Carnegie Mellon University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The Green Practices Committee (GPC) is a group of faculty, staff, and students that gathers to discuss and identify opportunities for campus environmental sustainability as well as share challenges and best practices amongst colleagues. The GPC, originally called the Environmental Practices Committee, was charged in April 1999 by the CMU President to develop a plan for expanded environmental practices on campus. The group identified areas of opportunity through study of the current state of environmental practices on campus, initiatives at other college campuses, and discussions with various Carnegie Mellon groups. Sustainability is now integrated into many campus practices, but there are still opportunities to develop university practices that improve environmental quality, decrease waste, and conserve natural resources and energy, thereby establishing Carnegie Mellon as a practical model for other universities and organizations. 

The Sustainability Initiative and it's Steering Committee was charged, by Provost James Garrett, Jr., to 

• Measure engagement with sustainability at CMU using the Global Goals
• Convene Global Goals-themed events that bring together students, staff, and faculty to learn, explore, and develop collaborations
• Work with relevant groups on campus to create support structures for students, staff, and faculty in their efforts to integrate the Global Goals in their education, research, and practices
• Develop strategic external partnerships to advance the integration of the Global Goals in education, research, and practices at CMU and beyond, with a focus on joint work to close data gaps
• Develop and disseminate engaging communications about the Global Goals in education, research, and practices at CMU including through the annual VUR
• Create opportunities to develop, inspire, and support Cohort 2030 global citizens at CMU

Green Practices Committee:

• Deborah Steinberg, Staff co-chair, Green Practices Manager, Facility Management and Campus Services
• Fethiye Ozis, Faculty Co-Chair, Assistant Teaching Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Additional 160+ student, faculty and staff members

Sustainability Initiative Steering Committee:

• Steven Guenther, University Engineer and Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management and Campus Services
• Alexandra Hiniker, Director of the Sustainability Initiative
• Sarah Mendelson, Distinguished Service Professor Of Public Policy and Head Of Heinz College In Washington, DC
• Keith Webster, Helen and Henry Posner Jr. Dean of the University Libraries

Since 2001, there has been a staff position focused on environmental sustainability and managing the Green Practices program, which is situated in the Facilities Management and Campus Services Department. This staffperson coordinates and supports the implementation of university environmental sustainability projects. They encourage the university community to participate in Green Practices, track data, implement new processes and programs, and manage education and engagement initiatives. 

Since 2019, the Sustainability Initiative is Carnegie Mellon University’s commitment to fostering a sustainable future for all by integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or Global Goals, into education, research, and practices. The initiative goes beyond environmental concerns to include social and economic justice, centering equity.

The Green Practices Committee is a group of people that are committed to help guide the university to use sustainable practices in daily operations. We have been meeting regularly over 20 years, and now meet 12 times annually, holding 6 General Body meetings and 6 Working Group meetings. The focus has changed over time, but it has always been an open meeting for any campus green initiative to be discussed and suggestions given for next steps.

The Green Practices Committee (GPC) provides an opportunity for campus to engage in sustainability projects. In the past three years, collaborations that grew out of the GPC included an annual Fix-it Fair, for individuals to reduce waste by mending clothing, a waste audit of the campus student union, compost education programing, and a renewal of the Scotty Goes Green Workplace Certification program. 

www.cmu.edu/environment/

www.cmu.edu/sustainability