California Polytechnic State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The University Strategic Plan highlights sustainability throughout the document by focusing on diversity, social justice, health and wellbeing, financial security, a healthy environment. The area where sustainability is most highlighted is in Strategic Priority 7 Goal 7D: "Ensure the sustainability of the whole campus environment by making it smart, resilient, and carbon neutral."
Measurable Objectives* for this goal are listed below:
Continue implementation of the campus Climate Action Plan
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050
• Increase Number of LEED Certified buildings
• Improve transportation survey results
Grow Cal Poly participation and leadership in the Central Coast Climate Collaborative
• Increased Collaborative membership
• Increased UC and CSU participation in Central Coast Climate Collaborative
• Completed Collaborative projects, studies, reports
Incorporate climate projects and initiatives in curriculum, applied research, student orientation, and Residential Life
• Increase Number of tours and guest lectures
• Achieve Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Gold Rating
• Increase Courses in Sustainability Course Catalog (SUSCAT)
• Grow Sustainability research and grant awards

*It should be noted that measurable objectives are not listed in the public document but are rather a part of an internal extended version.

CSU Sustainability Policy- https://www.calstate.edu/cpdc/sustainability/policies-reports/documents/JointMeeting-CPBG-ED.pdf

Cal Poly Talloires Declaration in Campus Administrative Policy- https://policy.calpoly.edu/cap/100/cap-150#cap-151

Student Affairs Strategic Plan- https://content-calpoly-edu.s3.amazonaws.com/studentaffairs/1/documents/Reports/CP_SA_StrategicPlan2017-22_web.pdf

Administration & Finance (AFD) Strategic Plan- https://afd.calpoly.edu/strategicplan/

Office of University Diversity & Inclusion Collective Impact Plan- https://diversity.calpoly.edu/collective-impact/

Links to all these plans can be found here: https://strategicplanning.calpoly.edu/

The CSU will inventory existing courses and degree-programs focused on sustainability, as well as the faculty teaching these courses. Opportunities for students to engage in sustainability-focused projects or community partnerships, such as the “Campus as a Living Lab” program, will be identified and continually developed. Student involvement in such programs will be encouraged through increased promotion and curriculum regarding sustainability will be further integrated into the CSU.
Required Metrics:
1. Provide the number of sustainability- focused degree programs.
2. Provide the number of sustainability-focused courses offered.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Cal Poly Talloires Declaration
Educate for Environmentally Responsible Citizenship
Establish programs to produce expertise in environmental management, sustainable economic development, population, and related fields to ensure that all university graduates are environmentally literate and have the awareness and understanding to be ecologically responsible citizens.
Cal Poly will continue to develop academic programs that generate research and teaching in a wide range of fields related to sustainability. These range from specific courses to concentrations, minors and majors that bear on sustainable practices and concepts that can be clearly identified in the Cal Poly Catalog to increase student awareness of their availability. In addition, a catalog of courses and programs in sustainability has been established at the website located at http://suscat.calpoly.edu/. As a polytechnic university, Cal Poly is especially well positioned to approach sustainability from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives in all colleges.

Foster Environmental Literacy for All
Create programs to develop the capability of university faculty to teach environmental literacy to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
The Academic Senate Standing Sustainability Committee will continue to provide examples and models of environmental literacy that can be integrated into the curriculum in a wide variety of courses.
https://policy.calpoly.edu/cap/100/cap-150#cap-151

The CSU will expand its research efforts regarding sustainability by first taking inventory of all academic departments and faculty conducting such research. Grant opportunities will be explored to support faculty who are currently conducting research and to encourage others to initiate new projects.
Required Metrics:
1. Provide the number of faculty conducting research related to sustainability.
2. Provide the number of academic departments conducting research related to sustainability.
3. Provide any courses or projects developed as part of the Campus as a Living Lab program.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Cal Poly Talloires Declaration
Educate for Environmentally Responsible Citizenship
Establish programs to produce expertise in environmental management, sustainable economic development, population, and related fields to ensure that all university graduates are environmentally literate and have the awareness and understanding to be ecologically responsible citizens.
Cal Poly will continue to develop academic programs that generate research and teaching in a wide range of fields related to sustainability. These range from specific courses to concentrations, minors and majors that bear on sustainable practices and concepts that can be clearly identified in the Cal Poly Catalog to increase student awareness of their availability. In addition, a catalog of courses and programs in sustainability has been established at the website located at http://suscat.calpoly.edu/. As a polytechnic university, Cal Poly is especially well positioned to approach sustainability from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives in all colleges.

