustainable future. Laurier’s Sustainability Office is committed to this mission. Through projects that span operations, education and community partnerships, its goal is to create a culture where sustainability is embedded into university life.