Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 74.33
Liaison Austin Eriksson
Submission Date Dec. 10, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

California State University, Northridge
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.75 / 4.00 Austin Eriksson
Sustainability Program Manager
FPDC
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

Sustainability is one of the University 7 Priorities:

Sustainability
A focus on sustainability achieves cost savings, represents responsible stewardship of the university’s physical resources, and prepares knowledgeable graduates who will also be leaders and stewards of the earth’s resources. California State University, Northridge is already a leader with sustainable buildings, efficient practices, reduced energy and water usage, and the generation and use of alternative energy. Further, the university’s focus on sustainability promotes educational experiences for students.

Consider and implement as appropriate recommendations of the campus sustainability plan draft submitted by the Institute for Sustainability, including enhanced curricular offerings.
Continue to advance sustainable and green practices with regard to facilities design and utilization, facilities and grounds maintenance, and business processes, thereby reducing waste and energy consumption.
Continue to move paper-based processes online.


A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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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)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
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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)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):

Water Action Plan
Strategic Energy Management Plan
Resilient Northridge - A plan for a better community and Campus


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Expand education on sustainability principles and practices to entire campus population
2. Increase formal educational offerings in sustainability
3. Increase opportunities for hands-on student learning in sustainability
4. Increase research opportunities in sustainability

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Expand education on sustainability principles and practices to entire campus population
2. Increase formal educational offerings in sustainability
3. Increase opportunities for hands-on student learning in sustainability
4. Increase research opportunities in sustainability

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Incorporate the objectives defined for sustainability into established campus, division, and program planning processes.
2. Improve coordination, infrastructure, data collection and record keeping in support of sustainability efforts.
3. Utilize sustainability as a branding opportunity, particularly for recruitment.

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
- Partner with Metro and other agencies to bring major bus lines to the CSUN Transit Station
With the CSUN Transit Center up and running, having major transit lines connect to CSUN encourage the use of buses by the CSUN community. Work to bring LADOT's DASH bus service to the campus transportation center.
- Partner with Metro, LADOT and the City to solve connectivity issues between CSUN and major
transit hubs. Direct links or minimal transfers are important in encouraging the use of public transportation. Under this strategy, identifying transit routes with multiple transfers and indirect links to the CSUN campus and providing direct transit service from areas where a large number of CSUN students live is important.

These goals and strategies can be found in our Climate Action Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_CAP_IS_final_0.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:

California State University, Northridge’s Climate Action Plan will achieve 1990 greenhouse gas levels by 2020 and net zero emissions (carbon neutrality) by 2040. This significantly exceeds the target set by the CSU Chancellor’s Office to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions to 80% of their 1990 value by 2040. This document defines a path to achieving these goals and describes the strategies which will be employed.

In meeting the goal to become carbon neutral by 2040, the following intermediate milestones have been established.

Reduce commuting carbon footprint to below 1990 levels by 2020
Reduce total GHG emissions to below 1990 levels by 2020
Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emission levels to 50% below 1990 levels by 2030
Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emission levels to 80% below 1990 levels by 2035
Reduce Scope 3 GHG emission levels to 50% below 1990 levels by 2035

These goals and strategies can be found in our Climate Action Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_CAP_IS_final_0.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Improve means to measure, report and communicate energy consumption at a building/unit level
2. Improve physical infrastructure to save energy through efficiency and conservation measures
3. Increase energy-related education and outreach to students, faculty and staff, and
implement program to change behavior
4. Increase energy supplied from renewable and clean sources
5. Establish and implement strict building standards for new construction

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Improve means to measure, report and communicate energy consumption at a building/unit level
2. Improve physical infrastructure to save energy through efficiency and conservation measures
3. Increase energy-related education and outreach to students, faculty and staff, and
implement program to change behavior
4. Increase energy supplied from renewable and clean sources
5. Establish and implement strict building standards for new construction

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Increase campus food sources that are sustainable
2. Increase the availability of fresh, healthy vegetarian/vegan options on campus
3. Provide nutrition and sustainability information for foods from campus food services.

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Plan Strategies:
- Identify and implement alternatives to synthetic fertilizers
- Develop a set of sustainable operations and maintenance standards
- Conduct on-site composting to generate organic fertilizer for use on campus grounds

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf

Climate Action Plan Strategies:
Migrate Grounds Equipment to Battery Powered
CSUN has a grounds department that is in charge of maintaining 356 acres of landscaping. The grounds department uses a variety of tools and equipment on a daily basis to complete their tasks. Many of these items are powered by traditional gasoline. This strategy will target these types of equipment and replace them with comparable electric battery powered versions.
Strategies:
- Evaluate all gas powered weed whackers, edgers, blowers and push mowers for
replacement with electric battery powered versions.
- Evaluate the feasibility of an electric ride on mower

These goals and strategies can be found in our Climate Action Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_CAP_IS_final_0.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Reduce overall product consumption
2. Increase the use of sustainable products
3. Increased awareness regarding sustainable purchasing and consumption

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Reduce total number of commuting miles
2. Reduce use of single occupancy vehicles for commuting
3. Reduce emissions associated with vehicle use on campus

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Reduction of total waste generated by the campus (including landfill, recycling, and other disposal methods)
2. Increase diversion of wastes from landfills
3. Increased awareness of waste, recycling and related issues
4. Improve collection and access of waste related data and information

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
1. Improve conservation practices and reduce water consumption
2. Improve data collection, management and analysis
3. Increase awareness of water as a valuable resource and educate on water conservation principles

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategies:
- Continue efforts to attract a diverse faculty and staff who work effectively with our diverse student population.

These goals and strategies can be found in the University Planning Priorities:
https://www.csun.edu/investiture/csun-shines-next-decade-planning-and-priorities-engaged-institution


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategeis:
- Increase investment in renewable energy: 10% from renewables by 2023
- Increase investment in renewable energy technologies that can be integrated into academic and research programs

These goals and strategies can be found in our Sustainability Plan: https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/CSUN_Sust_Plan-m.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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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)? :
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The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
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Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment Yes
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.