Foster Environmental Literacy for All
Create programs to develop the capability of university faculty to teach environmental literacy to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
The Academic Senate Standing Sustainability Committee will continue to provide examples and models of environmental literacy that can be integrated into the curriculum in a wide variety of courses.
https://policy.calpoly.edu/cap/100/cap-150#cap-151

The CSU will offer sustainability-related training to faculty through either orientations or participation in conferences regarding sustainability, conservation, responsible business practices, and the curriculum. Workforce skills in the green jobs industry will be encouraged through internships for students, continuing education courses, or sustainability-themed certification programs.
The CSU will develop employee and student workforce skills in the green jobs industry, promote the development of sustainable products and services, and foster economic development.
Each CSU is encouraged to designate a sustainability officer responsible for carrying out and/or coordinating campus sustainability program efforts.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Biennial Sustainability Report Operational Sustainability Plan (Page 31)
OUTREACH
• Continue development of Green Campus
and Eco Reps Programs
• Employ student assistants
• Provide class presentations and
access to plans/data
• Support class and senior projects
• Deliver sustainability orientation to freshmen
• Develop new energy and water dashboards

The CSU will cooperate with federal, state, and local governments and other appropriate organizations in accomplishing energy conservation and utilities management objectives throughout the state; and inform students, faculty, staff and the general public of the need for and methods of energy conservation and utilities management.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Cal Poly Talloires Declaration

Enhance Capacity of Primary and Secondary Schools
Establish partnerships with primary and secondary schools to help develop the capacity for interdisciplinary teaching about population, environment, and sustainable development.
The Cal Poly Center for Excellence in Science and Math Education (CESaME) focuses on building teaching capacity for K-12 instruction. Environmental literacy fits very naturally into science and mathematics education. CESaME is dedicated to helping teachers and future teachers to help all children and young people to become scientific literate, environmentally responsible citizens of the 21st Century.
CESaME works collaboratively with local, state, and national Environmental Education programs, such as California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network, Project Learning Tree (PLT), and others.

Broaden Service and Outreach Nationally and Internationally
Work with national and international organizations to promote a worldwide university effort toward a sustainable future.
Cal Poly regularly convenes sustainability events that provide access to globally renowned experts and cutting edge ideas. Cal Poly also has a strong tradition of building relationships with other universities and institutes that are engaged in sustainability research and demonstration projects outside of this country. The University will continue to recognize that sustainability issues reach beyond the campus and local community and that creating a sustainable future must involve a worldwide perspective.
https://policy.calpoly.edu/cap/100/cap-150#cap-151

1. The CSU will strive to reduce systemwide facility greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels, or below, by 2020 consistent with AB 32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (HSC §38550). Emissions will include both state and auxiliary organization purchases of electricity and natural gas; fleet, marine vessel usage; and other emissions the university or self-support entity has direct control over. The Chancellor’s Office staff will provide the baseline 1990 facility emission levels (for purchased electricity and natural gas) for the campuses that existed at that time and assist campuses added to the CSU after 1990 to determine their appropriate baseline.
2. The CSU will strive to reduce facility GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2040. Campus tracking and reporting of their GHG inventory will be grounded in the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment guidelines or equivalent, with consideration to campus requested improvements. Metrics will include GHG emissions per FTE.
3. The CSU will encourage and promote the use of alternative transportation and/or alternative fuels to reduce GHG emissions related to university associated transportation, including commuter and business travel.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Biennial Sustainability Report Operational Sustainability Plan (Page 31)
GHG
• Establish baseline, monitor and report
per CSU guidelines
• Submit annual progress report to Second Nature
• Make progress on Climate Action Plan
for neutrality
BUILDING OPERATIONS
• Improve preventive maintenance program
• Complete LEED O+M for existing buildings
• Continue with retro-commissioning
of existing buildings
• Improve utility metering and data collection
• Implement Energy Information System
FLEET
• Continue transition to alternative fuels
• Right size fleet including vehicle sharing
• Identify next generation of electric fleet vehicles

