The AMS introduced the AMS Lighter Footprint Strategy in March 2008. This strategy provides a framework for fostering environmental justice in our own operations and lobbying for sustainability practices through our relationships with the University community and broader society. The AMS Lighter Footprint Strategy primarily falls under the portfolio of the VP Finance. Crucial knowledge and direction for this strategy comes from the Sustainability Coordinator. The Sustainability Coordinator is the primary point person for the strategy and sits on relevant committees, hires and manages interns and volunteers, oversees the strategy’s projects, and fulfills other responsibilities outlined in the strategy.

To see the AMS Lighter Footprint Strategy ’s targets, please scroll down. The targets are divided into two broad categories, internal and interactive:

• Internal targets are those that the AMS can act on without the cooperation of external parties, such as changing AMS purchasing practices.
• Interactive targets are those that require interaction with groups such as the UBC administration, TransLink, or the City of Vancouver.

Supporting material can be found in the AMS Lighter Footprint Strategy Appendices or the AMS Lighter Footprint Strategy Indicators and Action Plans . Please note that these are “living” documents. The targets and action items will continue to grow and evolve as new opportunities (e.g. UBC Sustainability Academic Strategy) and partnerships (e.g. Canadian Youth Climate Coalition) come along.

1. Food & Beverage (Internal)
   1. Encourage AMS Food and Beverage Department to significantly reduce the ecological footprint at all of their food outlets.
2. Materials (Internal)
   1. Track and reduce the quantities of disposable materials used in AMS operations and significantly reduce the ecological footprint per unit of these materials.
   2. Decrease use of toxic materials and ensure proper disposal of toxic materials, including E-waste, in compliance with all applicable legislation.
   3. Significantly reduce the ecological footprint of SUB renovations conducted by the AMS
3. Communications (Internal)
   1. Increase overall student awareness of the AMS’ environmental initiatives through communications strategies.
   2. Incorporate sustainability into the AMS’ communications with staff, clubs, and constituencies.
4. Food & Beverage (Interactive)
   1. Encourage UBC Food Services to significantly reduce the ecological footprint at all of their food outlets, including franchises.
   2. Work with student groups, the UBC Farm, and the UBC Sustainability Office to improve food security by increasing the amount of local food produced on campus and in the Vancouver community.
5. Building Materials (Interactive)
   1. Work with UBC and leaseholders to reduce the quantities of key materials used in the SUB and significantly reduce the ecological footprint of these materials.
   2. Work with UBC and leaseholders to reduce the amount of water used in the SUB.
   3. Lobby UBC to decrease the campus’ ecological footprint in terms of construction, renovations and waste management.
6. Building Energy (Interactive)
   1. Work with UBC Land and Building Services and the UBC Sustainability Office to reduce SUB energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent from 2007 levels by 2020.
   2. Continue to work with UBC to create a framework for the University to go beyond climate neutral and work with UBC to ensure its implementation.
7. Transportation (Interactive)
   1. Reduce Single-Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) trips and increase transit ridership to campus by 33 per cent from 2007 levels.
8. Campus Development & Policies (Interactive)
   1. Lobby UBC to adopt more environmentally sustainable development practices and policies.
9. Curriculum & Learning Spaces
   1. Work with faculty, the UBC Sustainability Office, and other groups to develop a more problem-based learning curriculum aimed at reducing our ecological footprint and creating a stronger ecological learning community.