| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 48.10 |
| Liaison | Jen Jones |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2023 |
College of Charleston
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 4.00 |
Jen
Jones Director Center for Sustainable Development |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The university's Quality Enhancement Plan ("Sustainability Literacy as a Bridge to Addressing 21st-Century Problems") details measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and research. Reviewed and committed to by leaders at the highest level of our institution, this QEP has five (5) goals and seven (7) student learning outcomes that apply to the entire student undergraduate body. The five goals are:
1) Build Awareness of the three systems of the Triple Bottom Line of sustainability and how these three systems are related to one another.
2) Cultivate sustainability literacy by developing students’ fluency in systems thinking.
3) Demonstrate the impact of production and consumption practices on the three systems of the Triple Bottom Line.
4) Demonstrate the impact of production and consumption practices on the three systems of the Triple Bottom Line.
5) Students advocate for resiliency at the individual, institutional, community, national or international level
Student learning outcomes were formulated to assess these goals. The student learning outcomes are:
1a) Students identify the three systems of sustainability and the relationship between them.
1b) Students identify key ways to be more sustainable in their personal life and on campus.
2a) Student identify policies and practices that have led to unsustainability.
2b) Student synthesize knowledge from two or more systems to address a sustainability problem.
3a) Students demonstrate the impact of production/consumption practices on social,
economic and/or ecological systems.
4a) Students design a solution to a given sustainability problem.
5a) Students advocate for resiliency at the individual, institutional, community, national or
international level.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) is rooted in a holistic approach to sustainability defined as the creation of a just and equitable society and economy and the fostering of ecological health and human well-being. This approach embraces the interconnections that exist between each facet of the triple bottom line of sustainability to ensure an inclusive and vibrant future for all generations.
The Active Sustainability Culture pilar includes:
- a shared sustainability vision
- justice, equity, diversity & inclusion
- awareness & engagement
- campus outreach
- campus integration
- community engagement
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) is rooted in a holistic approach to sustainability defined as the creation of a just and equitable society and economy and the fostering of ecological health and human well-being. This approach embraces the interconnections that exist between each facet of the triple bottom line of sustainability to ensure an inclusive and vibrant future for all generations.
The first goal of the Sustainability Action Plan is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The second goal of the plan is to become a Zero Waste campus by 2025. Strategies to address these operational goals include:
- GHG management
- Energy demand
- Energy supply
- Transportation
- Operations
- Education
- Materials flow analysis
- Solid waste aversion
- Procurement
- Solid waste diversion
- Systems regeneration
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?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) is rooted in a holistic approach to sustainability defined as the creation of a just and equitable society and economy and the fostering of ecological health and human well-being. This approach embraces the interconnections that exist between each facet of the triple bottom line of sustainability to ensure an inclusive and vibrant future for all generations.
The Active Sustainability Culture pilar includes:
- a shared sustainability vision
- justice, equity, diversity & inclusion
- awareness & engagement
- campus outreach
- campus integration
- community engagement
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
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?:
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?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
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 | No |
| 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) | No |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
CofC is a 2013 signatory of Second Nature's ACUPCC and has a Second Nature's Carbon Commitment.
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:
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.