Sustainable Building Practices
1. All future CSU new construction, remodeling, renovation, and repair projects will be designed with consideration of optimum energy utilization, low life cycle operating costs, compliance with all applicable energy codes (enhanced Title 24 energy codes) and regulations. In the areas of specialized construction that are not regulated through the current energy codes, such as historical buildings, museums, and auditoriums, the CSU will ensure that these facilities are designed to consider energy efficiency. Energy efficient and sustainable design features in the project plans and specifications will be considered in balance with the academic program needs of the project within the available project budget.
2. Capital Planning, Design and Construction in the Chancellor’s Office shall monitor building sustainability/energy performance and maintain information on design best practices to support the energy efficiency goals and guidelines of this policy. The sustainability performance shall be based on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles with consideration to the physical diversity and microclimates within the CSU.
3. The CSU shall design and build all new buildings and major renovations to meet or exceed the minimum requirements equivalent to LEED “Silver.” Each campus shall strive to achieve a higher standard equivalent to LEED “Gold” or “Platinum” within project budget constraints. Each campus may pursue external certification through the LEED process.
Physical Plant Management
1. Each campus shall operate and maintain a comprehensive energy management system that will provide centralized reporting and control of the campus energy related activities.
2. To the extent possible, academic and non-academic programs will be consolidated in a manner to achieve the highest building utilization.
3. All CSU campuses will implement a utilities chargeback system to recover direct and indirect costs of utilities provided to self-supporting and external organizations pursuant to procedures in the Integrated California State University Administrative Manual (ICSUAM).
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Biennial Sustainability Report Operational Sustainability Plan (Page 31)
BUILDING OPERATIONS
• Improve preventive maintenance program
• Complete LEED O+M for existing buildings
• Continue with retro-commissioning
of existing buildings
• Improve utility metering and data collection
• Implement Energy Information System

Energy Independence and Procurement
1. The CSU shall pursue energy procurement and production to reduce energy capacity requirements from fossil fuels, and promote energy independence using available economically feasible technology for on-site and/or renewable generation. The CSU shall endeavor to increase its self-generated energy capacity from 44 to 80 megawatts (MW) by 2020.
2. The CSU will endeavor to exceed the State of California and California Public Utilities Commission Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) sooner than the established goal of procuring 33 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020.
Energy Conservation and Utility Management
1. All CSU buildings and facilities, regardless of the source of funding for their operation, will be operated in the most energy efficient manner without endangering public health and safety and without diminishing the quality of education and the academic program. 2. All CSU campuses will continue to identify energy efficiency improvement measures to the greatest extent possible, undertake steps to seek funding for their implementation and, upon securing available funds, expeditiously implement the measures.
3. The CSU will cooperate with federal, state, and local governments and other appropriate organizations in accomplishing energy conservation and utilities management objectives throughout the state; and inform students, faculty, staff and the general public of the need for and methods of energy conservation and utilities management.
4. Each CSU campus will designate an energy/utilities manager with the responsibility and the authority for carrying out energy conservation and utilities management programs. The Chancellor’s Office will have the responsibility to coordinate the individual campus programs into a systemwide program.
5. The CSU will monitor monthly energy and utility usage on all campuses and the Chancellor’s Office, and will prepare a systemwide annual report on energy utilization and greenhouse gas emissions. The Chancellor’s Office will maintain a systemwide energy database in which monthly campus data will be compiled to produce systemwide energy reporting. Campuses will provide the Chancellor’s Office the necessary energy and utility data, such as electricity and natural gas consumption; water and sewer usage; fuel consumed by fleet vehicles, boats, and ships; waste disposal for the systemwide database in a timely manner.
6. Each CSU campus is encouraged to develop and maintain a campuswide integrated strategic energy resource plan, which will include tactical recommendations in the areas of new construction, deferred maintenance, facility renewal, energy projects, water conservation, solid waste management, and an energy management plan. This plan will guide the overall energy program at each campus.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Biennial Sustainability Report Operational Sustainability Plan (Page 31)
ENERGY
• Complete energy and water audit
• Continue implementing conservation projects
• Complete solar farm project

1. All campus food service organizations should track their sustainable food purchases. Such tracking and reporting will be grounded in the Real Food Challenge guidelines, or equivalent, with consideration to campus requested improvements. Campuses shall strive to increase their sustainable food purchases to 20 percent of total food budget by 2020.
2. Campuses and food service organizations shall collaborate to provide information and/or training on sustainable food service operations to staff and patrons.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

