| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.66 |
| Liaison | Michael Kensler |
| Submission Date | Jan. 23, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Auburn University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 4.00 |
Michael
Kensler Director Sustainability Operations Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
A copy of the sustainability plan:
The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
A copy of the climate action plan:
The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
Campus Master Plan: http://www.auburn.edu/administration/facilities/organization/university-architect/campus-master-plan/
Campus Landscape Master Plan: http://www.auburn.edu/administration/facilities/organization/university-architect/landscape-master-plan/index.html
Stormwater Management Plan: https://cws.auburn.edu/shared/files?id=227&filename=StormWaterMngmtPlan17.pdf
Design and Construction Standards: http://www.auburn.edu/administration/facilities/contractors/design-standards/Design%20Standards.pdf
Energy Reduction Strategy
Facilities Management Sustainable Operations Guidelines
Stormwater Management Program Plan
Strategic Diversity Plan https://cws.auburn.edu/diversity/files/diversityplanfinal.pdf
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMPP)
Effectiveness of the activities related to this measure will be measured through:
1. Number of presentations delivered – various AU programs will provide at a minimum of four presentations specific to stormwater management annually.
2. Risk Management & Safety (RMS) maintains the central electronic resource (webpage) to serve as primary reference site for the updated University SWMPP.
3. Quantify the number of individuals reached through University led activities throughout each reporting cycle. Audience includes students, staff, employees and
visitors to Auburn University and is targeted at 2500 individuals each reporting cycle.
4. Number of university led Parkerson Mill Creek cleanup efforts. AU aims to promote 4 cleanup events throughout each reporting cycle.
5. Documented attendance to quarterly ALOAS citizen advisory meetings.
6. Continued attendance, partnership, or participation in Alabama Water Watch
monitoring workshops.
7. Continued installation of storm drain markers on all inlets located on campus.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMPP)
Effectiveness of the activities related to this measure will be measured through:
1. Number of presentations delivered – various AU programs will provide at a minimum of four presentations specific to stormwater management annually.
2. Risk Management & Safety (RMS) maintains the central electronic resource (webpage) to serve as primary reference site for the updated University SWMPP.
3. Quantify the number of individuals reached through University led activities throughout each reporting cycle. Audience includes students, staff, employees and
visitors to Auburn University and is targeted at 2500 individuals each reporting cycle.
4. Number of university led Parkerson Mill Creek cleanup efforts. AU aims to promote 4 cleanup events throughout each reporting cycle.
5. Documented attendance to quarterly ALOAS citizen advisory meetings.
6. Continued attendance, partnership, or participation in Alabama Water Watch
monitoring workshops.
7. Continued installation of storm drain markers on all inlets located on campus.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan: 5 year targets were established: 10% reduction in purchased electricity emissions; 10% reduction in on-campus stationary combustion; 10% reduction in commuting emissions; 10% reduction in campus funded travel; 10% reduction in campus fleet emissions. Long-term goal is to achieve 100% GHG emissions reductions from 2008 levels by 2050.
Strategies include an aggressive energy efficiency program to commission, retrocommission, and upgrade building mechanicals; increase the use of energy saving technologies and operational best practices; incorporate behavior change programs for students and employees; improve tracking of funded travel; increase alternative transportation options; aggressively target water reduction measures; increase tree canopy to reduce heat island effect and improve carbon sequestration.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Auburn University Design & Construction Standards: Section 2 of the Consultant Requirements Chapter is entitled Sustainable Design and lists numerous specific requirements to ensure sustainable building design and construction: Required LEED Silver minimum certification (or equivalent performance in another rating system) for all Board of Trustees-approved projects; process requirements for a Sustainability Charrette in the Pre-Design phase of a project; creation of project Sustainability Goals and ongoing reports on goal achievement throughout design and construction phases; incorporating university goals for energy, water, and carbon reduction; recycling; sustainable materials use;
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan and Energy Reduction Strategy:
* Reduce overall consumption of purchased electricity and natural gas a minimum of 5% by 2020 compared to a 2010 baseline, including future growth on campus
* Reduce overall average electricity energy intensity 10% by 2015 and 30% by 2020 compared to a 2004 baseline
* Improve utility plant efficiency 5% by 2015 and 10% by 2020 compared to 2011 baseline
Strategies
* Buildings: continuous and retro-commissioning; craft commissioning standards for new buildings; improve preventive maintenance; create campus-wide building setback standards; incorporation of real-time energy use meters to closely track performance and identify problems; lighting retrofits; solar hot water pre-heat; investigate viability of solar, cogeneration and other energy resources; and assess feasibility of green roofs.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan
Update Campus Tree Inventory including calculations for carbon sequestration through plantings on campus.
