In April 2022, University Facilities launched its Sustainability Plan. The plan is the result of 18 months of effort, engaging staff throughout the division as well as staff from other areas of the university which work closely with Facilities.
The plan is structured around six areas of impact within the purview of University Facilities. Each chapter of the Facilities Sustainability Plan includes a description of the existing conditions within that area as well as infographics of relevant existing datasets and noteworthy stories of initiatives Facilities has already completed. Each area also includes a guiding principle that will serve as an enduring touchstone as the sustainability goals and actions continue to evolve.
The following sections list the guiding principles and goals for each area. For full details, including the metrics to be measured, action items, the business case, a plan for accountability, the results of a peer benchmarking study, and more, please download the full document.
Guiding Principle
University Facilities develops and maintains high-quality, resource efficient campus buildings.
Goals
01-1: Increase metering to support total energy and water accountability.
01-2: Reduce potable water consumption and annual potable water costs.
01-3: Reduce campus-wide energy use intensity and annual energy costs.
01-4: Reduce Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions.
01-5: Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to neutralize Scope 2 emissions.
01-6: Maximize construction waste diversion.
Guiding Principle
University Facilities preserves planetary and human health by operating high-performance campus buildings.
Goals
02-1: Reduce waste generation.
02-2: Increase waste diversion from landfill.
02-3: Reduce the environmental impact of cleaning products and janitorial paper products.
Guiding Principle
University Facilities supports a unified approach to campus sustainability outreach and education.
Goals
03-1: Increase awareness of campus sustainability within University Facilities personnel.
03-2: Build partnerships to increase student, faculty, and staff awareness of campus sustainability.
Guiding Principle
University Facilities supports low-carbon campus mobility.
Goals
04-1: Evolve transportation and parking policies to better support sustainability.
04-2: Reduce Scope 3 emissions generated by commuter reliance on single occupancy vehicles.
04-3: Reduce Scope 1 emissions generated by campus fleet vehicles.
Guiding Principle
University Facilities develops and maintains high-quality, resource efficient campus landscapes.
Goals
05-1: Increase use of automated systems to reduce irrigation’s demand for potable water.
05-2: Electrify grounds and landscape maintenance equipment.
Guiding Principle
University Facilities’ leverages the University’s purchasing power to accelerate the availability of sustainable goods in the marketplace.
Goals
06-1: Reduce the environmental impact of campus building materials.
The University Facilities Sustainability Plan represents our commitment to upgrade and exceed our past practices to ensure the viability of our environment and our institution for future generations. It allows the division to catalog our previous successes and establish a formal and transparent course toward a more sustainable future.
Shawn Connolly, Vice President, University Facilities