All CSU campuses will pursue water resource conservation to reduce water consumption by 10 percent by 2016, and 20 percent by 2020 including such steps to develop sustainable landscaping, install controls to optimize irrigation water use, reduce water usage in restrooms and showers, and promote the use of reclaimed/recycled water. In the event of a declaration of drought, the CSU will cooperate with the state, city, and county governments to the greatest extent possible to reduce water use.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Biennial Sustainability Report Operational Sustainability Plan (Page 31)
LANDSCAPING
• Continue expanding wireless irrigation
control system
• Create water-wise landscape plans for turf
reduction areas

1. Campuses will promote the use of suppliers and/or vendors who reduce waste, re-purpose recycled material, or support other environmentally friendly practices in the provision of goods or services to the CSU under contract. This may include additional evaluation points in solicitation evaluations for suppliers integrating sustainable practices.
2. To move to zero waste, campus practices should: (1) encourage use of products that minimize the volume of trash sent to landfill or incinerators; (2) participate in the CalRecycle Buy-Recycled program or equivalent; and (3) increase recycled content purchases in all BuyRecycled program product categories.
3. Campuses shall continue to report on all recycled content product categories, consistent with PCC § 12153-12217 and shall implement improved tracking and reporting procedures for their recycled content purchases.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Biennial Sustainability Report Operational Sustainability Plan (Page 31)
PURCHASING
• Require Energy Star for all appliances
and office equipment
• Implement Environmentally Preferred Products
catalog for office supplies
• Identify and reduce purchased items requiring
landfill disposal

The CSU will encourage and promote the use of alternative transportation and/or alternative fuels to reduce GHG emissions related to university associated transportation, including commuter and business travel.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Biennial Sustainability Report Operational Sustainability Plan (Page 31)
COMMUTING
• Continue to subsidize transit for all
students/faculty/staff
• Continue to provide discount fares
to students on Amtrak
• Continue OPTIONS program
• Continue to convert campus core to bicycle/
pedestrian-friendly environment
• Explore options to expand EV charging

1.Campuses shall seek to reduce the solid waste disposal rate by 50 percent (PRC § 42921) by 2016, by 80 percent by 2020, and move to zero waste.
2. The CSU will encourage the reduction of hazardous waste to the extent possible while supporting the academic program.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Biennial Sustainability Report Operational Sustainability Plan (Page 31)
RECYCLING
• Justify, fund, and fill
Zero Waste Coordinator position
• Implement LoadMan data collection system
• Implement Zero Waste for Open House,
SLO Days, and WOW
• Optimize waste collection infrastructure and
pickup frequencies
• Develop and deploy standardized signage

All CSU campuses will pursue water resource conservation to reduce water consumption by 10 percent by 2016, and 20 percent by 2020 including such steps to develop sustainable landscaping, install controls to optimize irrigation water use, reduce water usage in restrooms and showers, and promote the use of reclaimed/recycled water. In the event of a declaration of drought, the CSU will cooperate with the state, city, and county governments to the greatest extent possible to reduce water use.
*CSU Sustainability Policy 2014

Biennial Sustainability Report Operational Sustainability Plan (Page 31)
WATER
• Continue installing water-efficient fixtures
• Continue to monitor water quality
• Identify secondary source of supply
• Evaluate potential sources of recycled water
• Investigate and ameliorate pollution
standard exceedances

ENGAGE AND INCLUDE EVERY STUDENT
IN THE CAL POLY EXPERIENCE
Implement solutions to enhance a 24/7
residential campus community that
promotes academic success
„ Expand Student Afairs’ footprint, stafng
and collaboration with campus partners to
support student programming and service
delivery that ensures campus is the focus of
the student’s Cal Poly experience.
„ Design and renovate residential facilities
that enhance the delivery of high-quality
programs and services integral to students’
academic success and personal development.
„ Partner with Academic Afairs to design
faculty-student interaction programs within
Student Afairs that support academic
success outside the classroom.
X Engage all students through Learn by
Doing experiences outside the classroom
„ Centralize university-wide community
service management within the Center for
Service in Action.
„ Improve the delivery of personal
development services to our student-athletes.
„ Collaborate with Academic Afairs
to formalize academic-credit student
internships within Student Afairs.
„ Enhance professional development training
opportunities in Student Afairs for students
to expand transferable employment skills.
X Create more welcoming and inclusive
co-curricular programs and services
„ Collaborate with chief diversity ofcer
and other campus partners to create a
comprehensive diversity and inclusion
training plan for faculty and staf.
„ Develop new programs and increase
engagement for parents and supporters of
frst-generation students.
„ Create identity-based, pre-WOW groups to
foster a sense of belonging and connection
for underrepresented students.
„ Expand Cross Cultural Centers spaces,
programs, and services to increase a sense of
belonging for all students at Cal Poly.
„ Create a center that supports the religious
and spiritual identities of students and
provides programs and services for students
to explore values, engage in dialogue and
learn about opportunities for interfaith
collaboration.
„ Expand gender-inclusive policies and
infrastructure throughout campus.
X Bolster school spirit for students, alumni
and the community
„ Collaborate with university partners to
build consistent knowledge, skills and best
practices that promote a spirited Cal Poly
brand throughout the university.
„ Build a culture of school pride through more
active engagement of Cal Poly history and
heritage.
„ Secure additional resources to expand
recognized student clubs and organizations.
„ Create large group experiences throughout
the student’s lifecycle to continue student
engagement, school spirit and a sense of
belonging after their frst year.
„ Develop and implement new programs for
students throughout their senior year that
support future success and build strong
connections with Cal Poly.
„ Promote Mustang spirit among alumni,
parents and supporters with expanded
programs, events and online engagement
opportunities.

