Northern Arizona University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Dayna
McKay Data Analyst Office of Sustainability |
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:
1. Sustainable Stewardship of Resources (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
- Climate Action Plan: Develop and implement a Climate Action Plan that responsibly achieves carbon-neutral operations by 2030 and provides educational, research, and community engagement opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
2. Impactful Scholarship (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
-Leverage the teacher-scholar model: Increase the number and diversity of students engaged in mentored research, scholarship, and creative activities by broadening access to transformative learning opportunities.
3. Commitment to Indigenous Peoples (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
-Indigenous Peoples-focused coursework and programming: Ensure that NAU students and employees gain knowledge and understanding of the sovereignty of Indigenous Nations and Indigenous Peoples’ cultures, arts, contributions, self-determination, and traditional ways of knowing.
4. Utilize the university's expertise in climate science, climate justice, and sustainability to advance academic programs, scholarship, and community engagement for a more sustainable future (Presidential Climate Action Commitment).
These objectives directly address sustainability in curriculum and research by promoting engagement with Indigenous Peoples' knowledge and culture and by committing to carbon-neutral operations and climate-related educational opportunities.
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:
1. Community Engagement (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
-Enhance the culture of community engagement: Build new and expand existing mutually beneficial partnerships to promote civic responsibility, contribute to the public good, and advance knowledge and service throughout Arizona and beyond.
2. Mission-driven and Diverse Faculty and Staff (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
-Shared responsibility for diversity, equity, and inclusion: Foster a culture of shared responsibility for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice-centered institutional practices to support the community in pursuit of excellence.
3. Sustainable Stewardship of Resources (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
-Diversify revenue streams: Accelerate institutional priorities by advocating for public investments, partnering with public and private organizations, expanding relationships with foundations, and pursuing grants, contracts, and additional revenue streams.
4. Student Success (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
-Improve student momentum and post-graduation success: Support students’ well-being, sense of belonging, academic success, leadership development, and career preparation, contributing to a more just, equitable, inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future.
These objectives emphasize engagement within the community, among students and staff, and with external partners, all geared toward fostering a sustainable and inclusive environment.
5. Campus Sustainability (Design Guidelines and Technical Standards, the highest guiding operational document).
- Survey building occupants/users to gather suggestions for sustainable design, maintenance, and operational improvements
- Educate building users about resource consumption through smart metering and informative displays.
- Promote engagement through interpretation methods, using signage and displays to educate users about sustainable building features.
6. Promote behavioral change among students, faculty, and staff to support sustainability efforts, including energy and water conservation (Presidential Climate Action Commitment).
7. Commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 through intentional institution-wide efforts, allocation of resources, and implementation of strategies across operations, academics, and engagement (Presidential Climate Action Commitment).
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:
1. Sustainable Stewardship of Resources (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
-Sustainable Smart Campus Master Plan: Develop and implement a Sustainable Smart Campus Master Plan that effectively reimagines how resources are utilized and improved to optimally deliver all aspects of the university's mission.
-Climate Action Plan: Implement a Climate Action Plan that achieves carbon-neutral operations by 2030 and provides educational, research, and community engagement opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
-Technological Infrastructure: Provide advanced technological infrastructure and services to propel institutional advancement.
These objectives focus on making operations more sustainable by reducing carbon emissions, optimizing resource use, and enhancing technological infrastructure to support the institution's overall sustainability goals.
2. Campus Sustainability (Design Guidelines and Technical Standards).
- Incorporate window glazing selections that enhance energy efficiency while considering building orientation.
- Specify durable materials suitable for the high-altitude desert climate conditions to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Optimize building envelope design to exceed ASHRAE baseline standards for energy efficiency by at least 30%.
- Minimize building size and footprint while still meeting program requirements to conserve resources.
- Implement proper window shading techniques based on window orientation to reduce heat gain and glare.
- Select HVAC and electrical systems that balance energy efficiency with ease of maintenance and lifecycle costs.
- Conduct energy modeling to assess energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, informing design decisions.
- Plan for a "100-year Building" with flexible spaces and standard furniture to ensure long-term functionality and reuse.
- Specify low-maintenance materials to simplify upkeep and ensure long-term sustainability.
- Adhere to ASHRAE 189.1 standards for high-performance green buildings in all new construction and renovations.
- Implement waste management practices by tracking waste and recycling figures and identifying diversion opportunities.
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:
1. Mission-driven and Diverse Faculty and Staff (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
- Equitable policies and practices: Develop and implement equitable policies and practices to enhance the recruitment, retention, professional development, and evaluation of diverse faculty and staff, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
2. Sustainable Stewardship of Resources (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
- Diversify revenue streams: Diversify revenue streams to accelerate institutional priorities by advocating for public investments, partnering with organizations, expanding relationships with foundations, and pursuing grants, contracts, and additional revenue sources.
3. Student Success (NAU's 2025 strategic plan – Elevating Excellence).
- Student well-being: Improve student momentum and post-graduation success by supporting students' economic, physical, and mental well-being, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and providing robust support for academic success, leadership development, and career preparation.
These objectives address various aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainable finance, and well-being within the university community, reflecting the commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment while also ensuring financial and personal well-being.
4. Appoint a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), who will lead sustainability efforts, coordinate university divisions, and drive progress toward carbon neutrality through infrastructure investments, behavioral changes, and policy enhancements (Presidential Climate Action Commitment).
- Strengthen sustainability efforts by adding personnel, including a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), Sustainability Manager, Sustainability Data Analyst, Energy/Water Manager, and Conservation Program Coordinator. These roles will address various aspects of energy, water, behavioral changes, and data analysis to drive carbon neutrality.
5. Campus Sustainability (Design Guidelines and Technical Standards).
- Pursue LEED certification for all new construction and renovations, following USGBC LEED standards and project management software registration.
- Conduct Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis for proposed design elements with higher initial costs, considering environmental, economic, and social factors.
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:
Taken from the 2025 strategic plan, Elevating Excellence, endorsed by the Arizona Board of Regents:
"Sustainable Stewardship of Resources: NAU will effectively utilize our physical, technological, and financial resources in support of our vision and mission, with a commitment to the responsible use of environmental resources, innovative use of technology, and mission-driven financial investments and philanthropic activity."
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
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 | --- |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | --- |
| SDG Accord | --- |
| 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:
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.