Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 61.55
Liaison Melissa Cadwell
Submission Date Jan. 7, 2022

STARS v2.2

Syracuse University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 4.00 Melissa Cadwell
Sustainability Coordinator
Energy Systems & Sustainability Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives 

Academics

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
---

Engagement 

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
---

Operations

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Climate Action Plan: http://sustainability.syr.edu/campus/climate-action-plan/climate-action-plan-progress/ page 4

ENERGY DEMAND
Syracuse University is reducing overall energy consumption.
Established universal guidelines for heating and cooling of occupied spaces. This temperature control ensures that room occupants are comfortable but that rooms are not excessively heated or cooled. Some laboratories, research areas, and archival rooms have additional cooling parameters to serve the needs of the space.

Campus usage reports are created, summarized and reviewed against past year reports. These reports include electricity, natural gas, steam and water. The results are used for upgrades to buildings that will reduce energy consumption.


Renewable Energy Supply
The University is also exploring solar energy production. Solar hot water heating was installed on 20 South Campus residences. This pilot project is estimated to save 300,000 kilowatt hours, avoid 125 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, and supply 50 percent to 60 percent of the energy necessary to heat the water for the residential units.

Administration

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?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Campus Framework provides a systems approach to sustainability that thinks broadly about
campus-wide policies and networks, and it focuses on smaller interventions that encourage individuals to choose sustainable practices every day. As an academic institution, Syracuse University educates members of the campus community through instructional classes and by integrating academics and operations through use of the campus as a living laboratory for sustainability. By supporting grassroots sustainability efforts, events, and informational campaigns, informal education can increase sustainability awareness as well and can catalyze innovative ideas.

Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

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?:
Minor theme

Optional Fields

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?:
No

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) Yes
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter No
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) Yes
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:
o Association of Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
o Second Nature
o New York Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education (NYCSHE), On Steering Committee
o New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3)
o Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium

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.