Develop GIS resources in academic units to monitor and assess tree canopy cover and shade zones.
Increase tree canopy in managed areas by 5% per decade over the next 30 years.
Enhanced tree planting program, tree maintenance program, and implement more stringent tree protection measures.
Meet requirements of the Arbor Day Foundation for yearly recertification of Tree Campus USA designation.
Develop a stormwater management plan that prioritizes green infrastructure.
Increase use of porous paving alternatives wherever appropriate.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan
Gather, analyze, and publish data about emissions impacts of purchasing decisions and give guidance for purchase in sustainable purchasing guidelines. Develop prioritized list of items with the biggest potential on emissions reduction. Assist units on campus in developing best practices for sustainable purchasing. Offer employee training in sustainable office practices, including purchasing.
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan:
* Improve tracking of campus funded travel for mileage and associated emissions, and evaluate potential for reduction.
* Increase alternatives to single-occupancy private vehicles for students, faculty, and staff for commuting (mass transit, walking and biking, car pooling, car sharing)
* Increase use of transportation avoidance/elimination through video conferencing, electronic delivery, telecommuting, distance learning
* Improve performance and reduce emissions from campus fleet
* Increase awareness of emissions associated with transportation choices
Strategies
* Improve monitoring of use of existing resources; parking and transportation surveys
* Establish a travel accounting system to better determine miles traveled
* In conjunction with HR evaluate telecommuting, flex hours and other strategies
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Climate Action Plan and Energy Reduction Strategy:
* Reduce overall water use intensity 20% by 2015 and 30% by 2020 compared to 2007 baseline
* Reduce domestic water, chilled water, and hot water utility distribution system losses 50% by 2015 and 75% by 2020 compared to 2012 baseline
* Eliminate the use of potable water for landscaping purposes
Strategies:
* Installation of real-time water meters to monitor usage and identify problems
* Investigate condensate capture, the use of cisterns to replace tower losses
* Plant drought tolerant and native plants across campus landscape
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Strategic Diversity Plan (SDP)
Create, promote, and encourage a supportive and friendly campus environment that is welcoming and attractive to people of all races, ethnicity, nationalities, religions, gender, sexual orientation, and those with disabilities. (SDP Goal 1)
Assist Auburn University in its efforts to recruit and retain minority and women faculty, students, and staff at all levels. (SDP Goal 2)
Develop and strengthen alliances with external communities to support diversity in and outside of Auburn University. (SDP Goal 4)
Develop efforts that enhance external support for diversity programs and scholarships. (SDP Goal 1,2)
Foster a community that values diversity through educational and training programs. (SDP Goal 3)
Regularly monitor and assess Auburn University’s diversity efforts for effectiveness, identify new and better “best practices” for success, and publish reports for dissemination. (SDP Goal 1,5)
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
n/a
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
Auburn University's definition of sustainability: Meeting human needs now and in the future in a fair, just, and equitable way, while protecting and maintaining healthy ecosystems in perpetuity.
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | --- |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Auburn has a Climate Action Plan resulting from joining the ACUPCC. Auburn's commitment is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Auburn University has many components of what could be considered a sustainability plan (Campus Master Plan, Campus Landscape Master Plan, Stormwater Management Plan, Sustainability Policy, for example), but not yet a comprehensive sustainability plan.
Auburn University will use our STARS report, which assesses our current sustainability performance, as a baseline to create both a long-term vision for a sustainable Auburn University, and specific long-term sustainability goals.
Knowing where we are as a result of our STARS report, and defining where we want to go by developing a long-term vision and specific goals, we will then create a sustainability strategic action plan to reach our vision and achieve our goals.
Auburn University has many components of what could be considered a sustainability plan (Campus Master Plan, Campus Landscape Master Plan, Stormwater Management Plan, Sustainability Policy, for example), but not yet a comprehensive sustainability plan.
Auburn University will use our STARS report, which assesses our current sustainability performance, as a baseline to create both a long-term vision for a sustainable Auburn University, and specific long-term sustainability goals.
Knowing where we are as a result of our STARS report, and defining where we want to go by developing a long-term vision and specific goals, we will then create a sustainability strategic action plan to reach our vision and achieve our goals.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.