The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), a program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), is used for measuring sustainability at UNB. STARS is a transparent, self-reporting, sustainable assessment tool for universities and colleges, that has been used by over 900 institutions worldwide.
The following are a few of the actions that contributed to UNB Fredericton achieving a Silver STARS rating:
The STARS rating that UNB receives gives recognition of our sustainability efforts, representing, not replacing, the goal of becoming a sustainable institution.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an industry building rating system that is recognized as the international mark of excellence for green buildings in over 132 countries. The LEED rating system evaluates six aspects of building design and construction: site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials used, indoor environmental quality, and innovation. There are four possible levels of certification through LEED: certified, silver, gold and platinum.
The Hans W. Klohn Commons building on the University of New Brunswick Saint John campus has achieved LEED gold certification. The design and construction of the Commons has resulted in a number of environmental efficiencies and cost savings to the university, which ultimately led to the gold certification. These include:
The Hans W. Klohn Commons is one of only five LEED NC GOLD certified projects in New Brunswick and the only university building in New Brunswick with any level of LEED certification. The Commons opened in September 2011 and is the essential gathering place for students on the UNB Saint John campus. It offers the latest in technology, writing and library services, as well as high-quality learning and research facilities.
Building Environmental Standards (BESt) is a national program that was launched in 2005 by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). The program addresses the necessity for standards concerning energy and environmental performance of existing buildings. It operates through an assessment and certification process, focusing on the following six key areas of environmental performance: energy, water, waste reduction and site enhancement, emissions and effluents, indoor environment and air quality, and environmental management systems. Through this process, BOMA BESt hopes to transform buildings into environmentally responsible assets.
The University of New Brunswick is committed to improving the campus through environmentally conscious and sustainable measures. With the use of the BOMA BESt program, registered buildings receive a certification score as well as recommendations for improvement. This leverages an understanding of how buildings are performing and indicates opportunities for improvement.
UNB Fredericton has received the following certification scores: