California State University, Sacramento
EN-6: Assessing Sustainability Culture

The sustainability culture survey was developed through a collaborative effort between a student intern and the Office of Sustainability at Sacramento State. Initially proposed as part of the student's internship project, the assessment aimed to evaluate the campus community's understanding and engagement with sustainability practices. To achieve this, the Office of Sustainability conducted a comprehensive sustainability culture survey. This survey sought to gather insights into the behaviors, values, and beliefs of individuals within the campus community regarding sustainability. The survey process likely involved designing and distributing questionnaires to students, faculty, and staff members, as well as analyzing the collected responses. Through this process, the Office of Sustainability aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the existing sustainability culture on campus, identify areas for improvement, and tailor outreach, education, and programming efforts accordingly. By engaging the campus community in this assessment, the Office of Sustainability demonstrated a commitment to incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences into its initiatives. The insights gathered from the survey are expected to inform strategic decisions and enhance sustainability efforts at Sac State, ultimately fostering a more environmentally conscious and engaged campus community.

Which of the following statements best describes your level of interest in sustainability? I live and breathe sustainability Very Interested Moderately Interested Not Interested As an individual how important is it that Sacramento State is committed to a sustainable future? Extremely important Important Neutral Not important Extremely not important Do you know how to properly sort your waste on campus? Landfill/recycle/compost. Yes No What Sustainability initiatives are you aware of on-campus (Select All That Apply) 2040 Carbon Neutrality Goal 2030 Zero Waste Goal Water Conservation Goals Climate Action Plan Electric Vehicle Charging Stations BACyard CPR Garden Hornet Honey If I have a sustainability project in mind for the Sac State Campus, I know whom to approach to see if it’s feasible or can be implemented Yes No Are you aware of operational/environmental sustainability initiatives on campus? Examples: LEED buildings, renewable energy projects, waste reduction, recycling programs... Very Aware Aware Somewhat aware Not aware Are you aware of social sustainability initiatives on campus? Examples: Antiracism and Inclusive Campus Plan, First-generation student support, Employee Affinity Groups, Pride Center... Very aware Aware Somewhat aware Not Aware What is the largest single source of Sacramento State greenhouse gas emissions? Building Energy Use Transportation (Communting) Construction Solid Waste I have no idea Did you know that Sac State composts food waste from campus eateries? Yes No Please identify at least two renewable (clean) energy sources from the choices below. Please select 2 options. Gasoline Nuclear Solar Coal Wind Are you aware of the Sustainability Steering Committee on Campus? Yes No

The sustainability culture survey was developed through a collaborative effort between a student intern and the Office of Sustainability at Sacramento State. Initially proposed as part of the student's internship project, the assessment aimed to evaluate the campus community's understanding and engagement with sustainability practices. To achieve this, the Office of Sustainability conducted a comprehensive sustainability culture survey. This survey sought to gather insights into the behaviors, values, and beliefs of individuals within the campus community regarding sustainability. The survey process likely involved designing and distributing questionnaires to students, faculty, and staff members, as well as analyzing the collected responses. Through this process, the Office of Sustainability aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the existing sustainability culture on campus, identify areas for improvement, and tailor outreach, education, and programming efforts accordingly. By engaging the campus community in this assessment, the Office of Sustainability demonstrated a commitment to incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences into its initiatives. The insights gathered from the survey are expected to inform strategic decisions and enhance sustainability efforts at Sac State, ultimately fostering a more environmentally conscious and engaged campus community.

The Sustainability Culture Survey conducted at Sacramento State yielded several key findings:

1. Interest in Sustainability: 51% of participants expressed interest in sustainability in some capacity, indicating a significant portion of the campus community is engaged or interested in sustainability initiatives.

2. Importance of Sustainability: An overwhelming majority (97%) of participants believe it is important for Sacramento State to be committed to sustainability and a sustainable future, highlighting strong support for sustainability efforts within the community.

3. Waste Sorting: 85% of participants believe they sort their waste properly while using campus facilities and infrastructure, suggesting a high level of awareness and adherence to waste management practices. 4. Awareness of Sustainability Initiatives: While participants are generally familiar with campus sustainability initiatives, awareness of specific initiatives such as electric vehicle charging stations is limited.

5. Access to Information: Many participants expressed uncertainty about who to approach for ideas and projects related to sustainability, indicating a need for improved communication and accessibility of information.

6. Understanding of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A significant portion (39%) of participants have no idea about the sources of campus greenhouse gas emissions, indicating a potential knowledge gap in this area.

7. Knowledge of Composting: 69% of participants are aware that the campus composts food waste from onsite eateries, indicating a reasonable level of awareness regarding composting practices.

8. Understanding of Renewable Energy: Participants generally demonstrate an understanding of renewable energy sources, suggesting a level of familiarity with sustainable energy concepts.

9. Awareness of Sustainability Committee: A majority (85%) of participants are unaware that the campus has a Sustainability Steering Committee, indicating a need for increased visibility and communication regarding governance structures related to sustainability.

Overall, the results highlight areas of strength and areas for improvement in the campus community's understanding, engagement, and awareness of sustainability practices and initiatives. These findings will inform future outreach, education, and programming efforts aimed at fostering a culture of sustainability at Sacramento State.