Mohawk College first college in Canada to achieve Sustainability in AV certification
Earlier this year, Mohawk College’s IT department achieved Sustainability in AV (SAVe) certification for implementing audiovisual (AV) upgrades in college classrooms, to reduce energy usage and meet the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals. Mohawk is the second postsecondary institution in Canada to be recognized with a SAVe certification, joining the University of Toronto, the first postsecondary institution in Canada to commit.
In September 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all 193 UN member nations, including Canada. At the heart of this agenda are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 169 specific targets to accomplish collectively.
In 2022, Mohawk College join hundreds of colleges and universities around the world in becoming a signatory of the SDG Accord, the sector’s collective response to the United Nations’ SDGs.
SAVe is the first industrywide U.S.-based organization to bring AV leaders together in taking concerted action to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
To achieve certification, Mohawk College’s AV team have developed a plan to implement sustainable practices on campus. This includes identifying several SDGs to target in their efforts: Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal 13 – Climate Action and more.
Some of the steps Mohawk College’s AV team has taken so far include building 23 Presentation Classrooms across the Fennell and Stoney Creek campuses, with more classrooms planned in the future as part of the college’s ongoing commitment to sustainable, modern learning spaces. Presentation Classrooms are designed to support in-person learning in labs and classroom spaces through integrated audiovisual technology, including modern AV switches and controls. These rooms enable instructors to deliver presentations and demonstrations using reliable, easy to use technology that supports day-to-day teaching.
The team has also implemented room timers to support proper shutdown of AV systems, helping to preserve equipment life and reducing unnecessary energy use. Additionally, where appropriate, new classroom designs incorporate Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices, reducing the need for additional power infrastructure and supporting more efficient system deployment.
The team’s next steps include:
- Working with our current e-waste partner to confirm they hold industry-standard certifications and follow responsible disposal methods
- Building more sustainable classrooms
- Delivering SAVe education sessions
“This achievement supports Mohawk College’s climate action goals while strengthening the student learning experience,” said Allison Maxted, Manager, Sustainability. “By improving the environmental performance of classroom technology, our AV team is helping embed sustainability into the spaces where learning happens every day.”