George Brown College (GBC) and the Student Association of George Brown College (SAGBC) have both been working hard to achieve more goals for a sustainable and environmentally friendly campus. To celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, both organizations are working together and separately to reach their performance metrics. 

The SAGBC funds The Dialog. 

The SAGBC signed onto the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on February 24 of this year. The SDGs consist of 17 goals that work towards eliminating economic, social, and environmental injustices worldwide. 

“[The goals] intersect with each other in such a way that once when you reduce poverty, there is zero hunger,” said Rajan. “To achieve sustainable development, we must be aware that it is related to environmental protection and climate change, as well as life on land.” 

Since the SAGBC is just beginning its operations for the 2021-2022 academic year, they are just beginning to strategize their plan for a sustainable campus.

“Since we just signed the SDG accord, we are just trying to align ourselves with the school, and then we will communicate our plans with GBC,” said Rajan. “It is really important for us to train our new board members and prepare our strategy before we reach out.” 

According to the SAGBC’s 2021 to 2023 strategy which was published in March 2021, the board of directors highlighted that their strategic priorities include student engagement, sustainability, innovation, transformation and learning, and organizational development. Some of these are about improving program and service delivery through evidence-informed approaches and exploring new ways to enhance performance and accountability measures. 

But the movement towards sustainability is just starting. 

“We cannot expect a sudden and immediate result,” said Rajan. “It is difficult to achieve all goals as the pandemic has reversed the situation, but we wouldn’t stop.” 

Although it is just the beginning, Rajan says that events to engage the students on sustainability issues are in the planning phase and more direct measures are in the works for orientation week. 

“We have seen many of our board members to be very motivated and we are working on the series and events,” said Rajan. “We are working on frosh which is eco-friendly, so students won’t be receiving the same old bags, which will suffice SDGs 11 and 12.” 

According to Rajan, the SAGBC is working hard to create more eco-friendly spaces on campus and reduce the use of plastics. 

“We are working on those spaces,” said Rajan. “We will be going through all of the details about it.” 

Along with SAGBC, the college has implemented goals with a sustainable focus. For example, GBC has launched a sustainability plan for 2022, which focuses on eco-footprint, education, and engagement. Sustainability was also a strategic consideration in the Vision 2030, Strategy 2022 plan. Currently, GBC has over 16 projects, including case studies, dedicated to sustainability.  

And along with the college, a club named the GBC Sustainability Squad has also played a role in echoing environmental issues for students. Over the past year, the club has given hot meals and winter bags during the Christmas season and hosted environmentally-focused workshops for students. According to Rajan, the SAGBC has also been inspired by them to make a change.

“We are interested in the Sustainability Squad and their events,” said Rajan. “In the future upcoming events [about sustainability], we are going to invite all of the club members and all of the faculty as well.”

However, due to the current circumstances, Rajan emphasizes that change will take time to occur at an institutional level. 

“It won’t be an immediate result, and it will take time,” said Rajan. “We are working to change our main services, aligning all of these goals will take time.” 

Moreover, instead of individual momentum, Rajan also advocates for other GBC students to join in and work towards sustainability and equality. 

“These goals aren’t limited to SAGBC and GBC but for our country and Canada,” said Rajan. “We need to be united to work again – yes. It just can’t be one of us, we need to work as a team, for our community and diversity.”