The AMS released its annual sustainability report focused on the development of a circular economy.
Top priorities for the 2023/24 academic year include reducing emissions, collaborating with clubs, reviewing plans and procedures and advancing food sustainability.
The AMS’s annual Sustainability Report highlights initiatives that AMS Sustainability aims to complete in the year ahead.
The report also includes the AMS Sustainable Action Plan (ASAP), which is reviewed every three years. The report states that the remainder of August will be devoted towards researching whether the initiatives in ASAP are feasible and consulting with other bodies before a draft report is presented to AMS Council in September for final approval.
“We intend to work with partners in many different ways to implement our goals,” AMS VP Administration Ian Caguiat wrote in a written statement to The Ubyssey.
Caguiat explained joint efforts are being coordinated to support other student groups. For example, the AMS has recently partnered with the UBC Bike Kitchen for their Bike to Campus campaign.
“Through the Sustainability Subcommittee, we’re working to ensure that different student groups, especially constituencies, are aware and supportive of the diverse efforts happening across campus, increasing the capacity for communication and connection.”
The purpose of a circular economy is to extend the life cycle of a single product and reduce waste. It prioritizes leasing, reusing, recycling and repairing items.
To implement this, the AMS is starting initiatives, such as the no-cost textbook recycling program supported by last year’s graduating class’ Little Free Library initiative, which will provide a “low-barrier, cyclical” alternative to buying textbooks new.
“The timeline for [the textbook recycling program] is currently under consultation. However, when it is installed, its success will rely on student participation,” Caguiat wrote.
The report also proposed recycling and reusable container programs to encourage students to implement a “buy, eat, return, get deposit back practice” into their day and reduce the amount of disposable items within the campus’ food system.
However, the report was met with concern during an AMS Council meeting on June 27th. Councillors questioned the financial feasibility of the vp administration’s goals.
To address financial challenges, Caguiat explained that his team is hoping to reduce costs allocated towards the GHG Inventory Report. “[Current options] would help us avoid having to contract an external group that will create the report and recommendations.”
“After [Council’s] concerns were raised, we brought back the goals with more informed research and less financial requirements by prioritizing existing initiatives and education-based projects,” wrote Caguiat.
Concerns were also raised by Councillors about the climate friendly food system as it may make students feel guilty when they are attempting to buy food. The system would include placing labels on food items to indicate the item's carbon footprint.
“Our biggest priority is to help students make more informed food choices as opposed to negating the food choices they are currently making,” wrote Caguiat. “There will be resources at the outlets where the menu labels are placed explaining how the labels work, and we hope that this clarity will reduce some insecurity or guilt.”
With food affordability an ongoing concern on campus amidst broader economic insecurities, the AMS administration office is collaborating with campus partners to minimize the financial burden of the proposed initiatives on students.
“Ultimately, we don’t want students to feel guilty about not being able to take action,” Caguiat explained.
“As a student-first organization, we’re exploring options with our partners to take more top-down operational actions that minimize the effect on students.”
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