March 28, 2012
Enbridge and the University of Calgary partner to launch Enbridge Centre for Corporate Sustainability
Riley Brandt
Enbridge and the University of Calgary launched the Enbridge Centre for Corporate Sustainability (ECCS) at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business.
The ECCS will advance the science and practice of achieving the triple bottom line in business and in policy. The triple bottom line refers to decisions aimed at balancing—in a meaningful and transparent way—environmental, social, and economic considerations. Rather than just looking at corporate sustainability through the lens of fostering goodwill in communities, this independent centre will draw on more than 60 years of research and practice related to the science of corporate sustainability.
"This first-of-its-kind Centre is a ground-breaking initiative for the University of Calgary and Enbridge," said University of Calgary President Elizabeth Cannon. "The Enbridge Centre for Corporate Sustainability showcases the power of collaboration in fuelling innovation. We are tremendously grateful to be working with Enbridge to support research that will be widely shared, helping businesses develop and implement sustainable practices across many disciplines."
The ECCS' long-term objectives directly align with the Haskayne School of Business' ongoing endeavours to become an internationally recognized centre of excellence for academic integrity, impartial research and community engagement in the areas that define Calgary and Alberta: ethical leadership, entrepreneurship and energy.
Enbridge has committed $2.25 million over 10 years to the ECCS, which will enable graduate student and faculty research, fund post-doctoral fellows, and support the Enbridge Research in Action Seminars. The Seminars will bring together influential researchers, practitioners, and industry experts to discuss and disseminate leading-edge sustainability research in Canada and abroad.
The ECCS will also sponsor two annual sustainability awards, recognizing student achievements in areas related to sustainability and the advancement of the triple bottom line. The ECCS' activities will be guided by an external advisory board comprising leading scholars and practitioners of corporate sustainability drawn from across North America.
Enbridge CEO Pat Daniel said the international scope and focus on sustainable resource development set the ECCS apart and drew Enbridge to the project.
"We're proud to partner with the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business", said Mr. Daniel. "The ECCS' research will provide a foundation for new business practices and decision making processes needed to develop natural resources in a responsible and sustainable manner.
"In addition to important research, the ECCS will also be an incubator for the future business leaders. As a company focused on building a sustainable future, we are thrilled to contribute to this important initiative."
For more information on the Enbridge Centre for Corporate Sustainability at the Haskayne School of Business. For more information on Enbridge.