AASHE STARS

Langara College proudly holds a STARS Silver rating in recognition of our sustainability achievements.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) created the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) to provide colleges and universities with a transparent framework for measuring their sustainability performance. 

Langara is an AASHE member and began pursuing a STARS rating in 2019. We earned a Silver rating in 2021, reflecting our sustainability efforts in campus design, energy management, academic offerings, and community programming.

UN SDGs

snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College answers the call from United Nations to advance sustainability for a more just, equitable, and green future. In 2023 Langara's President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns signed the UN SDG Accord on behalf of the institution. By signing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Accord, Langara College declares our steadfast commitment towards sustainability. 

The SDG Accord advances education's critical role in achieving the United Nation's 17 goals. The Accord is also a commitment between learning institutions to share achievements, goals, and learnings with each other — nationally and internationally. 

Langara College has continuously led environmental sustainability initiatives, earning distinctions and awards for our green buildings and infrastructure. We also recognize that a sustainable future includes peace, safety, and wellbeing for all. 

The College belongs to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and holds a STARS silver rating [link to SDG page]. As we continue to pursue STARS excellence, the sustainability achievements that STARS measures also contribute to our progress towards UN SDGs. The AASHE STARS and the UN SDG Accord are mutually beneficial programs for educational institutions. We will use the STARS framework to report on our contributions to the SDGs.

Climate Change Accountability Reports

Since 2008, under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act, all public sector organizations have reported annually on their plans and actions taken to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Since 2010, all public sector organizations also report their total GHG emissions for the calendar year as well as offset investments made to achieve net-zero emissions. These reports are known as Climate Change Accountability Reports (CCARs). These reports were previously known as Carbon Neutral Action Reports.

Latest report

Last updated June 2025

Langara College's 2024 Climate Change Accountability Report is now available.

Download the Report

Key Highlights from the 2024 Report:

  • Langara is on track to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030–20 years ahead of Canada’s national target.
  • Total GHG emissions for 2024 is 1,182 tCO2—a 20 per cent decrease from 2022.
  • Building energy use accounts for 97 per cent of Langara’s emissions.
  • Paper supply consumption has decreased by 78 per cent since 2016.
  • 31 per cent of food on campus is locally sourced.
  • Completed in 2023, our Central Heating Plant Project is projected to save 25 per cent in emissions compared to our 2019 baseline.
  • A total of 46 EV charging stations on campus are projected to generate $100,000 annually in carbon credits via the BC Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
  • 2024 GHG Emissions offsets of $31,027.50.