Affordable and Clean Energy

This societal impact focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. 

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today and access to energy for all is essential.  Lakehead University is actively promoting and supporting clean energy initiatives through research, outreach, and by changing our own behaviours and practices in areas including investments and usage. 

University Measures Towards Affordable Clean Energy 

7.2.1 Energy-efficient renovation and building

Does your university as a body have a policy in place for ensuring all renovations / new builds are following energy efficiency standards? (relevant standards to be indicated)

Lakehead University follows the energy efficiency standards framework for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving green buildings set by the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System and its associated Reference Guide for all new construction and major capital renovations, as demonstrated through the university’s Sustainable Building Policy  (last reviewed in 2025), which stipulates:  

• All major projects must meet LEED Gold (Thunder Bay) or Platinum (Orillia)

• LEED includes criteria for energy efficiency and performance

• Life cycle cost analysis is required to support long-term energy savings

• Applies to all university departments and facilities campus-wide

The Sustainable Building Policy is publicly available on Lakehead University’s official policies and procedures website under the Space & Property section. 

Commitments to sustainable building through energy-efficient practices are also articulated in the university’s  Sustainability Plan, which includes commitments to reduce building energy consumption and focuses on energy efficiency and conservation strategies, including building temperature standards, LED lighting, passive solar heating, smart energy metering and management systems.  

7.2.2 Upgrade buildings to higher energy efficiency

Does your university as a body have plans to upgrade existing buildings to higher energy efficiency?

Lakehead's Sustainable Building Policy mandates that all retrofits and major renovations of existing buildings adhere to the energy efficiency standards required by the internationally accepted third-party Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.  The Orillia campus aims for LEED Platinum certification, while the Thunder Bay campus targets LEED Gold.

Lakehead University's Sustainability Plan also supports the commitment to reduce the total building energy consumption per gross square foot of conditioned floor area comparable to the other leading universities in Ontario, along with supporting the development and use of energy from clean and renewable sources. This commitment is overseen by the Sustainability Executive Advisory Committee and the Sustainability Stewardship Council at Lakehead University.  

This policy is publicly available on Lakehead University’s official website under the Space & Property section.  

7.2.3 Carbon reduction and emission reduction process

Does your university as a body have a process for carbon management and reducing carbon dioxide emissions?

As part of Lakehead University's Conservation and Demand Management Plan, the university provides a summary of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for its operations, as well as current and proposed measures for reducing the amount of energy used and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.   

The university is committed to being as efficient as possible in its use of energy and natural resources in order to minimize its impact on the environment through carbon emissions and energy costs. Major changes will be required in the longer term in order to achieve these aims. As such, the university will explore the following strategies outlined in the university’s Sustainability Plan:

• Reduce energy consumption through a targeted programme of communications and education to minimize usage and improve efficiency.

• Set agreed targets for stabilizing and reducing site energy consumption and carbon emissions.  

• Monitoring, measuring and reporting on energy use, cost and carbon emissions in all parts of the university.

• Develop an ongoing programme of preventative maintenance in order to improve the efficiency of the campus's centralized energy and heat transmission.

7.2.4 Plan to reduce energy consumption

Does your university as a body have an energy efficiency plan in place to reduce overall energy consumption?

As part of Lakehead University's Conservation and Demand Management Plan, the university provides a summary of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for its operations, as well as current and proposed measures for reducing the amount of energy used and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Lakehead University’s energy management strategy extends to both of its campuses.  Its main focus is to reduce building energy usage and support renewable sources.  The university relies on established principles and best practices to reduce its energy use with continuous improvement in optimizing existing assets and processes, piloting new technology, and increasing awareness of ongoing initiatives.  More information about Lakehead’s energy commitments can be found in the Sustainability Plan. 

7.2.5 Energy wastage identification

Does your university as a body undergo energy reviews to identify areas where energy wastage is highest?

Lakehead University continues to monitor and manage its energy use to maintain the reductions achieved over fifteen years ago when the university reduced its natural gas consumption by 45% and its electrical demand and consumption by 18%. Lakehead University's goal is to maintain a leadership role in the Ontario University system as one of the lowest energy-intensity campuses in Ontario.

