{"id":106265,"date":"2025-11-26T13:53:34","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T18:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=106265"},"modified":"2026-03-02T16:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T21:38:21","slug":"sparks-fly-as-brock-launches-100m-sustainability-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2025\/11\/sparks-fly-as-brock-launches-100m-sustainability-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Sparks fly as Brock launches $100M sustainability initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the flip of a switch, Brock officially embarked on a more than $100-million journey that will reimagine campus sustainability and position the University as a leader in climate action.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A celebration was held Tuesday, Nov. 25 to mark the launch of the SPARK (sustainability, performance, adaptation, renewal and knowledge) initiative, which will drastically reduce Brock\u2019s carbon footprint and accelerate achievement of its sustainability goals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSPARK is exactly what its name suggests: a catalyst \u2014 for ideas, for collaboration, for change,\u201d says Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg. \u201cIt brings together our people,\u202four partners and our\u202fpriorities\u202fin a way that ignites this transformative new chapter of Brock\u2019s unwavering commitment to shaping a resilient, sustainable future for generations to come.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The three-year clean infrastructure program was brought to life through an innovative partnership between Brock, the Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Enbridge Sustain.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SPARK will see campus greenhouse gas emissions reduced 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

Brock welcomed representatives from partnering organizations Canadian Infrastructure Bank and Enbridge Sustain to celebrate the launch of SPARK.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s worth repeating: an 83 per cent reduction, two years ahead of schedule \u2014 something no other university is Canada is currently positioned to do,\u201d Rigg says. \u201cThis is the scale of bold transformation we\u2019re driving.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SPARK will revitalize Brock\u2019s main campus, modernizing its core systems through a more than $100-million investment in critical infrastructure. By leveraging the Canadian Infrastructure Bank\u2019s low-interest carbon fund and Enbridge Sustain\u2019s technical expertise, the retrofit will move forward without upfront capital costs to the University.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Facility renewal will take place in buildings across campus, with lights converted to LED, new efficient hot water heat pumps installed and building automation system controls optimized, among other upgrades. New air handling units and fume hoods will also be installed in select campus buildings.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking ahead to 2034, the initiative is projected to reduce Brock\u2019s deferred capital renewal by more than $225 million, improving the long-term health of campus infrastructure.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSPARK will set Brock up for continued success, ensuring that both now and into the future we\u2019re meeting the needs of students, staff, faculty and community members who rely on our campus facilities each day,\u201d <\/span>says Scott Johnstone, Vice-President, Administration and Services. \u201cThis initiative will fuel <\/span>sustainable change in an innovative way, building on Brock\u2019s <\/span>legacy of climate action<\/span><\/a> and emphasizing the critical role universities play in leading the way to a sustainable future.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SPARK will also create opportunities for knowledge transfer by using the campus as a living lab for teaching and research\u00a0through case studies, class projects and site visits.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The initiative demonstrates all that can be accomplished when organizations work together towards the common goal of driving meaningful environmental change.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Guests at Brock’s SPARK launch had the opportunity to tour the University\u2019s facilities and learn more about the upgrades that will take place across campus.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cKudos to Brock University and the SPARK team for upgrading campus infrastructure with deep energy retrofits,\u201d says Dima Zreik, Director, Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank. \u201cAt CIB, we\u2019re pleased to work with the experts at Enbridge Sustain \u2014 a resource Brock University has tapped into \u2014 to advance projects across Canada which cut building emissions and reduce energy consumption.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt Enbridge Sustain, our\u202fobjective\u202fis clear: to advance decarbonization while ensuring energy\u202fremains\u202faffordable and reliable,\u201d said Mark Irvine, Vice President, Enbridge Sustain. \u201cThrough collaboration with Brock and CIB, SPARK is a living example of what we can\u202faccomplish\u202fwhen we work together \u2014 translating goals into reality, with tangible outcomes that will benefit students, faculty and staff for years to come.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Several Brock projects aimed at reducing Brock\u2019s carbon footprint and better positioning the institution for future success have been made possible in recent years with government support, including the <\/span>District Energy Efficiency Project<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Co-generation Plant upgrade<\/span><\/a>, both which have significantly enhanced Brock\u2019s ability to operate sustainability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to be a part of this transformative initiative that will not only reduce Brock\u2019s environmental impact and improve the campus for the next generation of learners but also serve as an example for post-secondary institutions across Canada,\u201d says Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines. \u201cThe future is bright at Brock.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To learn more, visit <\/span>brocku.ca\/spark<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t