Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 64.13
Liaison Michael Kensler
Submission Date Feb. 4, 2022

STARS v2.2

Auburn University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 4.00 Michael Kensler
Director Sustainability Operations
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
---

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:

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 (local governments and Auburn University 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.


Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:

Climate Action Plan and Energy Reduction Strategy:
1. To maintain the overall consumption of purchased electricity (kWh) for main campus through 2030 at or below the 2010 baseline. This consumption will include future growth of the campus.
2. To reduce the overall consumption of purchased water (kGals) for the university a minimum of 2.5% of a 3-year average by 2030 when compared to a 2019 baseline. This consumption will include future growth of the campus.
3. Reduce the university’s energy intensity index (energy use per square foot) by 5% of 3-year average when compared to a 3-year average baseline of FY17, FY18, and FY19.
4. To reduce the overall average electricity energy intensity (kWh per square foot) of Auburn University facilities by 5% of a 3-year average by 2030 when compared to a 3-year average baseline of FY17, FY18, and FY19.
5. To reduce the overall average natural gas energy intensity (kWh per square foot) of Auburn University facilities by 5% of a 3-year average by 2030 when compared to a 3-year average baseline of FY17, FY18, and FY19.
6. To improve main campus chilled water plants efficiency 10% and College of Vet Medicine campus chilled plant efficiency 36% by 2030 when compared to a 2020 baseline. Goal is to achieve a 0.66 kW/ton operational efficiency for main campus and College of Vet Medicine campus.
7. To improve hot water plant efficiency by 10% by 2030 when compared to a FY21 baselineStrategies

* Buildings: continuous and retro-commissioning; craft commissioning standards for new buildings; improve preventive maintenance; 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; pursue large scale solar, cogeneration and other energy resources; and use of green roofs where feasible.


Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI): A Presidential Task Force for Opportunity & Equity is acting on the university's 2019-24 Strategic Plan Goal 5: Strategic Enrollment, which includes objectives to increase BIPOC enrollment. Since its inception minority applications are up 37% and Black student applications increased 18%. For fall 2021, needs-based scholarship funds will increase more than 300% to $3.5 million to aid first-time freshmen with financial needs. Another objective is to provide diversity, equity, and inclusion training for all students, faculty, and staff, commencing fall 2021.
Wellbeing: A Healthier U (AHU)initiative has been created in response to the COVID pandemic. AHU has set positive test rate objective of less than 5%. A connecting AHU objective is to test sufficient numbers of students and employees on a weekly basis to determine infection rate. AHU includes a daily health check app the campus community is expected to use and a mask-wearing mandate; both efforts strive for 100% participation to protect the campus community and evaluate the spread of the virus.


Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
---

Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Minor theme

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
---

Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
---

Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
No

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
---

The institution’s definition of sustainability:

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
Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability No
SDG Accord Yes
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.


Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts 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.