40SPONSOR CONTENTCANADA'S GREENEST EMPLOYERS (2025)Humber sets a new standard for sustainabilityHumber Polytechnicin Toronto is on trackto be the among thefirst polytechnicinstitutions inCanada to hit net-zero carbon in2029. The institution is set to meetthis target by following its ClimateAction Plan, a strategy to achievesignificant reductions ingreenhouse gas emissions.As a professor at Humber,Dragos Paraschiv is preparingstudents for a career in the field ofsustainable energy. He is excited tosee that this commitment tosustainability goes beyond theclassroom and is an importantvalue to the Humber organizationitself.decarbonization efforts prioritizethe transition from natural gas toefficient electric-based heatingsystems across its three campuses.These projects will eliminate mostof the fossil-fuel-based heatingsources on campus, includinginstallation of a geothermalsystem at its North Campus andconversion from natural gas toelectric heating supplying many ofits buildings across the campuses.“Sustainability leadershipmeans setting the bar high andthen surpassing it,” says AnnMarie Vaughan, president andCEO. “Humber’s commitment tonet zero in 2029 is about showingwhat’s possible and challengingothers to step up and do the same.Humber is demonstrating thatinstitutions can move faster, actsmarter, and inspire real changeby committing to sustainableinnovation at every level."The institution is also focusingon the development of academicprograms and professionallearning opportunities related to agreen economy.Paraschiv says students in hisprogram work on real projectswith industry partners, such aspartnering with the City ofToronto to perform energy auditson City facilities. “This givesstudents the chance to practicetheir academic knowledgeacquired from courses in a realbuilding and to calculate energysavings opportunities and do aneconomic analysis of the proposedmeasures.”Students also work withHumber facilities staff, forexample, analyzing energy use of abuilding after a retrofit. “Theseprojects allow our students to seehow, when systems operate in anefficient way, it results in bettercomfort for occupants, moreefficient buildings, lower costs forbuilding owners and reducedgreenhouse gas emissions,”Paraschiv says. “They see thatwhat they learn is feasible and seehow it is making a difference.”Humber is demonstratingthat institutions can movefaster, act smarter, andinspire real change bycommitting to sustainableinnovation at every level.— Ann Marie VaughanPresident and CEO“This is the field I teach in, soseeing it come to life in thebuildings where I work is anincredible experience,” saysParaschiv, a professor in theSustainable Building Engineeringprogram in the Faculty ofApplied Sciences & Technology.Humber embeds sustainabilityinto everything, from operationsto academic programming, toensure students and partners areprepared for the transition to agreen economy. Its Humber Polytechnic works with industry partners, like the City of Toronto, to perform energy audits and otherenvironmentally-focused projects.
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