{"id":104872,"date":"2025-09-29T13:51:33","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T17:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=104872"},"modified":"2025-09-29T16:04:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T20:04:19","slug":"spark-initiative-to-position-brock-as-global-leader-in-climate-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2025\/09\/spark-initiative-to-position-brock-as-global-leader-in-climate-action\/","title":{"rendered":"SPARK initiative to position Brock as global leader in climate action"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new Brock University initiative is fuelling efforts to reduce the institution\u2019s carbon footprint and impact on the planet.<\/p>\n

Now underway, SPARK (sustainability, performance, adaptation, renewal and knowledge) is a three-year clean infrastructure program that supports current University needs while also advancing Brock\u2019s commitment to build a sustainable future.<\/p>\n

The energy retrofit will enable Brock to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions by 83 per cent by 2028, surpassing the University\u2019s initial target of a 75 per cent reduction by 2030 (compared to a 2013 baseline). The initiative will also cut energy usage by 60 per cent.<\/p>\n

SPARK will address deferred capital renewal and operational inefficiencies faced by the University, leveraging the Canadian Infrastructure Bank\u2019s low-interest carbon fund in partnership with Enbridge Sustain through an energy-as-a-service funding model. This approach will move the retrofit forward without upfront capital costs from the University.<\/p>\n

\u201cSPARK builds on Brock\u2019s legacy of climate action<\/a> and positions the University as a global post-secondary leader in sustainability and carbon reduction,\u201d says Scott Johnstone, Vice-President, Administration and Services. \u201cThrough adaptive thinking and innovative solutions, we\u2019re prepared to address the challenges of today while creating a better tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

To enable an energy-as-a-service solution, facility renewal will take place in spaces across campus, including the Walker Sports Complex, Arthur Schmon Tower, Thistle Complex, Robert S.K. Welch Hall and Mackenzie Chown Complex, among others. Work will also take place on Brock\u2019s District Energy Network.<\/p>\n

SPARK will see lights across campus converted to LED, new efficient hot water heat pumps installed and building automation system controls optimized, among other upgrades. New air handling units will be installed in several buildings across campus and new fume hoods installed in the Mackenzie Chown Complex.<\/p>\n

Design is underway, with consultants conducting site visits and inspections across campus. The initiative\u2019s completion date is planned for 2028.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur modernized systems will not only meet today\u2019s needs but will deliver reliable, cost-effective operations that strengthen our academic and research mission,\u201d says Mary Quintana, Interim Associate Vice-President, Facilities Management. \u201cWe will deliver both energy performance, with savings through efficiencies, and building performance, fostering an improved student experience with healthier and more comfortable spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n

SPARK will improve system performance across campus and prepare Brock to thrive in the face of future climate risks and uncertainties, Quintana says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not only about infrastructure renewal; it\u2019s about breathing new life into Brock and our community, ensuring that our spaces match the ambition and excellence of our people,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

For more information about the SPARK initiative, contact facilities.management@brocku.ca<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A new Brock University initiative is fuelling efforts to reduce the institution\u2019s carbon footprint and impact on the planet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":104874,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7484,3319,4052,4767,1],"tags":[53,7628,5536,14863],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104872"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104872"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104875,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104872\/revisions\/104875"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}