1. The CSU will develop employee and student workforce skills in the green jobs industry, promote the development of sustainable products and services, and foster economic development.
2. The CSU will pursue sustainable practices in all areas of the university, including:
a. business operations such as procurement; information technology; student services;
food services; facilities operations; design and construction; and
b. self-funded entities such as student housing, student unions, parking, children’s centers, and auxiliary operations.
*California State University Sustainability Policy, CSU Board of Trustees (2014)

Cal Poly fosters teaching, scholarship, and service in a learn-by-doing environment where students, staff, and faculty are partners in discovery. As a polytechnic university, Cal Poly promotes the application of theory to practice. As a comprehensive institution, Cal Poly provides a balanced education in the arts, sciences, and technology, while encouraging cross-disciplinary and co-curricular experiences. As an academic community, Cal Poly values free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

This statement is highlighted on all job descriptions for hiring any position at the university and serves to highlight the value of sustainability at Cal Poly. In order for this statement to be included in all hiring documents it was approved by the University Executive Leadership.

Cal Poly defines sustainability as the ability of the natural and social systems to survive and thrive together to meet current and future needs. The Sustainability Learning Objectives (SLOs) state that all Cal Poly graduates should be able to:
-Define and apply sustainability principles within their academic programs.
-Explain how natural, economic, and social systems interact to foster or prevent sustainability.
-Analyze and explain local, national, and global sustainability using a multidisciplinary approach.
-Consider sustainability principles while developing personal and professional values.

Second Nature
California AB32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, set groundbreaking goals for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The CSU chose to go beyond state mandates in its 2014 Sustainability Policy, aiming to reduce GHG emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2040 – ten years ahead of the state goal. Greenhouse gas emissions are broken down into three categories:

Scope 1 – Direct on-site emissions (combustion of fossil fuel, fleet vehicles, ag ops, refrigerants)
Scope 2 – Emissions from purchased utilities (electricity, water)
Scope 3 – Emissions not under direct control (commuting, business travel, waste water, solid waste)
Under CSU Policy, campuses are responsible to quantify and reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions to reach the 2020 and 2040 goals. Campuses that have signed the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment are also responsible to reduce Scope 3 emissions as part of Climate Action Plans to achieve neutrality as soon as possible. For Earth Day of 2016, President Armstrong made Cal Poly a Charter Signatory to the Climate Leadership Commitment, establishing a goal for Cal Poly to achieve net zero emissions from all sources by 2050.

The Climate Commitment also requires Cal Poly collaborate with local government to achieve Climate Resilience – preparing not only buildings, grounds and infrastructure, but programs and support services to withstand the increasing effects of climate change, such as:

Sea level rise, extended drought, fire, flood, and extreme temperatures
Loss of biodiversity, invasive species, and infectious disease
Disruption of water and energy supply, overloading of community and emergency services

Talloires Declaration
Composed in 1990 at an international conference in Talloires, France, the declaration is the first official statement made by university administrators of a commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education. The Talloires Declaration is a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at colleges and universities. Cal Poly became a signatory of the Talloires Declaration in 2004. With the leadership of President Warren Baker, the passionate commitment of faculty, staff, and students, and the ongoing work of two University Sustainability Committees, significant progress has been made on all ten points of the action plan.