Lehigh University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 goals (this is a sampling):
1) Develop a sustainability framework for use in college-level strategic planning efforts by 2021. Work with deans to utilize the framework
to integrate sustainability into college strategic plans by 2023.
2) Establish at least one sustainability learning outcome in each of the five colleges by 2025 and ensure each learning outcome collectively addresses sustainability as an integrated concept having social, economic and environmental dimensions.
3) Cover sustainability-focused curricular integration and experiential learning opportunities in new faculty orientation each fall, starting in 2021.
4) Create and launch the Campus Sustainable Impact Fellowship program by spring 2021 merging Lehigh’s operational sustainability goals with active learning and applied research for faculty and students. Determine ways to
provide support for faculty engagement.

The 2030 Plan was finalized and adopted in October 2020. It has a focus area called Educational Experience with associated goals.

Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 goals (this is a sampling):
1) Expand the Sustainable Office Program to reach 70% of fulltime faculty and staff by 2024, 85% by 2026 and 100% by 2030.
2) Fully integrate the Eco-Rep Leadership Program in residence halls and Greek houses by reaching 80% awareness among residents by 2024 and 90-100% by 2027. Increase campus event participation by 15% per academic year.
3) Create two annual competitions between Lehigh and Lafayette for Campus Race to Zero Waste (RecycleMania) and Energy Conservation Month by 2022.
4) Conduct a comprehensive sustainability training with First Year
Experience staff and international orientation leaders each spring starting in 2021. Ensure sustainability is omnipresent throughout all orientations by developing an integration plan, implementing the plan in phases and fully implementing by 2025.

The 2030 Plan was finalized and adopted in October 2020. It has a focus area called Culture & Engagement with associated goals.

Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 goals (this is a sampling):
1) Conduct a waste characterization study of a few key buildings in 2021 and implement a zero-waste pilot program in those buildings in 2022. Establish a taskforce and develop a broader campus zero-waste strategy by 2024 that outlines a roadmap to a zero-waste campus by 2030.
2) Develop a Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) by the end of 2021 that identifies green infrastructure and low-impact development (LID) projects and provides guidelines for the design team to help mitigate stormwater runoff impacts and treat rainwater as a resource rather than as a waste product. Ensure alignment of the SMP with municipal, regional and state priorities. Implement the SMP recommendations in phases by 2030.
3) Develop a Forest Stewardship Plan by 2023 and implement it in phases by 2030.
4) Install an electric bicycle hub on Asa Packer Campus by 2022. Assess additional locations and install additional hubs through 2030, as demand increases.

The 2030 Plan was finalized and adopted in October 2020. It has a focus area called Campus Operations with associated goals.

Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 goals (this is a sampling):
1) Establish the Principles of a Sustainable Campus Community by 2022, similar to the Principles of an Equitable Community. Incorporate the principles into the bLUeprint program, new staff and faculty orientation, senior administration position descriptions, job searches and interviews by 2023.
2) Develop a best in class LEAN process improvement strategy to enhance operational efficiencies and change the campus culture. Implement the strategy across the university by 2025.
3) Work with retirement investment firms to offer environmental social governance
(ESG) investment options for Lehigh faculty and staff for their 401k and
403b investments by 2022.
4) Re-envision the Green Revolving Fund with a revised framework and an advisory committee in 2021. Work with Development and Alumni Relations to develop donor support for the fund.

The 2030 Plan was finalized and adopted in October 2020. It has a focus area called Focused Leadership with associated goals.

Lehigh defines sustainability as the integration of social equity, environmental stewardship and economic prosperity into campus-wide administrative, academic and operational processes. We recognize that we must combine our individual and collective energy to coordinate efforts across campus for the benefit of Lehigh and the community at large. `

Lehigh University is committed to achieving sustainability in action, thought, and practice. To this end, a series of guidelines and commitments have been put into place that lay out a path to sustainability. These documents define the path forward: goals and directives focused on achieving environmental, economic, and social sustainability at Lehigh University.

Climate Commitment: A 2009 document that pledges to make environmental sustainability and climate change an institutional priority. Lehigh is also in the process of finalizing a Climate Action Strategy in 2022.

Diversity Commitments: A series of commitments including The Principles of Our Equitable Community, a list of nine core principles that serve as the foundation of our university community. Lehigh also released a Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Plan 2021-2026.

Energy Policy: A 2014 document (last revised in August 2019) that outlines how Lehigh will reduce energy consumption and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions on its campuses through infrastructural and technical strategies as well as everyday efforts of students, faculty, staff, and university visitors (the “university community”).

Website URL: http://sustainability.lehigh.edu/commitments


Sustainability planning was not impacted by COVID-19 and therefore is representative of a normal year.