Steel framework being laid for Brock’s Service Distribution Tunnel in the late-1960s, serving as the roots for the University’s evolving system to deliver energy across campus.
By: Sarah Ackles
Nestled atop the Niagara Escarpment and within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Brock University has grown in harmony with its natural surroundings over the past 60 years.
Inspired by a commitment to preserve and protect its unique campus landscape, and guided by its Carbon Reduction Plan, Brock is charting an ambitious course to achieve a 75 per cent reduction of its carbon footprint by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.
Vice-President, Administration and Services Scott Johnstone says Brock is well on its way to achieving its 2030 target thanks to years of transformative thinking and leadership. The University has already marked a 67 per cent reduction in its overall carbon emissions.
“We started off small — with initiatives such as waste diversion and recycling program improvements and high-efficiency lighting and occupancy sensing upgrades across classrooms and offices — and we’re now working to be one of the most efficient universities in the country,” he says. “It’s been quite a journey from where we started to where we are now.”
While Brock has always championed sustainability initiatives, Johnstone says significant projects within the University’s energy production and distribution portfolio beginning in 2016 provided a major lift toward reaching campus-wide sustainability goals.
Phase One (2016-17) and Two (2018-19) of the District Energy Efficiency Project (DEEP), for example, saw the upgrade of the University’s Co-generation Plant within the Central Utilities Building (CUB).
Johnstone says the DEEP significantly improved Brock’s energy efficiency, lowered emissions and created a more resilient energy system supplying reliable electricity, heat and cooling to Brock’s growing campus. In August 2020, the installation of the custom-built Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System further helped the University analyze consumption patterns and improve operational efficiency.
Completed in March, the District Energy System (DES) electrification project — which transitioned the campus’ central heating and cooling network to electric-powered chillers and boilers — marked the cumulation of nearly a decade of interconnected work on campus. It is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 13,700 tonnes by 2030 by diversifying campus heat sources and reducing Brock’s use of natural gas.
“It was a substantial endeavour that positions us as a leader in sustainability and carbon reduction,” said Drew Cullen, Interim Director, Utilities and Services. “This diversified system not only supports the campus community in achieving their best today but will also enable us to better adapt to meet changing demands and challenges in the future.”
Mary Quintana, Interim Associate Vice-President, Facilities Management, says Brock’s approach to sustainability has been iterative and multifaceted.
“Our comprehensive, triple bottom line approach that engages our community in the process has been the core strength of our sustainability program,” she says. “Brock’s long-standing history of matching incentive funding and full leadership support has allowed us to make a significant difference not only for the Niagara community, but for the world.”
Implementation of the blackPAC Distributed Energy Resource Management System and affiliated Campus Energy Dashboard, for example, provide an accessible, real-time look at campus energy consumption and emissions. Campus-wide sustainability challenges using the ecoBoss app and the community gardens project further embedded students, faculty and staff into the University’s sustainability journey.
“Change is hard, but we have a responsibility to be champions of sustainability initiatives. We’ve been working with stakeholders across the university to realize the impact of their actions and see the positive impact of working together — including small things they already do every day,” says Sustainability Coordinator Rebecca Anderson.
As Brock continues to evolve, the development of a new transit hub to reduce bus idling time and affiliated emissions, as well as retrofits and automation to improve heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and building performance are among some future initiatives that will further reduce the campus’ carbon footprint. Prioritizing the reuse of existing structures to accommodate campus expansion will also sustainably support Brock’s future growth.
Manager of Grounds Services John Dick says he has seen first-hand how the Niagara community values and respects their special place within the Niagara region.
“As the saying goes, we only have one Earth — let’s not forget that,” he says. “Our campus is so connected to nature and our community realizes the importance of preserving our own little corner of the Earth as a great place to live and study, now and in the future.”
Additional Brock sustainability highlights:
- Received the Save on Energy 2024 Energy Management Excellence Award; 2025 Clean 50 Top Project recognition; Silver rating in the Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Ranking System (STARS); and a spot in the top 400 institutions in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
- Received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts building and Silver for both the Plaza Building and International Centre.
- Has been a pesticide-free campus since 2002 and use of a passive compost system of on-site organic landscape materials.
- Adaption of xeriscaping practices focused on conserving water through the inclusion of drought-tolerant, native plants and techniques to reduce irrigation needs.
- Installation of a total of 22 Level 2 and 3 electric vehicle charging stations.
- Implementation of coffee cup recycling program and waste-sorting station.
- Installation of 44 drinking fountains and water bottle refill stations on campus.