Lakehead University's Conservation and Demand Management Plan and the Sustainability Plan articulate the commitment to conduct building energy audits to identify key areas for energy reduction priorities. 

7.2.6 Divestment policy

Does your university as a body have a policy on divesting investments from carbon-intensive energy industries especially coal and oil?

Lakehead University’s Responsible Investment Policy (last updated in 2022), supports divestment from carbon-intensive industries, including coal and oil, as part of a broader commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The policy includes a structured framework for considering divestment and outlines clear criteria for responsible investment decisions aligned with fiduciary duties.

• University commits to integrating ESG factors per the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment

• Fossil-free donor option and endowment fund have been developed

• Board approved goal to achieve full fossil fuel divestment by the end of the Strategic Plan 

• Policy supports responsible fund manager selection and divestment where ESG concerns are significant and justified

Lakehead University has also signed the Investing to Address Climate Change: A Charter for Canadian Universities, which represents a commitment by its signatory institutions to become stewards of long-term investments and efforts that act proactively and constructively to address the challenges posed by climate change. Signatories commit to adhering to the following principles and practices, and encourage other universities to do the same:

1. Adopt a responsible investing framework to guide investment decision-making, in line with recognized standards such as the UN-supported Principles of Responsible Investment (UN-PRI).
2. Regularly measure the carbon intensity of our investment portfolios, and set meaningful targets for their reduction over time
3. Evaluate progress towards these objectives on a regular basis, and share the results of such assessments publicly
4. Ensure that the performance evaluation of our investment managers takes into account their success in achieving such objectives, alongside the other criteria for assessing their performance 

Lakehead University confirmed its leadership on climate change in December 2020 by announcing its decision to divest its endowment from fossil fuel stocks, becoming the sixth Canadian university to take this step.  

By December 2022, Lakehead University had successfully completed its divestment, achieving this milestone ahead of schedule.  In 2023–2024, Lakehead University continued to demonstrate its climate leadership by monitoring the impact of its divestment, and updating stakeholders on its responsible investment practices.

Energy and the Community

7.4.1 Local community outreach for energy efficiency

Does your university as a body provide programmes for local community to learn about importance of energy efficiency and clean energy?

Lakehead University is actively engaged in educating the local community about the significance of clean energy and  energy efficiency. This is exemplified by various initiatives and research centres dedicated to these topics.

In 2023-24, Lakehead University hosted an SDG Week, a national collaboration featuring workshops, panels and other interactive programming to increase awareness of and engagement with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.  The week featured a “Energy on Campus Talk” that highlighted energy-saving and energy-efficient technologies being used and implemented on Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus.

The Lakehead University Office of Sustainability and the City of Thunder Bay hosted a panel discussion on “Electrify Your Future,” which took place during the 2025 Research and Innovation Week. This event was free to the public and provided information on basic heat pump technology, available rebates, and the ability to discuss heat pump advantages with homeowners and service providers within the city of Thunder Bay.

Other initiatives include outreach activities through the Green Process Research Centre (GPRC).  The Centre is a hub for local and international researchers working on cutting-edge green technologies to develop new products aimed at transforming chemical industries to adopt new sustainable processes with green products that protect the environment.  Current research includes green energy storage materials.  

Lakehead University is also home to the Biorefining Research Institute (BRI), whose mandate is to "develop transformative, cost-effective, and environmentally-sound technologies and products from renewable resources". The BRI regularly hosts workshops focused on clean energy available locally, nationally and internationally. 

7.4.2 100% renewable energy pledge

Does your university as a body promote a pledge toward 100% renewable energy (petitions, meetings, discussions, events) beyond the university?

As a member of the Advisory Group of the City of Thunder Bay's Net-Zero Strategy, Lakehead University is committed to collaborative action to address energy use and greenhouse gas emissions as a feasible pathway to achieve community-wide net-zero emissions by 2050. This includes a commitment to reduce energy usage in campus buildings and to support renewable sources. Lakehead University's Sustainability Plan articulates these commitments to clean and renewable energy. 

Lakehead’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan includes a commitment to ”Develop and implement a refreshed Sustainability Plan, including a long-term vision for Lakehead in a post-carbon world.”

