The North Vancouver School District (NVSD) is committed to a sustainable future for students, the community, and the planet. In the 2021-2031 Strategic Plan, Environmental Stewardship is highlighted as one of the six strategic goals. Considering this, we champion a holistic view of sustainability that includes economic, environmental, and social considerations.
We strive to demonstrate leadership by providing the highest standard of education in environmental stewardship through programs, practices, and facilities that inspire students and staff to be responsible citizens.
District-wide Approach to Sustainability
In 2015, the NVSD engaged the Sustainability Strategy Working Group through a consultative planning process to develop the NVSD Sustainability Strategy which provides coherence, direction, and focus to sustainability-related activities. The working group drew on wide range of experience with environmental and sustainability initiatives, as well as learning in nature, classrooms, and through the Cheakamus Centre.
The NVSD Sustainability Strategy embraces a district-wide approach to sustainability that includes six strategic priorities within three broad areas of the NVSD community:
- Process: The structures that guide how we plan, act, share, and celebrate.
- Planning and Decision-Making
- Communications and Engagement
- Programs: Educational practices and partnerships that support a sustainable school district.
- Educational Priorities
- Partnerships
- Place: The natural and built environments that support the NVSD community.
- Resource Management
- Facilities and Operations
Read the 
NVSD Sustainability Strategy online.
Strategic Energy Management
The NVSD embraces a strategic approach to energy management that includes technical, behavioural, and organizational initiatives. These efforts are guided by an annual Strategic Energy Management Plan (SEMP) that provides a framework for reducing energy consumption and the associated environmental impact. By implementing the actions detailed in the SEMP, the NVSD is demonstrating environmental leadership, reducing our exposure to energy cost escalations and addressing the climate emergency.
Read the Strategic Energy Management Plan 2023 online.
The NVSD is proud to participate in the Building Benchmark BC energy and emissions disclosure program. The purpose of the voluntary program is to promote energy data sharing at the regional scale and to help policy makers understand the climate impacts of large buildings.
Climate Change Accountability Reporting
As a B.C. Public Sector Organization, the NVSD is mandated by the province to quantify and offset our annual greenhouse gas emissions and produce an annual Climate Change Accountability Report.
Sustainable Facilities
Facilities across the NVSD progressively been retrofitted with energy efficient technologies that also contribute to improved occupant comfort. Projects include upgrading LED lighting and controls, heating system upgrades, and building envelope renewals.
The NVSD is a leader in high performance new school construction and has set rigorous performance standards for capital projects. In 2024, BC Hydro recognized the NVSD as a Clean Energy Champion in acknowledgement of our progressive approach to designing new schools.
Waste Management
A multi-stream waste management system has been in place since 2015. There are four main material streams that are collected by third-party companies; organics, containers, mixed paper, and garbage.
Sustainable Transportation
The NVSD encourages students to get to and from school in safe, active and sustainable ways.
One example of this is the Walking School Bus initiative. A Walking School Bus involves a group of students walking together under the supervision of dedicated adult walk leaders, creating a "bus route" children can join and walk to and from school together. Watch the What’s a walking school bus? video by TransLink to learn more.
Information about other initiatives can be found on the Safe and Active Travel web page.
