The Burnaby School District is being honoured for its leadership and innovation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Efficiency in Action Award from Fortis BC recognizes our efforts in saving energy, and helping BC meet its climate action goals.
The District received the “Large Commercial Customer Award” for a decade of continual focus on energy efficiency, which includes:
- identifying, planning, and managing energy conservation projects on a day-to-day basis
- building and upgrading schools to high-efficiency standards
- promoting energy efficiency with staff and students
Danielle Wensink, Fortis BC Director:
Energy efficiency remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to reduce emissions, and the year-over-year efforts of these organizations represent some of the best work we’re seeing in this area.”
Matt Foley, Alexis Takahashi, and Josh Munro – from the District’s Energy Sustainability Department – accepted the award on stage at a special event held by the energy utility. Learn more about the award.
Josh Munro, District Energy Specialist:
Creating the best possible learning environment for our students is the guiding principal for everything we do. By doing our best to make sure our buildings are safe and operating as efficiently as possible, we are helping the community as a whole.”
We are proud of our work to create a sustainable learning environment. A commitment to increase district awareness of climate change and decrease the District’s environmental impact is also a goal in our new strategic plan.
Staff and teachers are proud of the work they do together with students to support environmental awareness and sustainability. Some examples of student-led initiatives range from building school gardens, to community garbage cleanup days, to running recycling drives. The Burnaby Youth Sustainability Network (BYSN) works to raise awareness about the environment empowering students to make more sustainable life choices. It also organizes a conference held every second year.
Posted November 2019