- Program TogglePrograms Programs
HUMBER- Quick Link ToggleQuick Links Quick Links
- Alerts
- Book a Tour
- Info for ToggleInfo for Info for
- Search
Search
HUMBERWe have made aggressive energy and climate commitments, which means we strive to build and operate low-impact campuses that support health and wellbeing, equity, diversity and inclusion, learning, innovation and community.
Our strategic priorities in Climate Action & Building Environment are:
These strategic priorities are addressed through various plans and initiatives, specificially in the Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP) and Climate Action Plan.
Transforming Heating and Cooling at North Campus
SWITCH is a bold infrastructure project that directly addresses the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions at the North Campus: the heating and cooling system. The project will reduce reliance on natural gas by switching from a steam-based system, constructed in 1972, to a modern hot water system generating heat mostly using electricity.
Watch the video to learn more about the SWITCH project.
This project is part of Humber’s Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP), an ambitious 20-year strategy guiding campus development and operations to prioritize environmental protection and the health of our communities. Greening building infrastructure is integral to climate action, as the building sector is Canada’s third highest carbon emitter (Canada Green Building Council).
SWITCH is instrumental in helping Humber reach net zero by 2050. The project is expected to reduce natural gas use at the North Campus by 70%, and will lead to a 30% reduction in the college’s overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The infrastructure that will be installed will make it easier to continue decarbonizing campus heating.
Humber is preparing for the future by retrofitting the heating and cooling system at the North Campus. SWITCH involves eliminating the current steam-based heating system and pipes, replacing them with a hot-water system and 4.5km of new piping. The project will unify heating and cooling on campus by connecting all buildings to the central plant. Additionally, by recovering heat from the cooling system, efficiency is improved. Battery storage will take advantage of off-peak benefits, when emissions from electricity are lower and energy costs are reduced.
SWITCH offers multiple Campus as a Living Lab opportunities for Humber students. Academic engagement ranges from interdisciplinary capstone projects aligned with SWITCH, work placements with the contractor, to workshops and project site tours.
The retrofit will help Humber move away from natural gas in favour of electricity to power building heating and cooling. This will help reduce emissions since Ontario has one of the cleanest energy grids in the world.
SWITCH is a collaboration between Humber and Ecosystem, an industry leading engineering and construction company that provides decarbonization solutions. The project is unique because it delivers a highly modern and efficient system as well as financial return.
SWITCH is expected to reduce the college's energy use by 15% thanks to increased efficiency and a new battery energy storage system. Energy will be stored in the batteries during off-peak periods and discharged during peak periods. With significant reductions to utility bills, the project will pay for itself over time.
Guiding campus energy efficiency
Humber is continually working to embody our institutional value to preserve our collective future. All campus development and operations begin by incorporating sustainability into the design and building process and connecting students to real-world learning opportunities. Humber's Integrated Energy Management Plan (IEMP) represents the college's long-term strategy of achieving significant reductions in energy, water, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contributes to global sustainable development goals.
Created in 2015 as a response to the climate crisis, the IEMP outlines a comprehensive plan to meet significant energy efficiency, greenhouse gas and water reduction goals by 2034. The IEMP will deliver deep retrofits to existing infrastructure and ensure new campus buildings are among the most efficient in the world.
Since 2016, Humber has implemented many deep energy retrofits, including building envelope, lighting, solar photovoltaic, water efficiency and controls retrofit projects.
The results to date, relative to the 2014-2015 baseline year, are:
reduction in energy use per square foot
reduction in water use per student
reduction in absolute GHG emissions
million saved in utility costs
Learn more about the IEMP framing goals, relative to the 2014-2015 baseline year. These goals guide energy efficiency projects on campus.
Humber will offer world-class courses addressing integrated energy, water and climate solutions covering social, policy, economic and technical aspects to meet the needs of the future.
Humber will reduce energy use per squarefoot by 50% and align with global best-practice in energy efficiency, by 2034.
Humber will reduce potable water use per student by 50% and align with global best-practice in water efficiency, by 2034.
Humber will reduce Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 30%, by 2034. Aligning with the UN Paris Agreement targets.
Humber will achieve an Investment Rate of Return of at least 7% on all IEMP project investments.
An extension of Humber’s Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP), the Climate Action Plan addresses the greenhouse gas emissions that Humber owns, has control over, or are from the generation of purchased energy. It extends its reach to encompass emissions that are green-house gases associated with Humber, yet not directly owned or controlled by it - such as commuting, waste, food, and paper use.
Humber’s Green Building Standards mandate sustainability requirements for Humber’s construction projects, including mandatory zero carbon and LEED Platinum certification, stringent energy use targets, high performance building envelopes, and resiliency.
