New Sustainability Plan Pushes 鶹Ƶ Forward for Next Five Years
When 鶹Ƶbecame the first carbon neutral university two years ahead of schedule in 2018, theOffice of Sustainability staffbegantheir quest forwhat’s next.
Now, 鶹Ƶ has announcedthesenext steps in the university’s sustainability work, a new five-year plan that reflects鶹Ƶ’sChallenge Acceptedbrandcampaign.Thisthird campus action planfollowsthe 2010 Climate Plan and the 2014 Sustainability Plan.
“鶹Ƶ is proud of our history of sustainability which includes becoming the first research university in the nation to reach carbon neutrality,”said 鶹Ƶpresident Sylvia Burwell. “Our work to reduce our environmental footprint continues with our new sustainability plan—an exciting and ambitious roadmap for 鶹Ƶ as we continue to deepen our commitment to creating a healthier planet. We know that our entire community plays a role in our success, and we look forward to seeing results from our new sustainability efforts across campus.”
The new planhasthree sections—engagement, environment, administration—and an ambitious 45 new goals written by the Sustainability Advisory Committee and the Office of Sustainability. The team developedplansover the past three years through listening to the 鶹Ƶ community and by aligning their efforts with the climate work being done by DC and the UnitedNations. The goals dovetail with the district’s progressive Sustainable DC plan,whichprovides a framework for new construction, energy, and water usage.
“It’s really exciting that we’re in uncharted territory because so few universities have hit this point of carbon neutrality,” said Megan Litke, director of sustainability programs. Office of Sustainability. “So now we’ve figured out where to go next, and we’re ready to bring the community into it. I think that’s the expansion of the conversation beyond carbon emissions and into the broader sustainability problems and how they impact our communities.”
In the engagement section,the plan includes goals such as adding more courses related to sustainability, wellness goals, making outdoor spaces more accessible,and connecting sustainability work with environmental justice. The section also includes campus and community engagement and outreach, boosting sustainability literacy and including the community in partnerships and education on sustainability.
The university’s plan also details goals related to operating and constructing green buildingsintheenvironmentsection. The plan pushes towards changes that would impact the look of campus.
The campus tree canopy will be expanded and diversified, and the university will expand edible plants and gardens. The plan aims to achieve zero waste by 2030 by eliminating single-use plastics, increasingcompostingand recycling,and decreasing overall waste. The university will also support sustainable goods vendors and reduce paper usage and paper waste on campus.
Students will notice a difference in dining options, with a goalthatexpandsvegan diningoptionsandincreasessustainably or ethically produced food.
“Many of the goals in the plan that will impact students came from student comments, so it came from areas where students saw we could improve,” Litke said.
Any new constructionprioritizesenergy efficiency and preparesfor future climate disruptions including temperature increases and heavy rain.
The campus will increase the number of solar panels and include solar energy in any new construction. TheOffice ofSustainability will conduct a campus review using LEED tools to monitor efficiency, water, waste, and air quality.
Litke said the plan’s goals go beyond the next five years, but the everchanging research in sustainability and technology requires flexibility in planning.
“Three years from now, we may have the chance to take advantage of a technology that doesn’t exist right now,” Litke said. “We really wanted to create a plan that could be adaptable to changes. Within the next five years, it will be time to reevaluate where we are in the district and globally. But the work will continue on.”