7.4.3 Energy efficiency services for industry

Does your university as a body provide direct services to local industry aimed at improving energy efficiency and clean energy (energy efficiency assessments, workshops, research renewable energy options)

Lakehead University provides direct services in collaboration with local industry aimed at improving energy efficiency and clean energy.  Examples of current and ongoing collaborations include:

Lakehead University's Biorefining Research Institute (BRI) is a leader in supporting biorefining and growing the bioeconomy including new and renewable energy and biofuels through research and workshops. BRI researchers work collaboratively with a number of industrial partners to explore the use of forest biomass for alternative energy and chemical options. The BRI has a range of collaborators and partners including industry, academia, community, government and First Nation partners.  The BRI Strategic Plan embeds objectives that commit to working with local, regional and national industry partners such as Resolute, Domtar, North American Palladium Ltd, Newmont, CRIBE, Natural Resources Canada, and NSERC on affordable and clean energy.

The Green Process Research Center (GPRC) is a hub for local and international researchers working on cutting-edge green technologies that will develop new products with the aim of transforming chemical industries to adopt new sustainable processes with green products that will protect the environment. 

7.4.4 Policy development for clean energy technology

Does your university as a body inform and support government in clean energy and energy-efficient technology policy development?

Evidence of Lakehead University's commitment to participate in local, regional, national and global initiatives to support government in clean energy and energy-efficiency technology policy include:

Smart City Solutions for Electric Vehicle & Bus Fleet Operations:

In 2023-2024, Dr. Abdulsalam Yassine, Associate Professor in the Department of Software Engineering, conducted research in smart cities and energy informatics, focusing on electric vehicle charging and planning for electric bus fleets.  His research informs policy decisions that enhance urban sustainability and improve transportation efficiencies in smart cities.  More information on his research projects can be found here.

Driving Regional Clean Energy Policy Through Electric Vehicle Innovation:

In 2023-2024, Dr. Apparo Dekka, Associate Professor in Computer & Electrical Engineering, led research on developing powertrain technologies for heavy-duty electric vehicles.  His work focuses on creating energy-efficient and affordable solutions to reduce the costs of electric vehicle production and support regional clean energy and energy-efficiency policy development., Dr. Dekka’s research contributes to a more sustainable regional economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.  More information on his research projects can be found here.

Power System Cybersecurity for National Energy Resilience:

Dr. Amir Ameli, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering specializes in power system cybersecurity, protection and control. In 2023-24, his work continued to inform national security for energy systems and industrial Internet of Things (IoT). This work is addressing vulnerabilities in power infrastructure, paving the way for safer and more resilient energy systems. More information on his research projects can be found here.

Global Collaboration for Energy-Efficient Building Design:

In 2023-2024, Dr Ahmed Elshaer, Professor of Civil Engineering, led a comprehensive study on the innovations in thermal insulation materials. In collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University, the study aimed at reducing energy use in the building sector, which is one of the highest consumers of energy in the world.  The research examines organic, inorganic, and natural composite materials to emphasize the urgent need to adopt sustainable and efficient insulation systems and energy policy, particularly in regions facing extreme climates. More information on this research can be found here.

7.4.5 Assistance to low-carbon innovation

Does your university as a body provide assistance for start-ups that foster and support a low-carbon economy/technology?

Lakehead University offers a unique and dynamic ecosystem of resources and support for startups dedicated to advancing low-carbon economies and technology.

"Ingenuity" is Lakehead's first business incubator, taking students' start-up concepts from ideation to innovation.  Ingenuity offers workshops, mentorship, workspaces, equipment and start-up funding for students, faculty and community members who are looking to start a business or develop their idea, including start-ups that foster and support a low-carbon economy/technology. In 2023-24, Ingenuity supported a variety of projects including initiatives in sustainable packaging and solar-power devices.

Lakehead University's Office of Innovation, Partnerships, and Economic Development (IPED) provides commercialization and technology transfer services to support start-ups and innovative projects. IPED works with initiatives that advance the low-carbon economy through clean energy solutions, green technologies, and other innovation-driven projects. The office also supports intellectual property protection and provides access to research expertise to help bring ideas from concept to market.