New approach to sustainability will lead to first-of-its-kind target for University of Waterloo’s David Johnston Research + Technology Park

Waterloo, Ontario, March 5, 2015 – The David Johnston Research + Technology Park is known for sector leading innovation. Now in tandem with the park’s 10th anniversary, they are once again creating change. The park is taking a leadership role in creating a strong culture of sustainability by joining Sustainable Waterloo Region’s (SWR) Regional Carbon Initiative (RCI) as a Collaborative Facility Member. This partnership paves the way to become a first-of-its-kind greenhouse gas reduction target by any member in the AURP research park network in Canada.

Collaborative Facility Members take a fresh approach to traditional sustainability challenges between building use and design. The model creates mutually beneficial partnerships and solutions between tenants and landlords that will result in reduced greenhouse gas reduction and increased sustainable awareness. 

“Innovative new RCI memberships such as this one support the creative, entrepreneurial culture of the region, and of the R+T Park,” notes SWR Executive Director Tova Davidson. “By joining, the R+T Park is leading the charge in creating a strong culture of sustainability and helping the building owners and tenants further their commitments to the environment.”

“As one of the landlords in the R+T Park, I am excited about what this membership in the Regional Carbon Initiative means for us and our tenants,” said Adrian Conrad, Director at The Cora Group. “Environmental sustainability is vital. We want to lead by example and partner with tenants who carry the same vision of making a difference.”

Carol Stewart is manager of the David Johnston Research + Technology Park, and was also recently elected to sit on the International AURP Board of Directors. She marvels at how, in a short ten years, the Park has become an internationally recognized success and a source of competitive advantage. “The Research + Technology Park has an economic momentum that ripples through all parts of the local economy,” Carol says. “GHG reduction strategies benefit the community and an organization’s bottom line. We are excited to create that same momentum with sustainability as well.”

About David Johnston Research + Technology Park, www.rtpark.uwaterloo.ca

Named after the fifth President of the University of Waterloo and the current Governor General of Canada, the University of Waterloo’s David Johnston Research + Technology Park is a $214-million project that brings together the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Region of Waterloo, the City of Waterloo, Communitech, and Canada’s Technology Triangle in a unique partnership. Designed to accommodate 1.2 million square feet of office space on 120-acres (49 hectares), the R+T Park is an innovation centre for Canada’s top technology talent. The park provides a powerfully supportive base for radical, high impact research. Proud and active member of AURP, AURP Canada, IASP, NBIA, StartupCanada and CABI. 

About Sustainable Waterloo Region, www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca

Sustainable Waterloo Region advances the environmental sustainability of organizations across Waterloo Region through collaboration. The current work of Sustainable Waterloo Region includes on the Regional Carbon Initiative, which facilitates voluntary target-setting and reductions of carbon emissions by organizations across Waterloo Region. 

Association of University Research Parks Canada (AURP), www.aurpcanada.com

The Association of University Research Parks Canada is a not-for-profit organization representing the 26 Research & Technology Parks across the country. AURP Canada partners with universities, economic development agencies and all levels of the government with a goal of increasing the development of new research parks, as well as generating sustainability and progressive standardization within the research park sector. 60,000 knowledge workers are employed in 1,600 companies with Canada’s research park network. 

Media Contacts:

Carol Stewart, Manager
David Johnston Research + Technology Park
University of Waterloo
519-888-4567 x36339
castewar@uwaterloo.ca

Michelle Sullivan, Media Relations Lead
Sustainable Waterloo Region
226-929-7411
michelle.sullivan@sustainablewr.ca